ChristianHogue
I told Christian during our shoot that I was trying to think of questions he hadn’t already answered. I imagined he’d done enough interviews to be familiar with almost anything I could ask.
He made a point I liked: sometimes the questions are the same, but your answers change as you get older.
We covered quite a bit that afternoon. He was easy to photograph, and we kept talking as we worked. I commented on how comfortable he seemed in front of the camera. We also talked about the kind of work he wants to do now, and things that had nothing to do with modeling.
I sent him these questions afterward, before I’d started editing the photos. There were a few things I wanted to return to while the conversation was still fresh.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY TON GOMES IN NYC
So, what does modeling mean to you now?
At this point, it’s become more of a passion project for me. I’m in this for the love of creating and seeing what new avenues I can find in this world.
You seemed very comfortable in front of the camera, but you told me it wasn’t always that way. How has being photographed changed for you?
It’s almost second nature at this point. I don’t know many people who know how to move naturally from the beginning, so it’s a big learning curve to open up and let your mind go. I’m always looking to make a new movement I’ve never done before, to capture a moment I haven’t captured before.
You mentioned skydiving when we were talking about posing. What’s the connection?
It’s easy to feel like you need to be moving your whole body to make a new pose, but in reality you only need to move a couple of inches. Relax your fingers, move your eyes, shift your weight. Micro movements can change the whole look and feel of a photo, just like when skydiving — any slight movement will change your direction.
What makes someone good at modeling, beyond how they look?
I’ve learned that letting go of your ego, opening yourself up to look foolish, and being able to adapt to your environment makes for a great model.
We photographed you mostly dressed that afternoon, apart from the last set. You also mentioned wanting people to see more than your physique. What would you like people to see when they look at your work now?
I feel my physique has gotten me incredibly far in this industry, and I have worked for many high-fashion brands in the mix, but I feel I am seen as the body guy. I would like not to switch this, but to meld the two, where I can get the best of both worlds without one overshadowing the other.
What has getting older given you as a model?
Peace of mind. I’m no longer rushing, running, worrying. I know how it all works. I’ve adapted to how modeling works in this day and age. I’m not stretching myself thin trying to do it all and everything at once.
Has your sense of ownership over your own image changed over the years?
Yes, of course. I tend to make sure I have a bit of control when shooting to keep my image. I don’t just allow anything to be shot. I will voice my concerns or feelings before a photo is taken to preserve the image I have built over the years.
Has being so visible changed what privacy means to you?
Incredibly. After being so much in the public eye, I value my privacy greatly. I’ve noticed that by doing this, the world tends to create its own narrative of your life while you’re away or not giving as many details.
I prefer being somewhere where no one knows my location, where they can’t reach me. But then I also work in this field of fashion, so it’s kind of a double-edged sword.
At this point in your life, what are you still chasing?
I don’t ever want to stop chasing. I think this is what drives me. I want to learn and fail over and over again just so I can experience as much as possible.
I am currently chasing my dream of having a ranch where my whole family can live.
