Happy New Year!

Hope everyone has a safe and happy new year tonight. The coming year should bring some interesting work and fun times... I'm looking forward to it.

So, this is officially the last post of 2008. 242 posts this year, kind of crazy. Thanks for all the wonderful support!

Sometimes it's ok to smile.

So, as much as I don't like smiling in photographs... sometimes a boy's got to do what a boy's got to do. I was really excited to do a shoot for Teen Vogue, as I've had communication with them for over a year. Above is Isabel Getty who can currently be seen in the last page of the newest issue. Leighton Meister is on the cover. I actually really love these photos, and it helps that Isabel is totally adorable and was a lot of fun to shoot. We had a great time. The photo staff at teen vogue, including Jennifer Pastore, are amazing and so easy to work with.

Just as a side note. I'm totally not into the way trailers are played on television anymore. All the information about the film is above and below the screen and the trailer is widescreen. For me, it just looks cheap for some reason. Like a bad infomercial or something saying please buy me, I'm only 19.99$! First it was for the trailer of Twilight and now the new Underworld movie is the most recent offender. Over it.

I leave for Sundance in 3 weeks! I can't wait, I have a lot of great films on the roster to see, including the Informers! Love a Kim Basinger film!

Flashback Monday!!!

So this is the final holiday flashback of the year. This is probably my favorite. I mean, if this isn't traumatizing for a child I don't know what is. However, look at that smile on my face. I didn't have a care in the world. This photo is pretty much a great insight into how my father is. He is a funny man, but sometimes, his funny isn't necessarily funny to everyone else. I love him a bunch though. AND i love snowmen, headless or not.

G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S!

So I finally got around to cleaning out my new computer. I know I've had it for like 2 months and it's already a disaster with emails, downloads, photos and music. In the process I found the PDF for the interview that was done with me for BUCK. It's a 3 page interview and has the favorite image of me and my dad printed. It's probably my favorite interview so far, and pretty much gets everything right for once. I love that mask, I can't get enough of it. You know, spooky stuff is my favorite.



Oh Jordan Hawks, how I think you are hot as shit. I love a man in long johns. I also love the tattoo he has on his back of his last name. Totally rad.

I have been pretty obsessed with watching Funny or Die videos during my free time. I have posted a bunch here before. I'm a sucker for celebrities making fun of themselves... Anyone with a sense of humor makes me happy. Anyway, most people who know me, know how obsessed I was with Fergie for awhile. This video is still genius in my mind.

The Spelling Bee with FERGIE by Fergie

Also, there are 15 sets left of the newest limited edition set. So pick it up while you can... I definitely like this set a lot more, as it's some of my favorite work. So enjoy.

rad person of the day!

I have always been a big fan of Zoe's work. For the first time in awhile I looked at her archived work on her website. It hasn't been updated in quite some time. However, she keeps an active blog. I found this image, and thought it was a perfect way to end the holiday season and my rad person of the day for the year. Please check out her work, and the projects she takes part in. She is an amazing artist.

ZOE STRAUSS BLOG!

Limited Edition Set #2

Due to the really overwhelming response to the Holiday Set, and many people not being able to get one, I decided to do one more set of editorial work. This set is a fashion set from a few of my stories, with some of my favorite models included such as Tyler Riggs. Anyway, I have to raise the price a little, due to knowing now how much it costs to ship and put together. However, it's still a steal as compared to prices of a print from a real edition. Anyway, it is 50$ for these 8 5X7's together. It is a limited edition set again of 25. Please send money to ryan@ryanpfluger.com through paypal as well as an email letting me know where to ship to. As for those who got the last set, I hope you enjoyed them.

p.s.

This is an I-MIX I made recently. Take a listen, cause it's great songs for the winter.

Safe Travels this holiday.

I know this week hasn't been much in terms of artistic insight posts.... But I seem to be on a creative break of sorts. I have done some shooting, but haven't even bothered to go to the studio to work on anything. Anyway, I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday. It's nice to to take a mental break from everything, and spend time with people you love. There are a lot of people I very much love and care about, and my thoughts are with them. If you are interested, Peter and The Wolf is one of my favorite bands. This song, probably the most well known is my favorite. It makes me cry sometimes and smile uncontrollably at others. Safe travels to everyone this holiday season.

