EXCLUSIVE: Barack Obama's L.A. Fundraiser - video

Our friend and contributor Lewis Payton (you've seen many of his photographs on these pages), attended the Obama fundraiser last night in Beverly Hills, and sent us this exclusive report, which includes video of Obama's speech, in two parts. Part one is below, part two AFTER THE JUMP:

An estimated 800 guests turned out at the Regency Beverly Wilshire hotel in Beverly Hills last night. With performances by Ben Harper and Barbra Streisand, a relatively somber Barack Obama spoke to the celebrity filled crowd, all of whom contributed at least $2500 each to attend. "This should be a celebratory evening," he said. "But the truth is that I'm in a different mood tonight. Partly because we saw this week a storm sweep through the gulf, and over the last few days we've had news of the worst financial crisis that we've had in generations."

Obama spoke, without notes or teleprompter, for 20 minutes. While media were banned from the event, his speech left no doubt as to why he was in town. "It's nice to have Barbra and Ben singing, but that's not what this is about. It's about a struggle for the future, a struggle for the next generation, it's about who we are as a country and who we are as a people, and this is a serious fight, and I intend to win it, but I'm going to need your help."

The event, along with the $28,500 a head dinner that preceded it, was estimated to raise over $9 million for Obama's campaign. McCain's campaign attacked the event as "another example of Obama's out of touch celebrity," even though McCain guested at a similar, albeit far less successful, fundraising event in Hollywood last month.

— Lewis Payton

Part two of Obama's speech, AFTER THE JUMP...

You can visit Lewis at his website...

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All About Andre: Part Two

Here are the outtakes I promised from the Lewis Payton spread in DNA magazine I posted yesterday featuring newcomer Andre.

Three more shots after the jump...

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One note of correction: The sofa photo above is in the magazine, while the sofa photo I published yesterday is not. Additionally, yesterday's reclining blue swimsuit photo and the mudbath close-up are also exclusive to Towleroad.

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All About Andre: An Exclusive DNA Preview

Here's a special treat for you this Tuesday. A preview of the latest DNA magazine, which contains the biggest photo spread in the magazine's history, photographed by our friend Lewis Payton. I think it's some of Lewis' most inspired work to date. Click photos to enlarge.

Lewis writes: "This shoot was a fairly massive undertaking in so many ways - weeks of set up and execution, 23 hours flying each way - it was the biggest project I've ever undertaken. It's for DNA's grooming issue, and in addition to the photos, I wrote a six page feature reviewing Bali's Best Luxury Spas. I had to schlep my way through some of the most insane pampering imaginable, every day for two whole weeks, so I could let you know how to tell your sea salt exfoliation from your coconut body scrub. If you've got some $$$ to throw around, I highly recommend a spa break. Those two weeks took about ten years off my life. Post Bali existence has been a total drag. No butlers picking up my shit, no evening cocktails in my private swimming pool, no organic French facials, or Almond Milk and Ginger body splashes. I've tried to recreate the 'spa experience' back home, but my bath taps spit rust-colored waters and the dirt and dust blowing over from the construction site opposite my apartment pretty much clogs my pores as soon as I've stepped out of the shower. I've settled for a $30 mani/pedi at Happy Nails (they validate!) and nightly prayer rituals that Travel & Leisure are about to call with a job..." (more below)

"The model for this shoot is Andre (his website), who actually started as one of my assistants before I suggested a stint in front of the camera. Andre's a triple threat of looks, smarts and charm. Check out his new blog for a dose of all three. He's got a unique writing voice and a great visual eye. I should be feeling threatened by the competition, but he's just too darned sweet to have bumped off! "

More shots after the jump...

Tune in tomorrow for a few exclusive outtakes...

And thanks Lewis Payton and to DNA magazine, one of Towleroad's longtime advertisers.

Andre Bolourchi [website]
Launchpad [andre's blog]

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Postcard from Bali

Our friend Lewis Payton has been overseas working on a photography project and sent us a special postcard of his latest subject, Andre.

Lewis writes, "Bali is incredible! The tourism industry here took a huge hit after the terrorist bombings of 2002 and 2005, so I wanted to come here and show the world (well at least the readers of Towleroad and DNA!) what an extraordinarily beautiful culture and country the Balinese have. Unlike the rest of Indonesia, which is predominately Muslim, most of Bali's population are Hindu, and this spiritual faith is on evidence throughout the island. This has been the most special shoot I've ever experienced."

