Model: Matthew Naiman Photo: Allen Zaki Hair: Etienne Ortega MUA: Lisa G Stylist: Johnny Chavez
He's a California native who loves to travel! While in Australia, he discovered something. He bought his first camera, and this fueled a new passion. He soon found himself at the center of it all, a fulfilling career where in his every shots, he's capturing not only moments but also dreams. He's NEXT. Premiering in the Blogosphere's Most Admired Modeling Blogazine, NEXT Hottest Model, Ready to go NEXT with Allen?
Allen Zaki is the Hottest Photographer at NEXT Hottest Model.
Always Exciting. Always NEXT.
"My inspiration comes from all sorts of things. I'm originally a painter/drawer, so my background for the arts is quite an influence, and I love to look at old art from Asia and Europe to get inspired for my shoots. I'm also very much into modern contemporary design, which also shows in my work, its very clean, sleek and to the point. As for life, I love to live life to the fullest, and enjoy what I do, which is photography. Shooting with hot models, and great fashion inspires me to create an awesome mood or feel for every shoot I do."
Model: Matthew Naiman Photo: Allen Zaki Hair: Etienne Ortega MUA: Lisa G Stylist: Johnny Chavez
Model: Matthew Naiman Photo: Allen Zaki Hair: Etienne Ortega MUA: Lisa G Stylist: Johnny Chavez
"When I'm casting male models for a shoot, I'm looking for face, height, weight, and where there is something in his eyes. Is there a drive in that models eyes that comes through in an image, or is it just another "model" trying to make it to pay the bills. I can tell the difference, and when I first started out shooting, I would choose just any-ole-model, but I would never get the results I wanted in the images. There was a lack of expression and ability to move on-set, which then makes for a terrible photograph. Models have to have passion, and drive in order to shine in this industry, and that's what I'm looking for when they show up to a casting."
Model: Matthew Naiman Photo: Allen Zaki Hair: Etienne Ortega MUA: Lisa G Stylist: Johnny Chavez
"That poor boy, looking into the mirror judging himself (but we all do it). I would have this to say to him, if you think you have the height, the weight, and an interesting look, and not to mention the drive and passion to model, go for it. Contact a photographer (not your friends, who have a camera) and set up a test shoot. Once you've gone through that process, look over the images and see if you have what it takes to model. If the images look like they could be published in a magazine (based on your modeling skills, not necessarily the photographers) then pursue your dream of becoming a model. If you don't think you could be published, or they aren't "hot" enough, I would say look for another outlet for your creative side"
"That poor boy, looking into the mirror judging himself (but we all do it). I would have this to say to him, if you think you have the height, the weight, and an interesting look, and not to mention the drive and passion to model, go for it. Contact a photographer (not your friends, who have a camera) and set up a test shoot. Once you've gone through that process, look over the images and see if you have what it takes to model. If the images look like they could be published in a magazine (based on your modeling skills, not necessarily the photographers) then pursue your dream of becoming a model. If you don't think you could be published, or they aren't "hot" enough, I would say look for another outlet for your creative side"
Model: Matthew Naiman Photo: Allen Zaki Hair: Etienne Ortega MUA: Lisa G Stylist: Johnny Chavez
For Allen, its not about how expensive or technical your camera or equipment is, but what matters is what you can create with them, "When I bought my first camera, it was a Canon SLR piece of crap. But, it was what I could afford and was a modern film 35mm camera that could do whatever I needed it to do. I know plenty of amazing photographers who use cheap cameras to pull off amazing work." His first shoot? "It was an editorial on Metallic's and it was my first time shooting two models, and having two hair and makeup artists as well as a full wardrobe stylist. It was a fabulous day, but also very busy and time consuming. Mind you I was shooting in LA over on Melrose Ave. at a studio, and I had never worked in LA, because at the time I was living in Santa Barbara. I was stressed, and didn't know what to do, one of my models fell through so I had to get another last minute. Thank goodness for learning experiences, because that photoshoot taught me so much about myself as a photographer, and what it really takes to pull of a shoot of that size." So how does Allen deal with rejections? "I don't, ha ha just kidding around. I'm a true artist in the fact that I don't take rejection/failure very well. Because I see it as a failure of what I've created, which hurts as an artist because you want people to understand your concept and appreciate your work. However, I've been critiqued many times, and I know in the back of my head I always tell myself, not everyone is going to love your work, therefore move on when they don't. Photography and art in general are so subjective types of work, you can't expect everyone to like your work." Before Allen embarked on Photography, he wanted to become a professional dancer. He studied tap dancing for more than eight years, "I gained weight and there wasn't the passion and drive that I used to have." More facts on Allen? He looks and and act alot older than he actually is, but that's part of his charms, as he loves to make people laugh, and be comfortable around him, especially during a very tenseful shoot. When asked about what can make him really laugh, Allen shares, "What can make me laugh?, like a good ole' belly laugh? I love to laugh, and have fun on set. So someone dancing around and making a fool out of themselves can do it, or just someone who has the comedic timing to pull off a good joke. I have a funny sense of humor that not everyone has or gets, so some things I laugh at other people think is off-beat and weird. That's just me." Allen also shares some thoughts on his career, "My career as a photographer has been a quick revolution it seems. I've always been an artists, but it wasn't until I picked up the camera and started shooting subjects that I realized this is what I love, and want to do for the rest of my life. I've always had a passion for fashion, the clothing, the styling, hair and makeup, it was always something interesting...so once I started to shoot I knew that was the direction I was going to go. In 2003 is when I started taking pictures, and by 2005 I was beginning the process of creating images. Many ask, what's the difference? The answer to that is, a picture is something anyone can take, an image is something the photographer took time to conceptualize and create. Coming to the present, I graduated with a BA in Professional Photography and have been pursuing my career as a professional photographer ever since." So how does Allen know its the final shot? "The final shot...that's a really good question. A lot of the time, I have to sit in front of my contact shoots/selects and narrow them down. When it comes to selecting the final image(s), there is that "it" factor, something different, a connection with myself and the model and it shines through the image. That's what usually catches my eye, and makes it to the final page. I also have to be excited when I look at the image, if I'm not...its not the right one." Allen, this December will also launch his model for the 2010 NEXT Man of the Year, Allen will be representing LA for the event, now that's another exciting exclusive to watch out for!