Safe Travels by Peter and The Wolf

Ahhh
My brother dreaming of a new land
Where the rivers wind through the villages
And the people breathe so easily
All the region trees go the same way
Don't have to go
I know you know you know
But if you gotta go
Whoa-oh
Safe travels

My brother wander in the tall grass
It's ok to run we expect you back
Know how to climb a tree
I assume you do
I admit it
Man i'm not as sharp as you
Oh but i know
It's still a war down there
And if ya gotta go
Whoa-oh
Safe travels

Oh oh safe travels
Oh oh safe travels
Oh oh safe travels
Oh oh safe travels

i want this to be out...

NOW. I love Tim Burton and absolutely love Timur Bekmambetov. Night Watch and Day Watch are two of my favorite movies. I think he is a complete visionary. So it's kind of exciting to see these two men together producing a movie. Anyway, watch this trailer, cause I think it's super rad. AND the knife is playing in the trailer.

Flashback Monday!!!

So only two more weeks of Christmas inspired flashbacks. This one is my favorite thus far. I wish wish wish I still had these onesey pajamas. I loved TMNT so much when I was a kid. I have all my action figures of them in the closet of my studio. I hate when they tried to modernize them. Leave a good thing alone! Anyway, yeah...i miss these times.

how it begins.

This weekend was pretty fun and relaxing. I went to see the Reader on Saturday, and cried a whole lot. I wasn't even sure why I was crying half the time, but I just kept tearing up. Kate Winslet was outstanding....top notch performance. Today I took some photos while Sophia Lamar, Geordon and Alexis came over to hang out and have dinner. It was a really nice time. Sophia is one of the most amazing people in the world.....for so many reasons. The above picture being one of them. Her poses are like no other. AND those shoes. I mean, come on!



This is kind of what I want right now. Sexy-time in my bed. Besides Trina.....all I got is my covers to keep me warm. I'd like someone else to keep me warm. I know feelings like this, have a lot to do with the season. Holidays around the corner, cold weather and early darkness. It would be nice to have someone to share some of my quiet time with. But for now....I just have to deal without it.

Tomorrow is definitely going to be a studio work day.... because I really need to keep myself occupied while avoiding the over-crowded holiday madness that is New York City right now.

rad person of the day!

I got really excited when I ran across Chad's work this weekend. Even more excited when I saw the above image. Reminds me of one of my own pieces that I made during the project with my father. Chad's interest in shared experience and images as objects is something that has always fascinated me as well. I think you should check out his site.

CHAD MUTHARD PHOTOGRAPHS

the weather outside....

So today's weather was out of control. Crazy snow and then bizarre wintery mix. It was definitely not the greatest thing to be running around the city in. Yet, looking out my window, it's such a nice feeling. I love the silence after snow, at night, when everything has settled. I haven't really settled though.

I did a bunch of go-sees today. I was impressed the boys came out in the terrible weather. This is Keith and he is with Re:Quest. He got kind of lost and I felt bad that he was stuck in the freezing rain. I went to the train to pick him up because I didn't want him to be wandering around aimlessly anymore. I'm looking forward to getting back all my head-shots from today. Speaking of, I finally picked up December's issue of PDN and it was nice to see my image of James Ransone in there. At least some people seem to like what I do.

I think I'm going to go see the Reader tomorrow, and get in the many Holocaust films I need to see before the Golden Globes. I love me some Kate Winslet.

don't be angry.

-this is one of my favorite songs from my favorite band, the organ-

I have to sneak in and put on your clothes
You will know where I’ve been
But I need the protection
Oh what a strange and miraculous thing
Finally recognise what is driving me crazy

All that I want was here now it’s gone
All that I want was here now it’s gone
Don’t be angry
I don’t disagree
It is clear that I left
My clothes on the highway

And I’d like to know
If you ever told
You said if I could have once
Given your life some meaning

All that I want was here now it's gone
All that I want was here now it's gone
All that I want was here now it's gone

Don’t be angry
I will die lonely
Don’t be angry
I will die lonely
Don’t be angry
I will die lonely
Don’t argue
'Cause you will see
That I will die so very lonely
Don’t be angry
Don’t be angry

without a doubt.

Mark was in town and I didn't even get to see him. Luckily I have sexy photographs of him that make up for it. I really do think Mark is so extremely handsome. I also love the furniture that is in his apartment. I just noticed the curtains that are in the background of this are the same as my old roommates.



So, since I know this image isn't being printed, and the issue happens to be coming out next week, I figured I'd give a little preview. The above is from a fashion story I did for HEEB magazine. This wonderful model, Davide, is so so so so sexy. He also has a really amazing elaborate tattoo on an unseen part of his body, if you catch my drift. Anyway, pick up the issue before the holidays next week if you get the chance. The layout is very different that anything I have ever had printed, and different can be good sometimes.



