Mickey by Manuscript Photography

The model ...

Mickey by Manuscript Photography

Mickey is a young student and aspiring model originally from California. He is a very charismatic and romantic guy who loves the beach. Mickey is a sports enthusiast but academics are for him equally important.

He was discovered by photographer Michael Anthony Downs last year and he has recently worked with one of our favourite photographers at Stunning Men, the talented Manuscript Photography, whose work we have featured several times.

Not only is Mickey a gorgeous sexy man but he has a personality to match. You won't find a sweeter more charming guy and it truly was a pleasure to interview him.

 With his boyish great looks, lean toned physique and awesome personality, we will no doubt see more of Mickey in he near future, adorning billboards and gracing the pages of some top fashion magazines.

... the photographer

Manuscript Photography is based in Florida and New York, although he travels widely to work with models of all types. His style tends toward classical male portraiture with a modern edge. He prefers to shoot during the day, using only natural light. Recently he has begun to experiment more often with black and white, evoking a slightly vintage feeling. He says working with Mickey provided him with an excellent opportunity to hone his craft since Mickey is easy to work with, has great taste, and is one of those rare models who looks good from any angle.

Many thanks to Manuscript Photography for their permission to use some of their biography information and sharing these great photos and of course to Mickey for accepting the invitation to be featured.

Do check  Manuscript Photography ModelMayhem and

Manuscript Photography Facebook and Mickey's ModelMayhem page. Also make sure to visit and 'like' his facebook fan page!

 

All photographic copyrights to Manuscript Photography

 Here's Mickey's interview in full

Mickey, welcome to Stunning Men and a big thank you for taking the time to do the interview.

Absolutely! It’s truly an honour to be considered for your blog!

It’s totally our pleasure Mickey! Well ... could we start off with talking a little about yourself and your background?

Ahh let’s see ... I was born in Santa Cruz, California and lived there until I was four, my family and I then moved across country to Rochester, New York. I then moved again when I was sixteen to upstate New York to attend a Prep School that specialised in hockey. Hockey and Lacrosse were the two main sports I played through high school and will be continuing on into college. Along with sports, academics are an important part of my aspirations for the future as I received a huge scholarship to college due to my high school GPA. I look forward to playing high level collegiate sports and continuing on into the Honors Program at my school in Boston.

And how did you get into modelling?

It was a unique and interesting way I must say. It began with my friend Janero who pointed me toward ModelMayhem. That is where Manuscript Photography found me and referred me to Michael Downs (both fantastic photographers). I’m very lucky to have caught Manuscript Photography’s eye and he really is the reason I was able to get into modelling. Mike has taught me the ropes of modelling and how to further push my success as a model. His work speaks for itself and the fact that he was interested in shooting me was a shock in itself. It has truly been an honour to work with such great photographers and I can only look forward to what the future will hold.

What do you enjoy the most about it?

I would have to say seeing the finished product and how amazing the shots turn out to be. But also searching for backdrops has become enticingly exciting (Mickey laughs). Last time I was driving to a new location I ended up heading the wrong way down a one way street ... Needless to say it was quite a ride!

Let’s talk about photoshoots ... how do you prepare for them?

I usually consume less food, keep a soft diet the day of a shoot, and also only sip a little bit of water so it doesn’t saturate my abdominal muscles. Minutes before the shoot I usually get a light workout in, just to have a small pump in my muscles.

You have a great physique? Apart from playing hockey and Lacrosse, how do you keep in shape and healthy?

Sports have always helped keep me in great shape and I have also had some amazing physical trainers to thank as well. I enjoy going to the gym whenever I get a chance as I am always looking to build muscle for both modelling and sports. Having a sweet tooth makes eating healthy difficult but I am working on it (Mickey laughs again).

Since you mentioned the gym ... what are your top three favourite exercises and why?

Squats (great leg work out and very important for my sports). Weighted sit ups (trying to start getting some real pop in my abs). Speed and agility circuits (this is to keep my sports coordination keen and helps burn calories).

