los angeles men's fashion and beauty photographer ronald n. tan

Photographing nudes is a liberating experience. Year 2009 is a time for change and challenges in both my personal and professional life. I am facing new experiences recently that has been affecting me personally. Growing up in a culture where anything discussing or relating to sex was considered taboo, I had an interesting experience growing up. Particularly for me, not everyone in my family knows that I play for an “alternative sports team.” Get it? =) I always felt embarrassed or shameful to admire the elusive beauty in men.

Long story short, I came out at age 25 in 2006. I made a decision that I will not be afraid and decided to love myself. I came out to Kirsty Hawkshaw’s “Just Be Me”. This initial liberating experience gave me the courage and confidence to chase after my dreams and living my life. At 28, I feel my journey just started.

A few blog posts before, I introduced Armando whom I met on ModelMayhem.com. I’ve earnt the trust and confidence from Armando and he helped me explored the sensitive and intricate side of photography.

I treated Armando with respect making sure he was comfortable at all times. I asked Armando to undress and to start when he’s ready and comfortable.

I was very appreciative of Armando’s help. I have always respected and admired my male models. I’ll update my website with the rest of the photographs.

I found the HQ YouTube version. Check out my muse Nathan in the clip!

Esmee Denters\’ \”Outta Here\” Feat. model Nathan Owens @ Wilhelmina LA

I am going to call him “Edward” and I find him breathtakingly beautiful.

On Friday, I spent the majority of my day editing pictures and working on prototypes. Here are some previews.

I found someone I really like but the person is already involved with someone. Strange how attraction works. This person showed me photographs of his S.O. although that is a huge age gap, they were committed.

The person is adorable and had a great personality. I hope to meet the person again! =)

Check out his MM profile! http://www.modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=1030268

I’ll be helping him find an agency here in LA. He’s a wonderful person and professional. Showed up early to the test. I was in the middle of brewing my tea (chai). I had to stop to greet and welcome him.

I am also adding Armando to my texture portraits so I took source images prior to our quickie test.

I don’t think I’d ever want to leave. The Indian gov’t would have to boot me out! I will NOT be shamed in what I find beautiful and I truly find East Indian men beautiful–they’re my kryptonite.

I was introduced to Freddy by my “unofficial bhaiya” and photographer friend in Mumbai, Sayan Surroy.

I took a photo of Freddy July 21, 2008.

I logged into my old ModelMayhem.com profile that I created when I decided to teach myself photography back in 2006. As you know, I taught myself photography and retouching the year before I relocated to Los Angeles in May 07 to chase after my dreams of being a photographer.

Anyway, I was looking at ALL the old tags people have left on that MM page and seeing how much I’ve accomplished in so little time and THANKFUL of ALL the PEOPLE and MODELS that has helped me.

One of these I’d like to thank is Eddie Smith, IV. These photographs I found on his MM page are shot around the late 2006 maybe early 2007. IGNORE the upload date. I have lost the RAW files from this shoot along with other digital RAW files. from my early days. What I did save are my 35mm Fujichromes–the IMAGES of my dogs and mantids that were my FIRST-EVER models!

I finally joined the Twittersphere! =)

http://twitter.com/ronaldntan

Check out Nathan in Esmee Denters’ “Outta Here” music video!

http://www.tmf.nl/video/24761/esmee_denters_outta_here.html

So happy for him. =)