Nick Nick Moore. Brother of my best-est Nate Moore. He isn't too happy with me trying to convince Nate to take their car cross-country to come visit me. I'm selfish. I know. I just can't make another Detroit trip yet because I'm leaving for Utah in a few weeks.

MOVIE TIME

Wendy and Lucy - Phenomenal. Michelle Williams gives one of her best performances. I went with my friend Justin, and cried a bit. I didn't let him know that because you know, I'm really butch. But honestly, if you get a chance to see this movie you should. It's about Michelle Williams character (Wendy) and her dog (Lucy), dealing with her struggle of trying to go cross-country with non-existant funds. The film is very silent, and has a lot of breathing room for you to meditate on what's going on. Go see it.

Doubt - Meryl Streep you are my god. While I love Amy Adams, I felt like the role was actually a little odd for her. I couldn't connect with her, as much as I wanted to. But Meryl and Philip were incredible. I was also surprised with how well it translated to film (as I saw the play).

Flashback Monday!!!!

So because I'm a little late on this one, I decided to double the fun. In keeping with the holiday spirit I found these two gems of me from separate christmas extravaganzas. When I was a kid I loved showcasing items apparently in photographs. I did love making cookies and decorating them. It was probably my favorite part of christmas. I will probably make some this weekend... vegan ones of course. Anyone have christmas traditions from childhood that they really love?

i wish my name was Remy.

So I'm going to have a show of work from the above project in Philly this March at the University of the Arts. I'm really honored to be asked and am really happy to be involved. I haven't really looked at this work in a long time.... as most of them are the first photographs I ever really took. It will be nice to see some of it up on a gallery wall again. It's also good for me to look back at old work and see the direction I'm going in currently.

In the last few months I have lost a few relationships that were very important to me. The sever was not of my doing. It bothers me a lot when people become overly self-involved and put little to no value on emotional history with others. I will never say that I have wasted time on people, but I do feel used and discarded. It is not often I allow someone to really know me, as I am a very closed off person ( a lot of my work is obviously about that )... and it really breaks my heart when those I have let in, take advantage of my kindness. There really is nothing like the holidays.... everything seems to be magnified whether good or bad. Emotional rant - sorry bout that.



On a lighter note! Totally excited that the new X-Men Origins preview with Gambit has finally been revealed in all his glory. It played before the Day the Earth Stood Still (terrible). I have been obsessed with Gambit since I was a little kid, I even have a tattoo on my back related to him. My first screen-name ever was RemyRyan (because Gambit's real name is Remy Lebeau). Taylor Kitsch is playing him and I am determined to photograph him to satisfy my dork gush for Gambit. I will find a magazine or something to shoot him for....I'm going to be pitching him for the next few months. I took this still from the trailer because I just think it's too cool.



p.s. Yeah that's Leighton Meister from Gossip Girl in pigtails. I think she is amazing no matter what kind of character she plays. This is a still from an episode of Numb3rs that she was in. I'm newly obsessed with that show. I like her pink lip gloss.... it's very suburbia.

rad person of the day.

I don't like to post about photographers that are super well known that often, but I have been looking at Todd Hido's work a lot lately. I've always been a big fan, and more recently have been completely engrossed in his images. I'm not as drawn to his portraits, but really find his landscapes to be incredibly moving. Anyway, check him out if you don't know who he is.

TODD HIDO PHOTOGRAPHS

it's all in the numbers.

So I've spent the last few days trying to convince Nate to drive out here. It's only a 10 hour drive.... I say it's the perfect day-trip. I hope he does it, because I want to hang out with him here....not to say that I don't love Detroit. There is just better food here and i got my Trina, that's my main excuse. Pretty much I just want him to live here...good friends are hard to come by, and I like mine to live in the same state.



Brian, brian, brian. It seems every time I scan and have a few spare moments to re-scan anything from the past I come back to him. I really enjoy the photographs of him. I love the way the picture frame and lamp interact in this one in particular. It also helps that he is beautiful and has an amazing body. Speaking of amazing bodies, Re:Quest asked me to start doing some go-sees with their models. I've worked with some of them before on fashion stories, but haven't had a direct interaction with the agency yet. It will be nice to have another relationship.



I spent a lot of time sitting and reading today. I'm going back to my old queer theory books for a bit to get inspired and motivated towards producing some new work after my solo show coming up. I always like to be prepared with the next thing I'll be working on so I don't have super slow points in the creative process.