You can look forward to next week when you'll be seeing more of Andre on these pages.

What's Andre saying? Oh yeah, we have T-shirts again for those who are interested!
Info here.

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Marco Dapper in the Desert: An Exclusive DNA Preview

You may have seen up-and-coming actor/model Marco Dapper in the recent gay film Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds. Or, after having seen these shots, you may want to see him. In any case, he's he main attraction in the current issue of DNA (which we must disclose is a longtime advertiser on this site). Click images to enlarge.

Towleroad readers will recognize who took the shots - our good friend Lewis Payton. Lewis decided to make part of the shoot (against the white walls) an homage to the vintage Calvin Klein underwear shots from days of old. We'd say Dapper fits the underwear, er, the bill, perfectly.

More shots after the jump!!!

No reprint without permission of the photographer. Thanks to DNA and Lewis Payton.

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Lewis Payton Gifts Us with Todd Sanfield

Just in time for gift-giving, Lewis Payton shakes us out of our holiday stupor with a preview of his most recent spread for DNA magazine. It features one of his latest finds, Todd Sanfield.

Lewis chatted with me a bit about this latest shoot: "DNA shoots are normally pretty intense, two day affairs, but this time, I decided to take a somewhat more relaxed approach. We shot on location in Miami and Key West over five days. I know very few people have any sympathy for my job, but it really can be a huge amount of pressure to shoot up to 20 pages of editorial and a cover on the usual schedule of two days. It was so great to actually have the time to enjoy the location and the people on the shoot. Key West has got the best of the tropics and a distinct southern charm and architecture.

This was my third visit to Island House - it's becoming somewhat of a second home for me here in the U.S.! In a funny twist, a lot of guests didn't know what we were doing there and a rumor spread around the resort that I must be either a)incredibly well endowed or b) a sexual dynamo, or both, to have landed such a hot guy! It pained me to shoot that one down...well, the fact that it was a work only relationship, not a) or b)!

I have absolutely no doubt that Todd Sanfield is going to be huge. He has an intense work ethic and drive and a really amiable and generous disposition. Oh yeah, and there's the body chiseled from stone and the smoldering good looks...and did I mention he's smart? Todd was pre-med before deciding to give modeling a run for a couple of years. He got snapped up by IMG about an hour after sending them some digital photos from his home state of Michigan."

Click to enlarge. More shots after the jump.

No reprints without permission. Lewis wants to thank: Jon Allen at Island House and Stephen Smith at Key West Gay Travel. We'd like to thank Lewis and DNA for the exclusive preview.

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Eragon's Ed Speleers Over Hollywood

You may have heard of the new film coming out today by the name of Eragon. I realized I hadn't heard much from our frequent correspondent Lewis Payton recently so I phoned him to ask what he'd been up to. He sent over these shots of 18-year-old Brit Ed Speleers, the freshly-minted young star of that film, which I thought I'd share.

Lewis told me: "This was Ed's first major photo shoot - not that you could tell. We shot at one of the famous "Case Study" houses in the Hollywood Hills. Since this is Ed's breakout role, I thought it was fitting that we captured him with his future laid out before him. Shooting swimwear or nudes is actually really challenging, as you have to keep you eye on every single part of the body to make sure every thing looks right, whereas this shoot afforded me the opportunity to focus more on character and expression. It was so much fun getting the opportunity to apply my aesthetic to a more fashion based story. I'd started to forget what a photographic subject looks like with clothes on!"

If you're into dragons (or fresh-faced young talent from across the pond) you may want to check the film out. Click to enlarge the photos, and one more after the jump...

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Zen and the Art of Summer Down Under: A DNA Preview

It may be just turning fall here in the States, but down in Australia...summer approaches.

Heralding that arrival, of course, are the swimsuit issues, and today Lewis Payton is back with Towleroad to feature a couple of tanned beauties sporting the latest Lycra threads.

This is an exclusive preview of the new issue of DNA magazine (a devoted Towleroad sponsor) that has just hit newsstands.

Click for larger versions, and enjoy.

Check out the rest of the preview, plus an enlarged version of the cover after the jump!

Lewis Payton [website]
DNA magazine [website]

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A Sexiest Men Alive DNA Preview

I'd have to say this cover shot is certainly one of the hottest I've seen from DNA and Lewis Payton.