And what’s your best form of cardio?

Ever tried ice skating? Ridiculous leg and glutes workout and the cardio is amazing; in the winter I like to go out on the lake or to the Olympic oval and skate miles.

Now how do you keep motivated?

I know that building muscle will not only help in modelling but excel my athletic ability. Collegiate sports are very competitive so it is important to stay motivated.

How do you fit training and fitness into your life? Is it a difficult thing to achieve?

Miraculously! (More laughter) I’m currently working for both Ralph Lauren and Hollister while modelling and trying to squeeze the gym in. During the school year it will be much easier as I will be in the gym for sports anyways.

I have to say that you are a very good looking guy ...

Thank You!

... what do you think is your best asset?

Well in consideration of humility, I don’t really like speaking about myself, but I’ve been told I have “bedroom eyes” so I think I will go with that! (Mickey laughs).

I won’t argue with that! Now if you could change one thing about your body, what would that be?

Height, height ... and some more height would be nice.

How do you approach a challenge?

Tenaciously, I love challenges, both physical and mental. I love building my brain as much as I do my body.

Do you have any role models? People who inspire you?

Of course! It’s important to look up to people or be inspired by them, it helps you strive for greatness. My parents really inspire me to follow my dreams. I also look up to a lot of athletes who are so talented and humble. Modelling-wise I would have to say Greg Plitt, just a sensational model and motivator and incredibly well spoken.

What do you do in your down time?

Sleep, that’s all I have time for now. But if I do get a free minute or hour or day I love going to the beach!

Now a few quick fun questions if we may? Do you think you are a good date?

I’d sure like to think so! (Mickey laughs) I’m a romantic and very charismatic so I love making people feel comfortable and laugh.

What do you think is the secret to a good relationship?

Trust, by both people, which seems increasingly difficult to find these days.

Are you a brief man or a boxer kinda guy?

Both, depends on the situation generally but it’s never bad to have options.

What do you listen to on your iPod?

Everything and anything; I love music. I have everything from rock to rap to pop to country to jazz. John Mayer is probably my favourite artist though.

Your favourite song/piece of music to play while training/running?

I like rock and heavy techno when I train. Current favourite would have to be Starry Eyed by Kap Slap.

What kind of movies do you like?

Pretty affluent on movies too as I like almost every genre; I’m a pretty big fan of Channing Tatum, I think he is a great actor and his work ethic is incredible.

What can’t you live without?

Watches, I love wearing watches, I truly believe they make every outfit!     

You wouldn’t know, but I’m very good at ...

Racing, I love fast cars and pushing them to the limit. I also enjoy working on them, especially my 2011 wrx!

                                                                                 

I’m just not very good at ...

Rocket science, tying a bow tie, and politics! (Mickey laughs)

What’s the best thing ever invented?

I mean the cell phone is really rather handy! (More laughter)

What three words describe you best?

Tenacious, loving and generous.

One last question Mickey, where do you see yourself and what would you like to be doing in 10 years time?

I would love to be the CEO or VP or a very successful business, maybe married with a nice family, and finally, driving along the coast of California in a Lexus LFA.

Mickey, it has truly been a real pleasure to interview you! Thank you for your time and for being a good sport. All the best for the future!

Thank you so much it has really been an honour!

Anton Agat

by Artem Subbotin

Stunning Anton Agat is a young Russian sportsman and fitness model from Saint Petersburg.

The 25 year old athlete and former bodybuilder is very down to earth and is an extremely self disciplined man.

Anton has been very active from an early age and has practised many sports over the years.

 

He worked very hard to achieve success in bodybuilding and is now totally dedicated to his training and healthy living, to reach the ultimate physique and the goals he has set himself.

Anton is fairly new to fitness modelling and his love for self developing and learning is served well by this newly found passion, as it allows him to travel the world.

We are loving the photos from his recent shoot with the amazing Artem Subbotin, whose gorgeous work has been featured at Stunning Men several, and we hope to be able to share more with you in the near future.