I'm still listening to Alaska in Winter non-stop. Brandon gets into town after the new year and I look forward to meeting him and photographing him. His music is just really incredible in my opinion. A melancholic beauty. I've also been watching Numb3rs the last two days and I'm pretty obsessed. You know I love a crime show. Speaking of, I'll be photographing someone very soon who has a long history in a crime show, which I'm very excited about.

Thats all for now...enjoy your friday!

p.s. All the print sets are boxed up and ready to be mailed tomorrow. If you still want one, there are 5 left still, and can still get it out before the holiday.



p.p.s. The thing I am most excited about this January.... The United States of Tara. It's Showtime's winter series starring Toni Collette with Diablo Cody writing. I'm just excited to see Collette in a series show, as I think she is one of Hollywoods most under-rated actress. She can do no wrong and has an incredible voice. Her album often plays on repeat for me during the winter.

insomnia as usual.

I like how this picture makes me look like a conehead.

It's 6 am. Still can't sleep. I've been watching episodes of Numb3rs on my computer for the last two hours. My heat is finally working again, so I can actually be comfortable with my shirt off, cuddling in my blankets. Trina was getting restless, so I had to put her in her crate for the rest of my late night/early morning zoning out. I've been thinking of traveling the mid-west after the new year for awhile. Give myself a new creative environment for awhile, cause I'm starting to feel stifled by New York. Just mental banter at the moment... sorry about that. I got some really interesting shoots before the year is up, so some fun stuff is coming.

dream on.

That's me in my studio... with all my stuff from childhood.

I think maybe it's the holidays.... or the weather... it's something. But this time of year is the worst for me. My parents are having issues already, and my father hasn't even been out in Arizona for 2 months. He is already talking of moving out and getting an apartment. I am no longer going to Arizona for pre-holiday time, as I don't want to involve myself with the drama as much as I love both of my parents. I just don't want to feel like I'm 12 years old and stuck in the middle again.



I like to think I am a reliable person and that I do right by the people in my life that I care about. Yet, sometimes I feel like I'm insignificant and a disappointment. It's just those ups and downs that you have to go through... just like anything else. But I'm really feeling it today.... thank god for Trina, and her incredible cuddling abilities. Although she has really been having the farts lately...and it is so not cute. I'm hoping this will pass quickly and I can move on and get back into the swing of things. Sorry for the negative banter.... I try and stay pretty upbeat for the most part, but it just isn't happening today.

Hopefully the sexy-ness above will make up for it.

Flashback Monday!!!!

So just like I have Rad Person of the Day on Saturday, I will now be having Flashback Mondays! In which I will painfully embarrass myself every week with awkward photographs of myself from the past. I have enough for a good few years of posting, so don't worry. The above is from Christmas time when I was 12 years old. Notice the wide-leg JNCO jeans and bowl-cut I embraced for most of my tween years. You can't see them well, but I am wearing some really awesome vans. That's all for now!

dessert foreplay.

Johnny Iuzzini is one of the coolest, most handsome dude I've had the pleasure of photographing. He also happens to be one of the best pastry chefs in the country. Anyway, he is a totally rad. If you don't know about him, check out his website. Also pick up the new issue of BUCK, which you can get at Barnes and Noble and most magazine stores in the city. There are a few photos of him in it and also a feature on myself.

JOHNNY IUZZINI



My Limited Edition Print Set is almost sold out, there are 8 left. If you want to get one, get it now before they are all sold. I will be shipping them all out on Friday for those who have purchased one already, so expect them way before the holidays. If you are still interested in purchasing one, please pay pal 40$ to ryan@ryanpfluger.com as well as email me at that address with the shipping address you want. Thanks for letting me be a part of your holiday.



I love my boy Nate more than probably 95% of the people I've met in my lifetime. He is just an incredible individual with the best sense of humor. He just called me all groggy on the phone and it was pretty much the best thing ever. He got me some awesome gifts for my birthday and was one of only 2 people to get me something. As much as I hate celebrating, it is nice when people show they really care about you. Anyway, I hope he comes and visits soon, as well as my bud James because I am taking a break from going to Detroit.

p.s. Nick and Star won The Amazing Race.... called it from the get go. I don't even know why I watch sometimes, as I always seem to know who is going to win in the first place. Nick is fucking hot as hell though....so it was nice to see him every episode.

rad person of the day.

Mark Morrisroe

So today's rad person of the day is my all time favorite photographer ever. Unfortunately he is no longer with us, but his work has lived on, and he is more famous now then he was when he was alive. He is still not as widely recognized as he should be though. Anyway, while he doesn't have a website, obviously, you should google him/wikipedia him and learn more about him. His book put out by Twin Palms is a must buy for anyone who collects photography books.

mellow out.