Here is a special preview from their forthcoming "Sexiest Men Alive" issue, which features actor and model TJ Wilk in a 20-page fashion spread.

TJ lives in L.A. and recently appeared on reality fashionbot Janice Dickinson's reality show. He's also a champion diver and (Britney Spears take note) a full-time nanny manny.

According to reports, Lewis and TJ had a good time during the shoot using the pink pool rings. I'm sure there are plenty of you wondering what the shots just before and after this image look like. You'll have to get the magazine to find that out, but Lewis has given us two bonus shots (NSFW), which you'll find after the jump.

For the record, DNA is a longtime Towleroad advertiser. Click for larger versions and enjoy the show.

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A Public Affair: Lewis Payton's 10 Launches in L.A.

Last Friday night, Lewis Payton hosted an L.A. launch for his first collection of prints, 10, which I've posted about in these pages. Many of the models featured in the collection, which you've also seen here, were on hand to help him celebrate.

Sandwiched around Lewis in this shot are Survivor's Jeff Wilson, Sean Harley, Ryan Daharsh, and Caleb Lane. Congrats to Lewis. I know how hard he has worked on this project.

The packed party was held (appropriately) at West Hollywood's i-Candy lounge. A selection of eye candy from the party follows after the jump...

10/DNA model Sean Harley, model Jarra and 10 cover model Ryan Daharsh.

Hostess Julia Nish.

DNA cover model Brandon MacKay and 10 model Caleb Lane.

Andre Mello (Brazilchic.com), Lewis Payton and writer Robert Rave.

Inside i-Candy lounge.

Lewis Payton and 10 model Sean Harley goofing around.

Lewis Payton and Tyler Duckworth (MTV's Real World Key West).

Supermodel Janice Dickinson and Lewis Payton.

Eye candy at i-Candy.

10 Cover model Ryan Daharsh.

DNA cover model Michael Shea and Lewis Payton.

Lewis Payton and Rex Lee (Entourage).

Rex Lee and more i-Candy.

Michael McDonald (MAD TV) and Peter Paige (Queer as Folk) holding up Lewis Payton.

My good friend and rising talent Lewis Payton. Congrats, again Lewis. We look forward to your next set of shots.

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Exclusive: A mini DNA Preview

Maybe I should say muscular rather than mini. This month, Australia's DNA magazine focuses on skin and grooming and features this serious centerpiece, Dave, shot by Lewis Payton. You can find plenty more pics of Dave in the current issue as well as on the cover, although I'm not sure the others offer such a deft use of sunlight.

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Exclusive: Summer Solstice — A DNA Preview

Fresh from the recent publication of his limited edition set of prints, 10, Lewis Payton presents a new shoot in the issue of DNA which just hit newsstands. I've got a stunning exclusive preview of the issue for you today.

This time, Lewis features Craig, a newcomer to modeling, though he already comes off as a seasoned pro. Enjoy the shots (click for larger versions) and be sure to follow the jump for a special bonus (NSFW) image...

Lewis writes:

"This was Craig's first major modeling shoot and he was so excited to do it. Unfortunately for him, the shoot was in the middle of winter and I don't think he was prepared for how cold he got! But the end result is beautiful and something a little different than I've shot before for DNA. Craig's a champion gymnast whose career was unfortunately cut short by a major knee injury. Last week, Craig signed up to the US Marines and he leaves for basic training in a couple of weeks. We were all a little dismayed to hear the news, as it's not exactly the best time to be a Marine. I hope he stays safe and keeps well out of harm's way."

Click through for a special bonus (NSFW) pic, and if you missed last week's interview with Lewis, be sure to check it out as well.

Thanks to Lewis and DNA (one of Towleroad's sponsors) for the shots.

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Scoring a "10"An Interview with Lewis Payton

I've been showcasing the work of photographer Lewis Payton on Towleroad for a couple of years now. I met Lewis in my past life as a magazine editor and since then we've become good friends. I first knew him as a talented writer, but it has been a pleasure watching him grow into his own as a photographer.

Lewis has just launched 10, a limited edition set of ten of his iconic male images. Many of the shoots the images were taken from were first featured here on Towleroad.

So today, I'm pleased to offer you an interview with the man behind the extremely sexy images of Billy Bean, Jeff Wilson, Rusty Joiner and others I've featured on the site every few months.

