Panthers is Matt’s humble homage to the aesthetic of the Black Panther Party, and it comes complete with a funk, soul and spoken word soundtrack. These images go back several years and were exhibited at an event put on by the Pikto Gallery, in Toronto’s Distillery District.
Take a gypsy cab outta Harlem and ride it past the jump for the rest of the series, as well as a video from the night of the gallery show. Right on.
A follow up, as this is 2012 and I am a firm supporter of Women’s Lib, to yesterday’s Boys of Summer post, but today applauding the fairer sex. Granted, these may be a little more Spice Girl than Simone de Beauvoir when it comes to girl power, there is now a state of gender equilibrium on the Passing Shot - liberate the rest of the series, after the jump.
While perhaps a tad premature to celebrate the beginning of those dog days, today we shall laud Matt’s homage to summer - which in parts has the feel of The Outsiders, had it alternatively been written by Edmund White. The series reflects Matt’s own adolescence, including moments spent drinking and playing with guns in the woods, all the while clad in vintage clothing…you know, typical teen stuff. Take the jump (back to juvenile delinquency) for the series in it’s entirety.
Shots hot off the press, for Himel Brothers bespoke leather craftsmen and Japan’s Clutch Magazine. Ride the jump (in the safety of a horsehide cossak jacket) for the rest of the series…
As Matt’s image graces the front cover of Call Me Fitz’s complete first season, I thought it a better time than any to have a look back on the complete series of images shot of Jason Priestly & co - including a few that have yet to surface and several barmy behind the scenes shots. Seeing the first season DVD in stores reaffirmed the fun Matt had working with Jason and series creator Sheri Elwood, and firmly stamped in his mind that it’s the best gig he’s had thus far. Make sure to click through the jump for the rest of the photos.
“Matt has this way of having girls panties drop”
In Matt’s syndicate of sitters, Oksana has remained constant. The juxtaposition between her innocence and sexuality is right up Matt’s alley, and today’s Passing Shot is a tribute to their work together.
Matt met Oksana at the start of a self-confessed rebellious stage, and he used this energy to cast her as a miscellany of stimulating characters; from a nymphet Girl Scout to a provocative Pocahontas. Oksana relishes a day of debauched dress up and admits that Matt holds a special place in her heart - he gets away with a lot more than most shooters when it comes to what she’ll do for him, especially when she’s draped in vintage Dior and Versace. Not one to shy away from the controversial, and certainly not nervous in the nude, Oksana’s regret-free attitude and ability to to roleplay are just several reasons why she’s a go-to model. Matt is an unabashed fetishist - vintage costumes & girls smoking specifically - and in Oksana he has a votary that can fulfill his vision.
Make sure to follow the jump for the full Oksana retrospective.
Have you ever pictured Dog Day Afternoon with a cast of all-star stunners in lieu of John Cazale and Al Pacino? Alright me neither, but Matt and Headrush certainly did, and the results are bankable! The storied 205 Yonge Street location backdrops a series chock-full of eye-candy, with the likes of Lana Tailor, Tara Elliot, Angelina Polska, Tailor James, Emma Morin and Lexi Belle all causing quite the ruckus, despite the best efforts of security guards Matt Leblanc, Travis Schweyer and Carl Forrest. Matt was a lucky bastard privileged to have such an enchanting ensemble to work with, including the infamous Lexi, who flew to Toronto just to be apart of the heist. Also on set were the ever-present Bossy Girls, Vili & Caitlin, providing styling/hair & makeup, Fashion Television (may it rest in peace), and the lads of Spot Cinema, who put together the wonderful video that precedes the jump.
Special mention must go to Vistek, who provided Matt with the new Canon 5D Mark 3 to play with - a more geek-centric review of which can be found at the conclusion of all this lustfulness!
An ace of a shot today, thanks to Matt’s work with Harry Rosen; photographing tennis luminary Milos Raonic. Born in the former Yugoslavia but raised in Canada, Milos is currently ranked twenty-fifth in the ATP standings, up from one-hundred & fifty sixth back in 2010. It seems that with a little help from sponsor Lacoste, Raonic is an all-rounder both on and off of the court - follow the jump for a video from Spot Cinema, before I serve up a double fault of tennis puns!
Over 2500 people packed and pushed their way into the Brickworks on Friday for UNO, an art show curated by a longtime friend of Matt, the inimitable Clay Rochemont. Matt was privileged to show alongside the likes of Mike Giant & Bryan Espiritu and thanks to food from (nearly permanent) pop-up restaurant La Carnita, as well as plenty of booze, a bacchanalian time was had by all- especially those who had braved the hourlong line outside!
The first image of Matt’s for UNO, shown above, features the floral talents of Sweetpea’s, which can be found on Roncesvalles in Toronto. The second, directly below, was shot at eerie Rattlesnake Point, and is of Owen, the nephew of famed & favourite prop stylist Donna Irvine. A little behind the scenes look into the makings of both shots can be found after the jump, as well as a few photos from Friday’s fête.
