OF GLOVES AND SMELLY TOWELS

 MARK ANDRADE’S FATHER BOUGHT THIS OLD PUSHING BAG AND PLACED IT IN HIS GARAGE. MARK LAUGHED AT HIM AND TOLD HIM THERE WOULD BE NO WAY HIS SON WOULD BE OUT THERE IN THAT HOT GARAGE IN TEXAS, PUNCHING THAT BAG. BUT HIS FATHER LOOKED AT HIM AND JUST SMILED. AND HE SAID “YOU JUST WAIT AND SEE.”

 Mark Andrade has been photographing for 15 years now. He started with bridges, moved to weddings and eventually started doing portraits. He went from Houston to Miami, then to Chicago and Los Angeles and eventually back to Houston. Mark’s motto is “because it should be for a lifetime” and having that said it doesn't matter for Mark whether it is senior pictures or a family day in the park. Pictures should be for a lifetime. And that also goes for male portraits in a dirty garage.

 Gloves and smelly towels people forgot in the garage. As a photographer, Mark Andrade sees things most people don’t see. And seeing those pushing bags, weights, ropes and old chairs, it brought back vivid memories of his brother working out in the garage. That is why he shot this series with Ian Hurter in sepia tones. To set that very special nostalgic tone. “I don't know too many guys working out in their garages any more,” Mark explains. “I wanted to do this with Ian. He is such a great model. Easy to work with. Even when I asked him to come out of his comfort zone and do nudes.”

 Ian Hurter was born in Indonesia but moved to Houston, Texas when he was 11 years old. Only 6 years after his arrival his model adventure kicked off. Houston has become his permanent hometown and Ian loves the warm climate which reminds him so much of his country of origin. Currently 23 years old, Ian studies for his marketing degree and the University of Houston Downtown, but has his mind set upon a career in modeling and fashion. “I want to pursue modeling as a career. As I get older, I’d like to have my own agency, possibly in LA or NYC. Or to design my own clothing and fragrance line.” Ian Hurter has no doubts about his future prospective and dreams big.

 Working with Mark Andrade was a great experience for young Ian. “My biggest obstacle is pushing myself beyond my limits,” he explains. “I struggle as a model to push myself beyond what I’m capable of. Working with Mark was a whole new experience. He made me feel very comfortable with the direction he wanted to take and under his direction he got me out of my comfort zone without me feeling awkward.” Ian Hurter is not the only one who is happy with the result. Mark Andrade is full of positive feelings toward Ian. “It is only when a model can come to trust you that you can create art. With Ian it was no problem. He helped me to recreate this memory of the old days, of my brother working out in the garage.” –BM-