interview with photographer sasha olsen about his recent art-book BEACH BOYS
I´m absolutely happy and proud to share this interview
with my super-talented friend
Sasha Olsen
instagram: @sashaxolsen
We´re talking about his first book project “BEACH BOYS” which came out in the beginning of 2024 . This art-book showcases 93 of the most beautiful men from all over the world on 240 pages. And I can say some of them were previous “louscious hommes” like Christian Hogue, Quentin Esseiva, Sergio Perdomo or Sebastian Thrane.
So now my lovelies, grab a cup of tea or coffee and dive into the journey of BEACH BOYS…
Your first book BEACH BOYS just came out. And it’s literally a compendium of the most attractive men of the planet. What inspired you to create "Beach Boys"?
Thank you for your kind words! I love the beach and the sea. I was born in a city by the sea, and I feel most comfortable in places with similar characteristics, whether that's in Lisbon, Bali, or Cape Town—three of my favorite places where I have been spending some time. Over the past few years, I've also developed a strong portfolio featuring male models. So, I thought, why not create something that combines the two? With this idea, I began to explore the concept of a sailor and how much fashion has been inspired by the sailor figure, from past influences to modern times, like the iconic Jean Paul Gaultier campaigns. That's how "Beach Boys" came to be.
How did you choose the locations for the shoots, and what factors did you consider to ensure privacy and comfort for your models?
This book was photographed over the course of three years, during which I traveled extensively. Most of the places I visited were close to the sea or had stunning beaches, making it easy to choose locations. In many ways, the locations chose me because of their natural beauty. Each photograph in this book has a story, and some models were initially scheduled for other projects but agreed to participate in this one, often taking an extra day to shoot. I'm very grateful for their flexibility. Others were planned specifically for "Beach Boys." Coordinating with their agents was crucial, and they were instrumental in bringing this project to life.
"Beach Boys" features nudity but also some simple fashion inspired by the sailor figure. Not all models are comfortable with nudity, and there are various levels of nudity, so I always respected their comfort levels and that is very important. The book is filled with candid and spontaneous shots that truly capture its essence and those shots would be impossible to take if the model wouldn’t be 100% comfortable with everything.
When shooting nudity, we chose specific times of the day when the beach was empty or looked for beaches where it was permitted. Sometimes, we hiked and explored to find more secluded and wild beaches, as we did in locations in Australia and South Africa. This ensured the models had the privacy they needed. A memorable shot of Sergio Perdomo lying among dozens of empty beach chairs in Italy just came to mind. I had seen images of this beach before, so the shoot was well-planned. I traveled with Sergio and Luca Heulb for two hours by train from Milan to this location that day. We took the photograph at the peak of summer, waiting for everyone to leave the beach, which was absolutely packed. It’s a photo that means a lot to me.
sergio perdomo
What were some of the challenges you faced while shooting this project?
I didn't face many challenges while shooting for "Beach Boys"; in fact, most shoots went exactly as planned or even better. There were times when we had to walk a lot, which could be tiring—not because I'm not active, but mostly because I had to carry my equipment. However, it was always rewarding. For example, when I shot Sebastian Simons in Cape Town, he suggested we hike to a stunning beach in the Cape of Good Hope with his surfboard and all my gear. It was a bit challenging, especially because during the shoot we had to keep an eye on our belongings, particularly food, due to the curious baboons inhabiting the area. Despite the challenges, the images, both digital and on film, turned out amazing and very authentic. It was one of my favorite shoots and definitely one of the best summer days I spent in South Africa. The sunset was just magical that day.
I also shot some models at Praia da Ursa in Sintra, Portugal, considered one of the best beaches in Europe where nudity is apparently allowed. The beach is located near the westernmost point of Europe and is somewhat remote, requiring a 20 to 30 minute hike down a hill to reach it. I've hiked that beach up and down many times, so that's another example that was challeging in the good way. Shooting for "Beach Boys" required me to be fit and healthy!
However, the greatest challenge came after having all the photographs ready—compiling the book. Choosing the most exceptional images from a wealth of options to fill 240 pages was quite challenging. Originally planned as two volumes, consolidating everything into one required meticulous effort. I'm immensely grateful for the invaluable assistance of Huw Gwyther, who has over 20 years of experience as an editor for his prestigious magazines and has worked on other notable projects, including some of Mario Testino’s books. Huw's expertise was essential in helping me curate the best images for the book.
sebastian simons
How do you guide models in posing to achieve the desired artistic effect while ensuring they feel comfortable and respected?
