How do you know when you see true beauty? How do you recognize it? Will it come in an obvious form? Or is there a hidden dimension of beauty that is not so easy to see?
Tom Shagass's work reveals ethnic diversity and age diversity. His images represent beauty--on a non-superficial level. The variety of faces--each distinctly beautiful in unique ways, is what makes Tom's work fully aesthetic: and in this sense his photographs are art.
Often in the industry, the models begin to look like clones of one another: at which point the element of beauty is lost. For beauty can only exist where there is diversity. Tom has a true eye for what is beautiful because he can appreciate the element of beauty in many singular forms.
One particular image of a beautiful woman against a graffiti splattered wall, is nothing less than striking. This is a portrayal of what I call rogue beauty. When a lovely model is placed in front of controversial art, the art becomes more aesthetically appealing. This is beauty by association. There is no separation between beauty and art. What is beautiful is art: and what is art is beautiful.
A gift that Tom undoubtedly possesses as a photographer is his ability to capture inner emotion. The beauty that begins within and flows out is truly inspiring. There is a certain raw element of beauty when it surges from an emotional level. Yet, at the same time, Tom's work is very refined: there is nothing excessive, gratuitous, or un-called for. Each image is a perfect representation of inner and outer beauty wrapped into one.
It was quite a pleasure, modeling for Tom Shagass. We did both outdoor and indoor shoots. Tom found a great spot in front of an apartment near Fort Greene Park. He liked the way the paint was peeling on certain parts of the wall. One thing about Tom--he has an eye for detail. What makes him such an expert at what he does is that he will see the little things that most of us overlook.
Do you need me to help carry anything? I asked Tom at our on-location shoot.
You just look beautiful, he said. That's why you're here.
You can check out Tom's work here: