The Top Ten Men that I’d Like to Pose Nude for Me

A few weeks ago, someone on Tumblr asked me the following question: If you could get any men to pose nude for you, who would your top ten picks be and why?

I thought I’d share my list on here, as well. [Click any photo to enlarge.]

10. Josey Greenwell

My friend Toby from Nashville first showed me this guy, back when Josey also lived in Nashville. (Toby’s exact words were, “You should come to Nashville and shoot this guy.”) Sadly, Josey moved to Miami before I could make that happen.

Josey is cute in an all-American way. And he seems pretty laid back and uninhibited. He has a great body and an awesome Kentucky accent. And he could sing to me during the shoot. That would be nice.

9. William Levy

I’d photograph him because he’s beautiful. And his voice… the Cuban accent… he might be the only guy I’ve ever seen who could probably turn me on just by talking to me. And then, well, look at him! He’s just so sexy; the perfect cross between exotic and wholesome.

8. Tim Tebow

I have to be honest — this guy does nothing for me. But it would be a huge coup to get him to pose nude, I’d make a fortune!

7. Adam Levine

I love Adam’s tattoos. They’re artful and they add to his natural beauty. And I think he would be fun to photograph because he’s full of creative energy; I think he would bring a lot to a photo shoot.

6. Will Grant

Will Grant is a professional BMX rider turned fitness model and personal trainer. Honestly, I think he might be one of the best looking male models working right now. He’s so All-American and square-jawed, I love it! I also think he just landed a DNA cover.

5. Benjamin Godfre

Ben is everywhere right now. He’s got his own website, all the great photographers are working with him, he’s been directing a little bit of porn for Falcon, and he participates in some amazing photo shoots. Ben’s personality shines through in everything he does. And he’s a genuinely nice guy (I’ve talked to him). We were trying to put together a photo shoot the last time I was in LA, but it just didn’t happen, so I kind of feel like this is the one that got away. Oh, it helps that he’s super hot and very laid back, and he will run with just about any idea, it seems.

4. Adam Von Rothfelder

I have a thing for MMA fighters, so of course Adam appeals to me. And he’s done some interesting modeling in the past. His tattoos are hot (more than hot, they are beautiful and edgy). Adam is also from Milwaukee (I think he currently owns a gym there), which is not so far away from here. I’d love to find a way to get him to my studio.

3. Nick Youngquest

This Australian rugby league footballer is not shy about taking his clothes off; he posed in the 2007-08 Naked Rugby League calendar benefiting breast cancer and he got naked again for a testicular cancer awareness campaign. Since then he’s been naked (or nearly so) for a whole lot of photographers, so I’d love to get him naked for me! He’s another beautiful man; it seems that he doesn’t take a bad photo. I’d love to work with him.

2. Aaron O’Connell

Aaron is my personal favorite model of the moment. I’ve been infatuated with him since I first saw him in the Liquid Plumber commercial. And then I found out about his Indiana connection (he grew up in the north suburbs of Indy and went to Purdue). And then I found out that he’s posed for Bruce Weber. The more I see, the more I am kicking myself for not finding him when he lived here. I would love to work with him; he’s just a fantastic model.

1. Channing Tatum

My current dream guy, Channing Tatum is sexy, he’s tough, he’s tender, he’s goofy. Not many guys can pull all of this off. And he seems like a nice guy on top of all of it. He has the kind of body that the Greeks would have used to carve statues, it’s perfect. He might have the best butt I’ve ever seen. It would be amazing to have a photo shoot with Channing.

Scott’s Dream Photo Shoots, 9

Ryan Gosling

I never got the big deal about Ryan Gosling until recently. I remember a few years ago when every gay man and his brother was all gaga over The Notebook, but I never saw it and I did NOT think Ryan was cute. Then recently, I saw Blue Valentine and discovered that Ryan Gosling can act (and there was something about him that was endearing). I immediately rented Crazy, Stupid Love, and I fell in love. I watched that movie twice in a row, I loved him so much.

I want to watch Ryan Gosling movies for a long time. I’d love to have a photo shoot with him.

