Household Idols

"IN THE SPRING OF 2008, THE ARTIST BEAU HOSTED AN ARTISTS’ DINNER AT HIS APARTMENT IN WEST HOLLYWOOD WHERE I HAD THE HONOR OF VIEWING MARK HENDERSON’S PORTFOLIO. FOUR WEEKS LATER, MARK CAME TO THE HILLS OF HOLLYWOOD TO VISIT RON AND ME AND TO USE OUR POOL AND HOME AS THE LOCATION FOR A PHOTO-SHOOT. I WITNESSED FIRST-HAND HOW PROFESSIONALLY MARK HANDLED HIS MODELS, HOW CREATIVELY AND INTUITIVELY HE USED LIGHT TO PUT HIS IDEAS INTO ACTION. WHEN I SAW THE FINISHED IMAGES, I IMMEDIATELY KNEW THAT HIS WORK MERITED A BOOK OF ITS OWN." – Henning Von Berg, photographer.

Just imagine: a beautiful house in the Hollywood Hills, with warm, sun-drenched rooms and an intimate pool, and it is full of beautiful, well-built sexy men, waiting for you to come home. An impossible dream? Not at all. You find it all in hand reach, with Mark Henderson’s 2008 photo book Household Idols. The title says it all. The men Mark photographed are indeed idolic. They are sensual in the most masculine way. Their amazing bodies are real life sculptures, pieces of art. They seem unobtainable. But Mark Henderson placed them in an environment so well-known, so domestic and recognizable, that these god-like creatures have become real human beings, and you only have to close your eyes to imagine them in your own house. Or just flip the pages of Household Idols.

Photographer Jeff Palmer once said that what really defines a great artist is the development of a style that is the hallmark of his work. It is that element that makes you recognize a piece of art as someone’s creation. Mark Henderson definitely has found his style, and when you see his work you can say “That’s a Henderson.” He shows a great sensibility to light and creates magic by playing with strong contrasts between dark and light and the usage of carefully selected colors. Mark’s photography has a painterly quality and shows the knowledge and experience he got being an art historian specialized in Northern and Southern European painting of the 17th century.

The usage of color and delicate props like silk, satin and faux furs in combination with the strong masculinity of the models, has created a sensuous baroque atmosphere. "I often asked the models  to imagine they are awaiting the return of their lover, which helps create an atmosphere fraught with the potential for romance," Mark explains. "Therefore I select models who are not only handsome with chiseled physiques, but ones who can evoke this sense of romantic anticipation." Mark Henderson’s Household Idols is a unique journey, and guaranteed that after the first few pages you immediately feel at home. –B-

Household Idols by Mark Henderson is published by Bruno Gmünder and comes in hardcover version with 160 pages of beautiful full color photography.

MARK HENDERSON | BEAUTIFUL
BRUNO GMÜNDER | BEAUTIFUL

Comments

[Reese]

Hi Beautiful,

Very nicely written article. I enjoyed the read, and sound like you enjoyed the book!
Thank You again for my wish, Oh I'm going to bed early because I'm an extra In a new Harrison Ford movie....

Reese Rideout

[Stu E]

Great article man, the pics are fantastic too

Stu-E

[John Hough]

Mark never ceases to amaze me, as a fellow photographer I can really appreciate the effort he puts into each session. It is hard work and it truly shows in his work. I have watched Mark's work get better and better with each session. I hate to say this but I am truly jealous of his talent, but at the same time, it makes me want to try harder

John Hough

[DamonDanilo]

Great article and a amazing book.I was fortunate to work with Mark and have several pictures in this book.

Mark we still have to go to Shakeys and celebrate:)After our next shoot.

Damon Danilo

[Mark]

HOUSEHOLD IDOLS is a most unique and ICONIC tome of masculine photography. Each and every page is the penultimate story of virility. I have had the honor to possess this most astonishing artistic work from the moment it was published . Each day is a new adventure owning this book, as each new image and page bursts with energy.
YES WOW is all I can add to these already glowing comments

[Steve]

Beautiful models. Beautiful photography. Great use of color and lighting techniques. A masterpiece! Congratulations to Mark Henderson and all his models. I will be ordering my copy of "Household Idols" now.

[Dino H.]

Mark Henderson is one of the most talented photographers I have ever worked with. In many years past, I had been fortunate to shoot with some of the great masters of photography..Mark Henderson is an example of a "uniquely, talented, great American photographer" who's usage of color, vision and style, far surpasses any of his contemporary colleagues. I had the fortune to shoot with Mark on a couple of occasions and have enjoyed the attention from being a part of his beautiful book, "Household Idols". I look forward to his next great work!

[Andre DeLoach]

If you find the work featured here online to be beautiful, you have not seen anything yet!

Treat yourself to your own personal copy of the book. It is exquisite!

Andre

[Andre]

The work is of such a high standard, visually powerful and tastefully done, sure to be an asset to any book lover and person appreciative of the male form in all it's glory.

[Martin]

Mark's work never fails to amaze and impress!

[Serg]

To have a collection of Mark's amazing work in one book is truly something to not pass up. The images created by him and the models genuinely shows creative genius. His talent and style has always been an inspiration.

[Rodney Washington]

Congratulations on your Beautiful debut! Your beautiful work on a beautiful blog a perfect marriage.

Congratulation to both of you,

Rodney Washington
StudioGuyzMag.blogspot.com

[wanker]

BRAVO for showing male nudity at its finest!