Special thanks to Tony for coordinating the Feature.
Be inspired, explore his photography, step inside his world, click Allen Zaki
Model: Matthew Naiman Photo: Allen Zaki Hair: Etienne Ortega MUA: Lisa G Stylist: Johnny Chavez
"The funniest thing for me are the everyday things that people do cause you know that you've done it yourself. I love to make people laugh, and going to whatever extremes necessary to get there."
Always Exciting. Always NEXT.
For Allen, its not about how expensive or technical your camera or equipment is, but what matters is what you can create with them, "When I bought my first camera, it was a Canon SLR piece of crap. But, it was what I could afford and was a modern film 35mm camera that could do whatever I needed it to do. I know plenty of amazing photographers who use cheap cameras to pull off amazing work." His first shoot? "It was an editorial on Metallic's and it was my first time shooting two models, and having two hair and makeup artists as well as a full wardrobe stylist. It was a fabulous day, but also very busy and time consuming. Mind you I was shooting in LA over on Melrose Ave. at a studio, and I had never worked in LA, because at the time I was living in Santa Barbara. I was stressed, and didn't know what to do, one of my models fell through so I had to get another last minute. Thank goodness for learning experiences, because that photoshoot taught me so much about myself as a photographer, and what it really takes to pull of a shoot of that size." So how does Allen deal with rejections? "I don't, ha ha just kidding around. I'm a true artist in the fact that I don't take rejection/failure very well. Because I see it as a failure of what I've created, which hurts as an artist because you want people to understand your concept and appreciate your work. However, I've been critiqued many times, and I know in the back of my head I always tell myself, not everyone is going to love your work, therefore move on when they don't. Photography and art in general are so subjective types of work, you can't expect everyone to like your work." Before Allen embarked on Photography, he wanted to become a professional dancer. He studied tap dancing for more than eight years, "I gained weight and there wasn't the passion and drive that I used to have." More facts on Allen? He looks and and act alot older than he actually is, but that's part of his charms, as he loves to make people laugh, and be comfortable around him, especially during a very tenseful shoot. When asked about what can make him really laugh, Allen shares, "What can make me laugh?, like a good ole' belly laugh? I love to laugh, and have fun on set. So someone dancing around and making a fool out of themselves can do it, or just someone who has the comedic timing to pull off a good joke. I have a funny sense of humor that not everyone has or gets, so some things I laugh at other people think is off-beat and weird. That's just me." Allen also shares some thoughts on his career, "My career as a photographer has been a quick revolution it seems. I've always been an artists, but it wasn't until I picked up the camera and started shooting subjects that I realized this is what I love, and want to do for the rest of my life. I've always had a passion for fashion, the clothing, the styling, hair and makeup, it was always something interesting...so once I started to shoot I knew that was the direction I was going to go. In 2003 is when I started taking pictures, and by 2005 I was beginning the process of creating images. Many ask, what's the difference? The answer to that is, a picture is something anyone can take, an image is something the photographer took time to conceptualize and create. Coming to the present, I graduated with a BA in Professional Photography and have been pursuing my career as a professional photographer ever since." So how does Allen know its the final shot? "The final shot...that's a really good question. A lot of the time, I have to sit in front of my contact shoots/selects and narrow them down. When it comes to selecting the final image(s), there is that "it" factor, something different, a connection with myself and the model and it shines through the image. That's what usually catches my eye, and makes it to the final page. I also have to be excited when I look at the image, if I'm not...its not the right one." Allen, this December will also launch his model for the 2010 NEXT Man of the Year, Allen will be representing LA for the event, now that's another exciting exclusive to watch out for!
Special thanks to Tony for coordinating the Feature.
Be inspired, explore his photography, step inside his world, click Allen Zaki
Model: Matthew Naiman Photo: Allen Zaki Hair: Etienne Ortega MUA: Lisa G Stylist: Johnny Chavez
"The funniest thing for me are the everyday things that people do cause you know that you've done it yourself. I love to make people laugh, and going to whatever extremes necessary to get there."
Always Exciting. Always NEXT.