Kate Winslet

Hands down, Kate Winslet makes some of my favorite movies. I like Kate because she picks roles that aren’t always easy to watch (Revolutionary Road) and movies that are brave and edgy (Little Children, Hideous Kinky). I love that she makes a lot of period pieces (Finding Neverland, Sense and Sensibility, Quills) and movies that are just funky (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Enigma). I also love Kate because she told her young son that it’s okay if he is gay, and because she recently confessed that “My Heart Will Go On,” theme song to her biggest movie, Titanic, makes her “want to throw up.”

Well, who doesn’t, really?

I’d love to photograph Kate. Of all the celebrities I’ve mentioned in these lists, she’s way at the top.

See a previous post about Kate.

Donald Sutherland

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I love white hair and blue eyes together. I think Donald Sutherland has so much character, and there would be so much to capture in a photograph of him. He’s so complex, intimidating and yet welcoming, intelligent and yet creepy. I think he’d be a fantastic portrait subject.

And I love his voice. I’d love to hear him speak in person.

All photos in this post copyright, someone else.

Scott’s Dream Photo Shoots, 8

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is one of the best younger actors of our time. If you would have told me in the 1990s that I’d be saying that about the kid from Third Rock from the Sun, I would have laughed. But it’s true, Mysterious Skin and 500 Days of Summer  and Latter Days and Stop-Loss are all amazing. Then last weekend, I watched 50/50, which is one of the best movies I’ve seen in months. And it kind of made me have a little crush on Joseph. I’d love to photograph him, hear some stories about his work, etc.

Brit Marling

Brit Marling is the star and writer Another Earth, which is the movie that might be pushing 50/50, above, off the top of my list of “great recent movies.” Brit’s acting is real, and she’s captivating and authentic — and beautiful. She started writing her own movies when she realized that she was only going to be offered “pretty blond” roles in horror movies, and she wanted something better. That, by itself, is a reason I’d love to meet her.

Adam Levine

I have made it this far without watching one season of American Idol or any of those other reality shows. But I’m hooked on The Voice, largely because of Adam Levine. He’s awesome (I’ve always thought so, I guess. I like Maroon 5). He’s adorable (I’ve always thought that as well). He’s obviously not afraid to pose for nude photography (see the thumbnails, above). I’d love to work with him. I’d love to photograph him.

All photos in this post copyright, someone else.

Scott’s Dream Photo Shoots, 7

Ryan Kwanten

I have to be honest here, I don’t so much have a thing for Ryan Kwanten as I do have a thing for Jason Stackhouse. While Ryan’s authentic Australian accent is cute and all, it’s nothing compared to his appeal when he puts on that Southern accent to play True Blood‘s dumb jock.  Maybe it stems from my slight cowboy fetish, I don’t know. But aside from all this, Ryan has professional modeling experience, and that by itself would make a photo shoot worthwhile.

Sofia Vergara

I was thrilled (THRILLED, I tell you!) when I first saw Sofia outside of Modern Family, on the red carpet of the Golden Globes in 2011, and when I realized that the accent with which she plays Gloria is real. All Sofia has to do is walk into a scene on Modern Family and I start laughing. I suppose this would make it hard to get through a photo shoot with her. But I think I’d be saved by the fact that I think she’s the most beautiful woman on television right now. For that reason alone, I’d be honored to take her photo.

Tabatha Coffey

It’s true that Tabatha would probably make me cry if she were ever in my studio. But as a fan of tough love, I’d get over it. And I do love this woman. I love that she’s so passionate about what she does. I love that she wants to empower other people to be better. I love her severity, in looks and in personality. And I love that she wears those 7-inch heels — and goes after anybody who dresses like a slob to a job where they hope to be taken seriously. We need a lot less of that in America.

As a side note, Tabatha’s recent anti-bullying video made me love her even more.

All photos in this post copyright, someone else.

Scott’s Dream Photo Shoots 6

Björk

My desire to photograph Björk goes beyond the fact that she’s one of my favorite singers. Have a good look at the first photo above. Anyone who’s never realized that Björk is beautiful need look no farther. She’s gorgeous. And she’s fun, and weird, and artistic, all of this is evident in her music, her photos and her fashion sense. I think Björk would be amazing for some very unique photography with a serious high fashion bend.

And by the way, most people mispronounce her name, it’s not be-york, it’s byerk (rhymes with jerk).

Chris Pine

Jay was so excited to see the new Star Trek movie and I have to be honest, I didn’t give two shits. But he convinced me that I’d like it and so I went to see it with him, and developed an immediate crush on Chris Pine. Those eyes, that smile, his voice, his body . . . It’s all just perfect. I’d love to shoot him.

