By Shawn Petrovich of Totally Ripped of Los Angeles, which specializes in photography and video of fitness models.
College Students Chosen for Photo Shoot Receive Luxury Key West Vacation
Expect the unexpected if you are a college student selected to be part of a male modeling shoot in sunny Key West, Florida.
What the students expected was a typical vacation condo in the Sunshine State or a shabby beach hotel; what they got was a complete access to a historic Key West mansion converted into a luxury resort! Here's how it happened:
The production crew had always rented cheap Florida hotels for models and crew during previous photo shoots. They'd visited Put-in-Bay, St. Petersburg, South Beach and points in between. They chose Key West early in the planning stages due to Key West's reputation as a "liberal" community that wouldn't object to young, good-looking guys walking around public beaches in underwear or less.
Searching for Key West Condos
To find lodging for the production, staff mailed letters to property management services in Key West. The staff chose to schedule their shoots during Key West's off season, so the crew could avoid crowds of onlookers on the beach. Neal Hirsch of Property Management of Key West responded, saying he would be happy to provide lodging at 1209 Virginia Street for our male models in exchange for an advertisement printed in the calendar we were photographing. So far, so good.
We had to look twice
Our cast of nine male models and crew of three arrived in Key West on a balmy spring day after a 23-hour road trip from Ohio State University in Columbus. Which reminds us: If you know a college student who has "male model" looks, you can nominate him to become a Campus Man. Just click "Nominate a New Student to Become a Campus Man" at the top of our front page. The guy you nominate won't recieve a luxury vacation, but he will be grateful you "nominated" him.
The students eagerly wanted to get out of the van after such a long roadtrip. The van's driver turned onto our condo's street. Expecting to see a bland condo, the van's driver inadertedly drove past 1209 Virginia Street. Once realizing the mistake, the drive backed up. At first, the students couldn't believe their eyes.
The property was anything but bland. It was a hundreds-year-old former cigar factory, turned mansion, turned posh rental condos. The property had its own name, called "Casa Gato" and had a historical marker. It had modern kitchens and baths, a posh black bottom pool area with spa, sitting rooms, luxurious bedrooms, formal gardens, fish ponds, tiki wet bars and centuries of architectural character. The students, accustomed to cheap spring break beach hotels, were in awe!
College Students Get Full Access to a Mansion
Neil handed us the keys and the models and crew settled in for a week of serious photography amid a lush tropical setting. Casa Gato itself provided a great background and discreet privacy for some semi-nude photo sessions. We photographed two college guys totally nude in the gardens, which was possible because of the privacy Casa Gato offered. Otherwise, it was a great base of operations for other photo locations around Key West.
Partying with Girls Latenight
After hours, the fun continued as models invited local chicks back to the resort for some very private "get to know you" time. Since the crew was given so many rooms, each guy could hook up with a chick in his own room.
Memorable Trip
Casa Gato provided a once-in-a-career experience for our amateur models and professional crew. Other photographers and producers should not expect to replicate such an opportunity. It was a fluke, but one we will always remember. If you would like to duplicate the experience these guys had during your vacation, we encourage you to book a Key West condo from Florida Vacation Rentals.