Over the years we have enjoyed working with some very handsome fellas, it is one of the great benefits of working at Xdress! As you all know, we like to mix it up when it comes to creating underwear and lingerie and we are not afraid to break with convention by offering some sheer and ultra sexy items. However, not everyone is a risk taker in the modeling world, and it can be tricky to find good looking guys who are comfortable being photographed wearing lingerie.
We are constantly searching for models that understand our concept and are not shy to be seen wearing lingerie. However, living in a conservative state such as Arizona, this is not an easy task and good underwear models are few and far between. Especially those who will wear panties and a bra, or maybe a babydoll, in front of the camera. Someone can be very good looking and have a great body, but if he lacks the talent for looking natural in front of the camera, the poses will look wooden and unnatural. We have been fortunate enough to find Michael, Alex, and Jacob, who have pretty much tried on all of our underwear and make every pair look amazing!
Castings & Agencies
Castings can be a hit, but the majority of times they are a miss. It's kind of like finding a diamond in the rough, but eventually we do find someone. Our main sources for seeking out local talent have been social media, Model Mayhem, or recommendations from other models we have worked with. We also check up on local agencies, but this is rarely successful as professional models registered with an agency are concerned that being photographed in lingerie may limit their future prospects with well known brands. Even if a guy is interested, the agency themselves may not be completely okay with the model being in underwear and the possibility of semi sheer items. We have found that Instagram is a great source for finding guys for our editorials, since most post selfies on social media, so we can get an instant idea if the guy has potential. If so, we contact them directly and invite them into our studio for a test shoot. Once we have the model in front of the camera, it gives us a better look at his level of comfort and ability to move and take direction.
Photographers
For talented male models that want to make it in the biz, LA or NY tend to have the most opportunities, as that is where the majority of great photographers are located. So we often hire a remote photographer who has the vision to capture the Xdress concept in an appealing way. They can also often help to find a model who is happy to wear more feminine attire. We have experienced instances where models have backed out just before a shoot due to nerves or just not being comfortable to be seen wearing lingerie, but this is quite rare. Not everyone gets it or is even aware of the fact that yes, men can enjoy wearing bras and panties too!
At XDress we always want to portray our men's lingerie in the classiest and most elegant way. So we know it has to be done right with someone that has our vision! Once we have acquired the photographer and models, the venue is determined, either in studio or on location, and then the magic happens. Most photoshoots are completed in a day, although location shoots are far more complex and can take longer, and involve many people to help with the technical aspects of lighting and makeup. As soon as the photos are delivered, they are soon downloaded onto our social media, splash and product pages, and lookbooks.
What are some of your favorite shoots we've done so far? Let us know in the comments below!