THE MEN FIND HIM: in conversation with The Gagger’s Edwin Pabon
More : Alvin Baltrop, Edwin Pabon, Herb Ritz, male models, Male nude, New York City, NYC photography, The Gagger
New Yorker Edwin Pabon (pronounded pa-BONE) has a big, hot, tradition to live up to as a photographer of male erotica. We caught up with him to talk about his delicious male models and the method behind his butt-loving Tumblr blog THE GAGGER for our Valentine’s and New York issues.
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New Yorker Edwin Pabon (pronounded pa-BONE) has a big, hot, tradition to live up to as a photographer of male erotica. Mapplethorpe, Baltrop, Ritz, Mogutin… there’s something about the concentration of sickeningly sexy men in NYC that sets the bar high. Pabon’s delicious photo blog The Gagger had us gagging to find out: how does he find these gorgeous MEN?
2B: How long have you been doing erotic and fashion photography and what got you into it?
Edwin Pabon: I started taking pictures of my lover and he was my first muse. We were in my apartment in Puerto Rico three years ago and I had a tacky 6-pixel digital camera – it was a step up from a camera phone. I took a couple shots of him and I thought they came out good. At the same time I had a job as a fashion stylist [where] the photographer I worked with took me under his wing and taught me a lot of the technical side of photography.
2B: Your Gagger Tumblr is really hot, which is how we found you. I love the inspirational messages you include there too (see “Everything you’re running away from is in your head”). Where do they come from?
EP: On Tumblr I don’t like to reblog other people’s photographs – I only reblog art, gifs and quotes. And every quote I post has some special meaning for me. I use the quotes to give you something else to think about. I have you on my page looking at my pictures, so I’m giving you something else that you can also relate to.
2B: How do you find your MEN?
EP: THE MEN FIND ME!!!
2B: Like many hot up-and-coming New Yorkers, you’re Puertorriqueño. What is it with gay Puerto Ricans and fame lately?
EP: I’m actually a Nuyorican! I grew up in Manhattan and in Puerto Rico. Latin kids have always brought it – now people are just finally seeing it!
2B: Who are your gay inspirations, for photography, culture or in society?
EP: My inspirations are Herb Ritz, and currently I’m very fond of Marc Jacobs – I think she’s a fierce queen. I think he represents what America could be if it were a little more fierce. I love Avedon and I love Mert & Marcus. To me they’re the most exciting thing that’s happened in a long time. I think what they do with digital manipulation is amazing. And I’ve always loved the aesthetic of Calvin Klein.
"Kennedy Carter" by Edwin Pabon (THE GAGGER, 2011)
2B: I love the way you shoot each of your men in a way that brings out their best features (Kennedy Carter’s ass, for example). What’s your attitude on a shoot?
EP: First of all I like to clear out my energy on a shoot. I want the spirit to be fresh and playful. I need the subject to feel very comfortable. Many times I’ve never had them in front of my lens before, so I need to figure out what it is about each subject that makes them special. Sometimes I get lucky and the first shot is perfection – that’s a good day. But many times I’m asking them to flex their abs and twist and hold their breath all the while looking relaxed and sexy and happy. I’m sure some of them hate me by the end! But they’re always super happy with the final result…
Check out Edwin Pabon’s NSFW Tumblr blog, The Gagger at:
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