Brandon Marc's Modeling Blog

anecdotes from a model who's not afraid to use his noodle

Archetype - the Conundrum

Brandon_1

Test Shoot with Fashion Photographer:  Chad Elliot Hirata
Location:  Haleiwa, Hawaii
Call time:  5:30 pm rain or shine
Styling:  jacket by Guess, slacks and tank top by Armani Exchange, boots by Energie

When I heard San Francisco fashion photographer Chad Hirata was in town, I asked him for a test shoot without missing a beat.  A rare opportunity to work with a trained professional right in my back yard -- Chad's accolades include Ford Models, Wilhelmina Models, City Model Management, and Vidal Sassoon, coupled with formal training in Academy of Art University in San Francisco.  Fall never felt so good.  <3

Interview: Chatting with Barry part deux

Happy Power Thursday!  Get those reading glasses out to read my interview with MyPearlCity.com's editor Barry Villamil about my recent acting experiences joining AFTRA, and working on the CBS series Hawaii Five-O.  I'd like to thank Barry for his time, and my Pearl City High School for always being my rock!  <3

Nexus of Time

Photographer:  Leo Lieu
Hair:  Leo for M. Matoi Hair Studio
Styling:  jacket by Spinal Cord, black denim by Diesel Gold, shirt by Zara, boots by Energie
Post-shoot entree:  Black mushrooms on choy sum & cake noodle

October 11, 2099 - Venturing through the industrial dystopia, I found it to be a barren landscape on the surface.  But at a closer glance, I realized there was life bustling down below in the catacombs filled with smells and sounds of prosperous revolution.  What is this new world I have stumbled upon? 

Photoshoot: Modern Americana

Client:  Deerstop Photography
Photographer:  Calvin Coloma
Location:  Cosmopolitan (Las Vegas, NV)
Call time:  5:00 p.m.

I spent a sizzling summer night shooting with fashion photographer and friend Calvin Coloma of Deerstop Photography in the dazzling (albeit sinful) city of Las Vegas.  A man of many talents, Calvin conceptualized this editorial as a tribute to Americana remixed with an Asian American twist.  This editorial chronicles a classic American visual interpretation of a wayward traveler through LV's modern scene. 

Photoshoot: Stylish Citizens of Jakarta

 

Client:  Dewi Gaya Kosmopolitan
Photographer:  Atri Anggirani 
Styling:  Reinard Grevin
Studio Director:  Studio351
Location:  Jakarta, Indonesia
Call time:  8:00 p.m. (jam karet, forgiving)

In summer 2011, my travels took me to Jakarta, Indonesia where I met Atri and Reinard, two young contributors to the Javanese fashion scene.  Atri, photographer and graphic designer for national fashion magazine Dewi Gaya Kosmopolitan, bought us studio time in the heart of Jakarta's urban jungle.  Reinard's military influenced pieces conveyed a concept of "Stylish Citizens" fresh from his runway show in Singapore.  Next stop:  Tokyo! 

Welcome to F/W 2010

 

Photographer:  Brandon Tabiolo
Hair:  W Salon using Shu Uemura Shape Paste and Finishing Spray
Styling: military peacoat by Sisley, jeans by UniQlo NYC, shirt by D&G
Temperature:  82F and then some! 

The truth is Brandon and I began working on this fall/winter 2010 series months ago.  Instead of shooting on-location at a gorgeous Hawaiian beach, we took our time thinking about where we want to be and who we want to become.  Fast forward two seasons and here is the fruit of our labors:  wintery portraits shot in Hawaii to mark the coming of fall and winter.  Sure, the Brandons didn't invent winter, but we'd like to think we made it more fashionable.  <3 
Inspiration shots of Spanish supermodel Andres Segura Velencoso also included. 

Brand New Day

 

Photographer:  Brandon Tabiolo
Hair:  W Salon using Shu Uemura Shape Paste and Finishing Spray
Styling: sweater by Burberry Black Label
Call time:  10:00 a.m.
Location:  Downtown Honolulu

Hawaii wouldn't be Hawaii without Brandon Tabiolo.  Commercial photographer + graphic designer in one, Brandon has a keen aesthetic eye to the beauty that lies within the subjects he shoots as well as the locations he shoots them in.  When I first moved back to Hawaii over a year ago, I had already heard of Brandon Tabiolo as the 'it' photographer to work with.  The vibrant colors and tropical settings captured in his photos brought familiar warmth of Hawaiian beaches as I perused his website in my wintery DC basement apartment.  At last, after months of being camera shy during intense fitness training, I emerged ready to celebrate my homecoming with the photographer I consider to be Hawaii's best. 

Chatting with Barry Villamil

Interview2

Happy Monday beautiful people!  Get your reading glasses out so that you can read my interview with MyPearlCity.com's editor Barry Villamil.  This was a particularly humbling interview, as Barry asked about my early experiences in high school and college that influenced my decision to pursue modeling as a professional career.  I'd like to thank Barry for his time, and my Pearl City High School teachers who taught me to be determined, resourceful and a proud graduate of a Hawaii public school!  <3

Photo shoot: Back 2 Basics

Img_5291_edit

Photographer:  Michael Bonner
Hair:  Thi Nguyen of W Salon using Shu Uemura
Styling: shirt by H&M, jeans by Joe's Jeans, tie photographer's own
Post-shoot drink of choice:  Ginger Ale at the Top of Waikiki 

Dear Diary,
My body is going through all sorts of changes.  There are lines and curves around my muscles where there wasn't before.  I've gained a whopping six pounds in the past three months of fitness training and can't stop eating peanut butter.  Am I normal?  Anyway, at least the shoot with Michael Bonner went extremely well.  I was even styled by the talented Thi Nguyen, Artistic Director of W Salon.  Together, we brought to life a 70's school yard punk who ain't toning down for anyone.  I'm usually not this naughty, but I really have no choice when wearing Joe's Jeans and practicing the art of behaving badly.  Whew!  Recounting all of this excitement has exhausted me.  Well, I guess that's all for tonight, diary.  Should I start calling you journal since I'm a guy?  Well, I'm glad you're comfortable with your masculinity. 
Good night,
BMT

Top 5 favorite of The United Colors of Benetton's It's:My:Time

New_picture_1

 

Happy Monday, beautiful people!  I woke up to a pleasant surprise from a fellow model, who pointed out that I was featured as a top pick for one of the United Colors of Benetton casting agents.  In her words ...  
I was looking for extraordinary people. People who have the so called 'x factor' and stand out of the rest. Also I picked five totally different persons. From red to blonde and from long hair to short. I hope you'll like my five favourite entries!
I'm so thankful for being picked for this short list among over 65,000 contestants.  My thanks goes out to Tony and Walter, who are the geniuses behind the portfolio I used for this contest. 
Find out more on "The Best of It's:My:Time" for what they said about my eyes, and more!