Folks are often curious about how photographers work, so Lewis answers plenty of questions about how he got into photography, how he makes his models comfortable, how he "negotiates" nudes, and if and when he's ever succumbed to the sexiness of one of his own subjects.

Today is the first day that 10 is available on his website, and it's a limited edition, so get it while it's hot!

Well, it'll always be hot, it just won't always be available.

THE INTERVIEW

Tell me about 10

I was working on my first coffee table book of male nudes. I’d been shooting it for a little over a year and while taking some time off in Australia, I decided my first book should be broader in scope. I don’t see beauty in just one gender, age or cultural group. But I had enough beautiful male nudes for a book, and I didn’t want them to just gather dust. So I came up with the idea for 10, a collection of ten prints, my favorite male nudes, in one package. I chose ten images that reflect my ideas of masculinity and sensuality. I try to capture both virility and vulnerability in my male nudes and these ten images are a varied interpretation of that theme.

Why 10?

It’s an iconic number, it denotes perfection. I wanted a limited number of prints in the collection, so it fit the bill. I’m the kind of person who likes a small but perfect meal rather than a huge buffet. There’s so many books out there with a handful of stunning images and then a lot of superfluous filler. I just took out the filling. Think of this as my degustation menu!

How did you choose the images?

I rejected so many images I love because they were too similar in style or theme. If it were a book, that wouldn’t be such a problem, but I wanted each of the ten images to be unique in some way. Obviously all of the models in the shots are physically gorgeous, but they all have very different personalities and energy and I think the images reflect that. The cover model, Ryan Daharsh, is like a living greek statue. I have never seen a more perfect body. I tried to capture that perfection with the cover image. It’s distant, heroic, perfect. The final image of him is a total contrast – intimate, vulnerable, very sensual, almost feminine. Both images have these wonderful lines and forms to the body, yet such different emotional content. I love these images, and not only for their aesthetic value. I deliberately chose shots of models who I loved working with because I want to be able to look back at my first collection and see positive associations.

Do you have a favorite?

I couldn’t pick a favorite, but I’m constantly asking everyone else to lately. No one ever picks the same one, so I must’ve done something right.

Who are your influences?

I draw on a lot of different sources outside of photography, but in terms of photographers, my earliest influences were Herb Ritts and Bruce Weber. Both Herb and Bruce’s work defined my sexual awakening. I’ll never forget coming across Herb’s famous ‘Fred With Tires’ image in a poster shop in the small town I grew up in. I was 17 and the image stopped me in my tracks. I was sneaking looks so no one in the store would brand me as gay, but I couldn’t believe that there was a real guy out there who looked like that model. At that moment I made it one of my life’s missions to find out where people who looked like that lived! Herb Ritts had such flawless technique. His death was real a loss for the world.

Who are your favorite current photographers?

In addition to Bruce, I love the work of James Houston, an Australian who makes his home in the US. James captures the sculptural human form like no other photographer. He has become one of the top commercial photographers in New York and his nudes are just gorgeous works of art. David LaChapelle’s work is magical. His creativity and vision inspires me to become more dynamic with my own work. He’s just a true visionary in the field. And Tony Duran has the innate ability to make anyone look sexy.

Why did you decide to become a photographer?

A number of reasons, including a good dose of fate. I have a long history working with imagery. I was a film major for the first two years of college and when I worked in advertising, I coordinated countless photo shoots. I always wanted to grab the camera and take the photos myself! Then, in the late 90's, I shot a number of documentaries which I think really trained my eye to the lens. In late 2002, I was working full time as a freelance journalist and I lost a job because they wanted a words and picture deal and I didn’t have any images to give them. I vowed as my new year’s resolution to buy a 35 mm camera and teach myself to shoot stills properly. One morning, I took a few candid shots of a buddy of mine, and his girlfriend, a very successful model, saw them and asked me to shoot her for her portfolio. I agreed, although I thought she was going to be very disappointed. But the shoot actually went really well and I could see that I had captured something in her shots, a softness and sweetness, that was totally missing from her book. That’s how it started. She introduced me to some other models and before long all I had time for was photography. I moved to LA soon after and never looked back.

Is it difficult to keep your focus surrounded by so many beautiful men, especially when they are naked?

I get this question more than any other. Honestly, it’s dead easy. I am so focused during a shoot that nothing intrudes on that. Once I’m editing, that’s another story. I will look through proofs and be like ‘Whoa, that’s smoking hot!’

