This was one of my very first shoots. The model was a barback at Oilcan Harrys. One of Austin’s oldest gay bars. Eyes followed Jon as he worked through the crowds with cases of beer and liquor on his shoulders throughout the night. I finally got the courage to ask him for a shoot. To my surprise he was very interested. Not much of my work was out yet so he was really taking a chance with me. Turned out he was an artist and was eager to help other creatives with their projects.

I bought a tuxedo shirt and bow tie from a thrift store down the street. He brought the black pants he wore at the club and the idea was a groom’s night with his bride (or beaux). I had to wait for him to finish his shift so it was very late by the time we started. We finished around 4 in the morning. The shot of him seated holding the champagne became the cover of my first calendar. This would also be the beginning of my longest running series, Come to Bed.