Michelle Obama

A lot of Republicans say things about the First Family that are so horrible and disrespectful that their Republican ancestors, who believed that you respect the people even if you disagree with the politics, would roll over in their graves. But that’s not the point, for me, the Obama family gives me some idea of what it was like in the early 1960s, when the Kennedy family lived in the White House and the world turned to Jackie Kennedy for her style and fashion sense. I think Michelle Obama is the classiest First Lady of my lifetime. And for that reason alone, I’d love to take her portrait.

All photos in this post copyright, someone else.

Scott’s Dream Photo Shoots, 5

Chris Evans

Come on, who wouldn’t want to be in the same room with Captain America? Really, if Jensen Ackles wasn’t already my TV-boyfriend, I would be swooning over Chris Evans. Whether he’s cut, like he is in Cellular, or beefy, like he is in Captain America, Chris’ body is always amazing. And he still has a disarming look to him. You can tell he’s earnest and I like that. And I know he went through a phase where he said he wasn’t going to take his clothes off, anymore. But he’s definitely proving that wrong with What’s Your Number. I’d like to think I could talk him into some fun photos, too.

John Malkovich

John Malkovich has been in some of my favorite movies, ever (The Killing Fields, Dangerous Liaisons, Art School Confidential, Changeling . . . ). I’d love to work with him. And I’d love to talk with him about his work. He intimidates me a little bit. I think that would add to the portrait I’d take of him.

Maggie Smith

I would love to take one portrait of Maggie Smith, one of the greatest and most distinguished character actors of our time. Name a well-done British period piece since the 1980s and it’s likely that Maggie had a role in it — or so it seems. In my head, I picture Maggie as the epitome of the distinguished Englishwoman. Plus she played Professor McGonagall, my favorite Hogwarts professor. That, by itself, is a reason for me to adore her.

All photos in this post copyright, someone else.

Scott’s Dream Photo Shoots, 4

Meryl Streep

Meryl is the best working actor of our time, I don’t think too many people can argue this. And that, by itself, is a good enough reason for me to want to photograph her. On screen, she so easily transforms herself into any woman she wants to be. But yet she still has her own distinct energy and personality, and that makes me want to shoot her ever more. You can look at her and just know that she’s kind. You can tell she’s funny. You can tell she’s not arrogant. I think having a photo shoot with Meryl would be nothing short of awesome.

Kellan Lutz

So maybe I had my 10 minute infatuation with that Taylor kid, but if there’s one reason to sit through those abominable Twilight movies, it’s Kellan Lutz. He’s just gorgeous. Kellan’s body is perfect, like he could have been the model for Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man. His face looks as perfect and angular as a Greek bust. That’s what it is: While I have my own photo series called, Gods, Kellan is as close to a living statue as any man I’ve ever seen. I’d love to work with him.

Liv Tyler

I’ve been mildly infatuated with Liv Tyler since I first saw her in “Stealing Beauty.” It’s curious to me that a man like Steven Tyler could have a daughter who like Liv, who looks like him and yet doesn’t. She’s just beautiful, and she carries herself with a poise that you don’t see often, anymore. She looks edgy and graceful at the same time, she’s gruff and soft-spoken at the same time. It’s these dichotomies that make me think she’d be an awesome photo subject.

All photos in this post copyright, someone else.

Scott’s Dream Photo Shoots, 3

Benjamin Godfre

I have been a fan of model Benjamin Godfre for several years. I like his style, his look and his attitude. If you peruse his website, www.benjamingodfre.com, you’ll see that he’s also uplifting and playful, which makes any shoot fun, and that he’s gotten more comfortable showing the whole of his body as he’s aged. (Who am I kidding, he’s only 24, I think!) I think a photo shoot with Benjamin Godfre would signify my arrival at a level of male physique photography of which I aspire. And I think, based on his photos, that we’d work well together. Oh, and another selling point: He seems to be a good person. He sells merchandise on his website to generate funds for underprivileged children, and in a couple of his videos it sounds like if you contact him, there’s a fair chance that he’ll reply. And yes, it kind of goes without saying that he’s easy on the eyes. Really, why wouldn’t I want to photograph this guy?