One of the best things about my life, is the sheer amount of people I have had the opportunity to meet through my photography. This is Mark. He is quite wonderful. I met him through Nate when I was in Detroit. I was totally in love with the colors in his room and his comforter. I made me think of California in the 1970's. He is coming to New York in about a week and it will be nice to see his face again. There will be more of him to come.



We have an incredible man above. He is the photo editor at Esquire, and happens to be my neighbor as well. Michael Norseng posed for me a little over a week ago... or maybe even longer. Days are sort of meshing together as of late... probably because I've spent one too many days in my apartment. I had a great time hanging out with him, as the last I saw him was at a meeting with the photo department showing my book. He's just a really down to earth cool dude, and I just thought you all should know that.

I'm glad everyone is into the print set, as there are very few left. I'm definitely going to be making a zine of the head-shots after the holidays, so keep an eye out for that. I've been playing the new Prince of Persia non-stop as it's incredibly entertaining. Winter always makes me engulf myself into video games more-so that any other time of year.

p.s. The new Peter and the Wolf is incredible, and perfect mellow music for doing work in my studio. Appropriately enough the album is called Mellow Owl.

limited edition holiday print set.

So the above is the Limited Edition set of 5X7 prints I'm offering for the holidays. They are all numbered and signed... it's an edition of 25. This is the one time in awhile I'll be doing a small set of prints, as I usually only print my work 16X20. Included is Ed Westwick, Gus Van Sant, Jose Gonzalez, Aaron Yoo, Owen Pallett, James Ransone, Patrick Wolf and Panda Bear. If you would like this, just send 40$ to my paypal which is ryan@ryanpfluger.com. Also email me at the same email address letting me know the exact address you would like it mailed to. Enjoy your holidays, and spread a little bit of me around to your friends and family.

xoxo
r

*EDIT* There are only 10 left, so get it while you can

quiet times.

Finally New Photographs!

I haven't really had the extra funds to scan things I've done besides work stuff AND the work stuff I can't show you all until it goes out to print. A dilemma I know. The weather during my Detroit visit was pretty horrendous for portrait taking, however there was one morning before Nate went to work that was incredible. It was foggy and flurries were everywhere and we were in a cemetery. You really couldn't ask for a more moody atmosphere. I love photographing Nate, there isn't much more to say on that one.



I also am back doing my head portraits. I love this one of Zane. He photographs so amazingly. There was a complete ease about him. I'm thinking of doing a small zine of these portraits, and was wondering if anyone would be interested in that. I think they stand quite well on their own and would be quite nice in a compilation together.

I have a really great subject that I will be photographing sometime in the next week or so, and I can't wait to talk about it. You will all know who he is. So more on that later. I'm also doing some go-sees this week, so be prepared for some handsome men as usual. One who is especially stunning with great tattoos. I'm leaving for Arizona in about a week and a half, to see the parents. I haven't been out there since 2001, so it should be a very interesting experience being around my mom AND dad at the same time for longer than a day. If anyone is in the Sedona area or can get down to Sedona and wants to be photographed let me know.

Also, tomorrow I will be revealing a holiday print special I am doing. It will be limited edition and only 40$ for 8 5x7 prints. I'm hoping everyone will be interested and buy one for a family member or friend for the upcoming holidays as I need a little extra cash at the moment for upcoming projects.

P.S. I can't even deal with Heroes anyone. I try and stay interested and find myself fast-forwarding through things now. I just don't even get where the show is headed anymore and constantly feel like I'm being back-tracked for no reason. OVER IT.

P.P.S. Ryan Kwanten on Law and Order SVU tonight, genius. He looks great as a military man. It's not even on his IMDB which is weird. He is definitely on the top of my wish list of people to photograph.

quick banter no photos.

So, as much as I love television, I have reached my boiling point of hating the politics of it. Two of my favorite shows have gotten cancelled, which were probably the most creative and interesting. Eli Stone and Pushing Daisies both were axed by ABC for next year. Pushing Daisies had 11 Emmy nominations this past year. I'm just over it. Bryan Fuller does some of the most interesting and creative shows (Dead Like Me and Wonderfalls), yet he always gets the axe. Why do people even produce his shows if they know they are just going to cancel them. Just frustrated.

Also, my girl Hill is Secretary of State and I couldn't be happier. I knew it was going to happen, and it puts a huge smile on my face.