So you never get turned on during a shoot?

There’s moments sometimes where you are aware of a sexual tension in the air, but I work that into the picture instead of acting on it. As soon as you step over that line, the images reflect that. I am much more interested in capturing emotional intimacy and sensuality than overt sexuality.

Why the focus on men?

Initially, it was about money and lack of connections. I moved to LA and was broke and knew no one. Shooting girls takes a team, stylists, makeup etc. With guys you just need good hair and very little else. That’s also how I came to shoot so many nudes. I couldn’t find stylists I liked, so I just got rid of the clothes! Again, a little premeditation, a little circumstance and it all worked out in the end. I love women though and at the end of the day I prefer shooting women. It’s much more fun and creative.

Who would you most like to shoot and why?

I want to shoot so many different things and people. In terms of fashion, I get to work with pretty much whomever I want. In terms of celebrities, I would very much like to capture Gael Garcia Bernal. He has a face as beautiful as it is interesting. Meryl Streep is a dream subject of mine.

How have blogs and the internet changed the way you shoot and promote your work?

I credit the web for much of my success. Because I moved to the US with virtually no professional contacts, I had to take different paths when developing my career. So I deliberately created a website with many more images than most photographers have, so that people would get a true sense of my work, even if they weren’t seeing it in every second magazine. I read an article about comedian Dave Chappelle and how his team used the internet to market him and the first series of his show. Even though it was just this small show on Comedy Central, they developed such a huge profile for him on the web that when his DVD came out it broke all sales records and totally shocked the industry. I took that on board very early on and the web has been incredibly kind to me in return. Especially Towleroad!

How do you set the mood on a shoot? Do you play music?

I make a pot of tea and sit and chat with the models. I’m like a 34 year old grandmother! My shoots are the opposite of glamorous, but I’m not setting out to intimidate. I love music, but I find it really distracting when I’m shooting. That said, if I’m trying to capture something specific, it can really help to set the mood.

How do you negotiate nudes?

When you’re working with established models, it’s no big deal. They have all done them and know what they are all about. If I’m planning on it for a shoot, it’s one of the first questions I ask when casting and if someone has a problem with it, I don’t push it. It’s not worth it, as it will show in the final image if the model is uncomfortable.

How do straight models feel about being in gay magazines?

If they are with a respected agency, they are well aware that it is the one of the best launching pads for a modeling career. Huge exposure. But guys from the Midwest who are just getting started tend to be extremely uncomfortable and threatened by it. So it’s best to work through agents and let them educate their models.

Many photographers have worked in other media, like La Chappelle and Weber. Do you have any ambitions outside of photography?

Definitely. I started in film and I’ve got some projects to develop. I haven’t been writing much in the past couple of years, so I plan on making that a priority in the near future.

Talk about the 10 tour…

It’s basically an excuse to party around the world! I’ll be showing large format versions of the 10 prints in ten iconic cities – Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Sydney, Cape Town, London, Berlin, Paris, Tokyo and Rio. I’ve never been to Cape Town or Tokyo so I’m really looking forward to those cities.

What’s next?

I’ve got the LA and Sydney launches for 10, then I take the exhibition on the road. I’m looking forward to returning to my photojournalism roots and further expanding the scope of my work. I’ll still be doing my commercial work, but I’m very excited to explore some new avenues. Hoping for a day or two on a beach somewhere along the way.

Check out Lewis Payton's site to find out how to get your very own limited edition of 10.

Some of our Lewis Payton collection
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Brandon Mackay by Lewis Payton [tr]
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DNA Preview: Brandon Mackay by Lewis Payton

Towleroad is happy to present an exclusive preview of the upcoming issue of DNA magazine featuring modeling newcomer Brandon Mackay. You may recognize Brandon's sinewy athletic body from the most recent cover of Out magazine, but DNA's got him totally covered here.

We last featured Lewis' shots from the beaches of Rio de Janeiro and he's been quite busy. His site has been updated with over 30 new shots and fans of his work will be excited to hear that he's working on a special box set of images which he should be releasing in July. We'll have more on that soon, but for now enjoy these clean, sexy, classic images of Brandon.

There's much more where this came from in the upcoming issue of DNA. Thanks to Lewis for the great shots.

Previously
Bumper Crop of Beauty: A DNA Preview [tr]
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The New Paul [tr]

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