Check Anton on facebook

All photographic copyrights to Artem Subbotin

Thanks once again to Andrei Korniv, Anton's agent, for his help!

Here's Anton's interview

Anton, welcome to Stunning Men and a big thank you for taking the time to do the interview.
Could we start off with talking a little about yourself and your background? You live in Saint Petersburg, Russia ...
Yes, at the moment I live in St. Petersburg, since 2011. I was born in Tomsk, in Siberia.

How did you get into modelling?
My modelling career started when I was living in Tomsk. It happened quite by accident. In a nightclub I met a photographer who invited me to work with him. I didn’t see him for a long time, but one evening, I was walking to work and saw him on the road. I  approached him and said hello. It turned out that he had spoken to a woman photographer, with whom he collaborated. Their plans were to shoot for male beauty and clothes. They invited me to participate in their project and it was my first shoot!

What do you enjoy the most about it?
I like to meet new, interesting and creative people. I like to learn new things, to develop. This work involves travel and trips from the Russian Federation, and I love to travel.

How do you prepare before a photoshoot?
Before the photo shoot, I go to a tanning shop, I make sure my skin is moisturised and I nourish my skin with special products.

You have a great physique. How do you keep in shape and healthy? Do you practise any sport?
Let's start with the fact that I have practised sports since the 1st grade. I am a professional Greco-Roman wrestler. I do a lot of swimming, go to the gym (fitness and powerlifting), I practise martial arts (boxing and kickboxing). Now I am keen on snowboarding. I have worked as a trainer in the field of fitness for 6 years now.

What are your top three favourite gym exercises and why?
Squats, bench press and deadlift. These are the three basic exercises that involve many muscle groups. They are especially important for beginners, as they give a strong foundation in the construction of the body.

What's the best form of cardio for you?
I will be brief ... Running – it’s the king of sports!

How do you keep motivated?
Sometimes I look through my old pictures from bodybuilding competition in the category of fitness, where I was much bigger. I strive to achieve similar results without the use of pharmaceuticals.

How do you fit training and fitness into your life? Is it a difficult thing to achieve?
Fitness plays an important role in my life, because I did it from an early age. I graduated in sports speciality, I defended a thesis on the subject of fitness, and I am still interested in this activity. It so happens that sport is always around me. I prefer to stay active always.

You are a good looking guy - what do you think is your best asset?
It is not for me to say really ... Many people say that I am kind and helpful. In sports, I have a few achievements; I have participated in many competitions, got good results and won prizes.

And if you could change one thing about your body, what would that be?
I would like my body weight to be around 80-83 kg.

How do you approach a challenge?
In complex situations, I try not to get lost and to achieve the desired result. When you do not know what to do, you should seek the advice of loved ones and friends.

What do you do in your down time?
The last few months I've been snowboarding (hard board for downhill). I also meet with friends; we go to a cafe and to the cinema.

Do you have any role models? People who inspire you?
I have no idols, I try to be myself.

Now a few quick fun questions if we may? Do you think you are a good date?
In my opinion it is obvious! (Anton laughs)

What do you think is the secret to a good relationship?
Trust and understanding.

Are you a brief man or a boxer kinda guy?
It depends on the situation.

What do you listen to on your iPod?
I have no specific musical preferences, I listen to diverse music.

Your favourite song / piece of music to play while training / running?
Cheerful music, energising. Like in advertising “Burn - to take off!” (Anton smiles)

What kind of movies do you like?
Horror, comedy, action and fantasy.

What can't you live without?
I can’t live without true friends, sports or Russian pancakes! (Anton gives us a huge smile)

You wouldn't know, but I'm very good at ...
... bodyweight squats! At school I loved wood cutting. Now at home I have a table and chairs as well as pots I made with my own hands.

I'm just not very good at ...
 ... algebraic computing logarithms!

One last question Anton, where do you see yourself and what would you like to be doing in 10 years time?
My dream is to have a fitness club.

Anton, it has been a great pleasure to interview you! Thank you for your time and for being a good sport. All the best for the future.