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Interview
by Edo Q ©
2009 CoverMen
Mag!
March, 2009
-Hello
Luke, I am really flattered to interview you, to start
thisnterview off, please give me some brief background
information.
I was raised in a small town
called Maquoketa, Iowa (not Ohio, or Idaho) and was
raised in a family of 5 boys from parents that were
born and raised in Iowa. My dad was an only child
and his dad was a blind lawyer. My mother was
a middle child (as am I) of a family of 6 girls &
1 brother. I received a Bachelor of Science degree
in Computer Graphics & Interactive Media from the
University of Dubuque. After all my travels, I
currently reside in Chicago, but not sure if this will
be permanent.
-Who discovered you and
convinced you to become a model? How did it happened
and where?
I was in Madison, Wisconsin while
still in college and a lady came up to me and asked
if I had ever thought about being a model. It
was an ego trip as I was with friends and she only asked
me. I looked into her agency and found out it
was a talent search and ultimately a scam. It
planted a seed though, and about 9 months later I went
into Chicago and met with agencies there. David
Love with Chosen Chicago (back then it was called Elite
Chicago), took interest in me right away and said I
could have a long career in this business, but needed
to move to Chicago. I was doing construction in
Iowa and had nothing to lose, so a month later I moved
to Chicago from small town Iowa.
-Describe
your first modeling experience, what was it like, where
was it held?
My first modeling experience
probably isn't worth mentioning, but my first memorable
experience was when I did Abercrombie & Fitch (2003
Summer Quarterly). About six months after starting
in the biz, David booked me on A&F, which was my
dream job from the get go. We shot down in Ft.Lauderdale,
FL. It was my first experience with catered food
and I was super paranoid about how fit I was. Looking
back, it would've been in my advantage to be more relaxed
and into the moment, but I wanted my body to be perfect.
Everyday was a different location and I ended
up staying until the very end of the shoot, but then
left before the last day because I got nervous when
Bruce Weber asked me to take my clothes off. I
did as he asked though because I wanted the photos for
my book. I have since conquered this fear.
-Tell
me about your working experience with Tony Duran, what
was it like working with such a great artist? What makes
Tony's photos so memorable?
Tony is a very
unique person. We related well, I think because
he grew up in Minnesota and is Midwestern at heart -
just as I am. Probably also because I was raised
as an artist (my mother was an art teacher) and we converse
easily, so the rapport is there. Anyways, his
work explains the rest and his ability to get great
shots on me is the reason he is where he is. I've
seen those photos all over the web. He knows what
people want to see. The Duran photos are some
of the best in my book.
-What kind of
assignments, as a model, do you prefer? Do you prefer
doing photo shoots for editorials or fashion shows?
I'm
at the point now where I like to get paid to work. I've
been modeling for 7 years and will probably be working
as one well into my forties. Some people have
longevity. Anyways, catalog work pays well and
is consistent -I like that. I'll do fashion shows if
the price is right. As for editorials, I could
always use the tearsheets as my look is constantly changing
and it stimulates the artist part of my brain. I
leave the marketing up to my agencies. I trust
them. They have more knowledge of the business than
I do.
-Surely you are a very successful
model, do you think you have already achieved your main
purposes in the modeling market? If not, which fashion
campaigns and which designers would you like to work
for?
I have worked for a handful of them
already. I don't care to mention names. That
would be tacky. This industry is like a roll of
the dice. People get lucky, and book major campaigns.
I'm grateful to have met some of the people I
have. And am happy to have developed impressionable
relationships with them. If I quit today, I would
say I'm a much better person because of the experiences
I have had. This is something I can pass on to
my unborn kids and is worth its weight in gold. Live
and learn. As for the next question, I just want
to stay busy. Keep the motivation alive. I
like staying hungry :).
-You are in great
shape Luke, what sports do you practice? Have you ever
tried any "extreme" sports?
I grew
up with sports. It kept my brothers and I from
killing each other, while honing our competitive drive.
I was legally blind up until my junior year of
high school. I couldn't see far away. I
was too embarrassed to wear glasses. This probably helped
in sports. I was never intimidated of a pitcher
in baseball or a running back running at me in the open
field during a football game. I was naturally
athletic. In basketball, I couldn't shoot for
shit, but was a team player and rebounded a lot. I
was best at football. I loved defense and loved
hitting people. I had a lot of aggression. I
played college football, but my career was cut short
after a serious concussion. I got knocked out,
catching a pass over the middle. OUCH!!
-Who
do you hang out with? Do you have any friends among
male and female models?
I have a few close
modeling friends. A buddy from Seattle, his name
is Tristyn Rowlin. Another buddy from Iowa with
my same name, Luke Hogan. Another friend of mine who
is more of an actor now, Noel Bax. Heres a bunch
of friends: Matt Ratliff (really nice), Brian
Newman (class act), Dan Blagaich (cool dude), Sandor
Johnson (worked with him a bunch), John Fritz (my role
model), Bobby Blanski (my NYC wingman). Theres
a bunch of girls too and other guys. I just can't
remember right now.
-What are some characteristics
of your personality? Which adjectives would you use
to describe yourself?
Wow tough question,
fun loving, easy-going, introverted at times, sometimes
crazy, sometimes sudated, passive, family-oriented,
easily amused, computer geek, artistic, late riser,
shades of gray, beer drinker, always perceptive, hardly
ever judging, sympathetic, intellectual, forgetful,
bad with numbers, good with words, almost distinguished,
gentlemenly, respectful, wears good jeans, left handed.
-Thanks
for sharing your story with me Luke, I wish you all
the best: health, happiness, love and continued success!
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