Alfre Woodard

I have to admit that I haven’t seen a lot of Alfre Woodard’s movies (“The Forgotten,” “Extremities,” “Grand Canyon”) but I love her, all the same. She’s classy and she’s beautiful. She has a face that I would think any photographer would want to shoot. I was thrilled to see her take a small role in “True Blood” — one of about three television shows that I actually like — as Lafayette’s mother, who might be crazy or she might be intuitive. (No spoilers! Jay and I are a season behind.) Seeing Alfre in any production just makes me happy. I’d love to work with her.

Scott Caan

I’m going to confess that the only reason Scott Caan is on this list is because I think he’s cute. When I am in the mood to watch TV and there’s nothing else on, I’ll go to the On-Demand screen and start an episode of Hawaii Five-o, just to watch Scott. Besides being cute, well, he’s short (5’5″ according to Google); I have a thing for short guys. And he’s not afraid of roles that require nudity. The only two reasons to watch “Varsity Blues” are Scott Caan, who has several butt shots, and Paul Walker; and in a movie called “Speed of Life,” Scott has a full frontal scene. I just think a shoot with Scott Caan would be fun.

All photos in this post copyright, someone else.

Scott’s Dream Photo Shoots, 2

Nigella Lawson

Nigella is beautiful, but there’s more than that. By watching her cooking shows (even by listening to her radio interviews) it’s clear that she loves life and she’s not afraid to enjoy herself. I love the way she talks — this goes beyond her delicious accent and her deep voice (it always reminds me of cake batter), but it also includes the words she selects. Nigella just has the perfect voice, I think I could be happy spending an afternoon listening to her talking, she could read from a coffee pot’s instruction manual for all I care. (And did I mention that she’s beautiful?) Spending time with her for a photo shoot, or anything, would be fantastic.

Jensen Ackles

I’ve called Jensen Ackles my “TV Boyfriend” since Supernatural went on the air in 2004. But his inclusion on this list goes beyond the fact that I think he’s cute, I like his style. I like the way clothes fit his body. I like the way he looks equally good in an Italian suit or in jeans and work boots. And I like his versatility — sometimes he is dashing, like a movie star from the 1950s; sometimes he is rugged, like the guy that could replace your water heater; sometimes he is boyish, like when he dons a goofy smile and you can see his freckles. I like that.

Tilda Swinton

All you have to do to wonder why I want to photograph Tilda Swinton is to look at these photos. I just referred to Jensen as versatile, but he has nothing on Tilda. She can transform herself into anything, it seems. She can be a gorgeous supermodel, she can be manishly androgynous, she can be intimidating, she can be vulnerable, she can be welcoming. She can be so many things that I imagine it would be a challenge to stick to a theme in a photo shoot with her. I’d love to find out.

All photos in this post copyright, someone else.

Scott’s Dream Photo Shoots, 1

Nick Youngquest

This Australian rugby player seems to enjoy taking his clothes off for photographers, so why shouldn’t I get in on that? Plus, I am interested in shooting guys with tattoos these days. Plus, rugby plays (especially those with accents) are just hot. Plus, Nick doesn’t seem to mind his gay fan base. Plus, I think we’d do great work together. I once posted a photo of Nick and three people told me that they thought it was my work. That was a huge compliment for me, but it seems to indicate that Nick’s photographic style might be in line with mine. Maybe?

Cate Blanchett

Another Australian, but do I really need to explain why this one is on my list? Just look at these photos, this woman is stunning. And it doesn’t hurt that I could spend a whole afternoon talking with her about her work. More than a few of my favorite movies of all time have Cate Blanchett in them. I have seen almost every movie that she’s made (The Good German, Bandits, Charlotte Gray, and Heaven are the only exceptions). I would love to sit with her in my studio, coffee in hand, talking all afternoon, and shooting the occasional photo. That would be my definition of awesome.

Channing Tatum

I can’t really explain what it is about this guy. He’s not the most attractive actor out there. His films are average, at best. His acting has never moved me to tears. But there is just something about him that’s magnetic. His photo shoots are also always really interesting (if Channing is on the cover of something, odds are good that I’m going to love the spread so much that I’ll buy the magazine, just for that). He brings forth style and attitude in photos that most people just can’t, even when they want to. I’d love to work with him.

All photos in this post copyright, someone else.