My photography is often spontaneous. While I always start with a concrete moodboard, concept, or idea for each story, the final result is influenced by the feelings and emotions present in the moment of the shoot. Of course this can change if I'm shooting for a project or client with specific mood requirements. I tend to capture spontaneous or candid moments, that occur when the subject feels comfortable. To ensure their comfort, I prioritize clear communication, outlining expectations for the shoot. I also encourage models to be themselves and give them space to pose or perform within their comfort zone.
giorgio ramondetta
We have been going through a crazy time since 2020. How much did the pandemic have an impact on you and your creativity?
If you are referring to the hardcore pandemic times when we had to be at home with very little freedom, I would say that I became more creative in the sense that I needed to find ways to spend my time. Because of my photography, I tend to be outside a lot, and I couldn’t do that anymore, so I started to get into some of my other creative hobbies like drawing and painting. Music and cinema also helped a lot and still do in boosting my creativity.
Each time I had the opportunity to travel, I would do it so when the US finally opened to travellers I was probably one of the first ones to enter, coming from a trip in Mexico and as mentioned previosly, it was in California that the decision of going ahead with Beach Boys as a book, was born. Probably because I was in all those lockdowns before, like the majority of us, my creativity allowed me to plan the foundations for the making of this whole book idea.Now that things have gone back to normal, I value freedom and the world even more. The connection I have with so many different and special places around the globe, and seeing all its beauty, is definitely very inspiring and important to my creative input as well.
christian hogue
What do you think is the most difficult thing in being a creative these days?
I think the most difficult thing in being a creative these days is being original and true to yourself. We live in a fast-paced social media era where everyone just copies everyone, and people don’t really have a sense of culture. Buying more books, visiting more museums, watching good cinema, listening to good music and actually letting yourself be truly inspired and find your own path is what is really important. All the distractions and constant dopamine brought to you by your phone screen can sometimes be the most difficult thing and serve as a distraction from allowing you to truly creative.
karl kugelmann
What was the most unusual location where you did a shooting?
If you know my photography, you know that I usually shoot in very unique locations in terms of beauty, such as historical buildings—some of which I am very privileged and grateful to have access to—or in dramatic landscapes at golden hour. So, I think I’ve rarely shot in anything out of the ordinary. However, I shot a campaign for a clothing brand last year in Bali at several locations around the island, one of which was a very busy local market in the middle of the day. I must say that being with a crew there was quite a unique experience—not because the location itself was unusual, but because it was culturally something new to me.
When I was shooting for "Beach Boys," I also photographed on some unique beaches. While I don’t consider a beach itself to be unusual, their rock formations or the ocean's moodiness on certain days could make them quite unique for me. I remember shooting Paul Ferrari on a beach in Portugal that had a rock resembling a half-moon in the middle of it. It was extremely unique and very useful as a backdrop for my photography. There is one particular image in the book of Paul on top of that rock that I find very special. We were actually quite tired from shooting for another project in the previous days and used that extra day to shoot for "Beach Boys." Paul recited a beautiful poem in Italian on that beach, which I still have on video. It was an amazing moment! Memories like this, associated with the location, become not just unusual but special moments that are then immortalized through the art of photography.
paul ferrari
When someone finds out what you do, what question do they always ask you?
I think people usually want to know how it started. A recurrent question people ask me when they find out what I do is, “How did you get into photography?” They are often very surprised to learn that it wasn't that long ago, perhaps because I am also not that old!
You worked with a lot of people already. Who would like to shoot next or what kind of project would you die for working on ?
I never set expectations on who I want to shoot. I believe in God and that the right things happen at the right time, so I am very grateful to work with anyone who also wants to collaborate with me. I don't aspire to shoot someone very famous and I will be just as happy and grateful to work with a celebrity as with an unknown model. As long as there is respect, talent, and a willingness to create something amazing, I will always be humbled by the opportunity and privilege to create my art and be able to share it.
Regarding my next project, I thoroughly enjoyed the process of creating "BeachBoys" because, for the first time, I had the opportunity to create something that was truly my own as a whole body of work. I am eternally grateful to everyone who has been buying the book and showing so much love and support for my photography and that really means a lot to me! Because this experience has been so amazing, I am already contemplating my next project or book. It is still in its very early stages, so I don't have much more to say about it at the moment, especially because I am still fully immersed in and enjoying this "Beach Boys" era of summer 2024.
gabriele mocini
You captured 93 models for this project. How did you decide who will be on the cover ?
Micah felt like the natural choice. He was the first model I shot for this project, and honestly, the concept came to life with him in mind as its face. We became friends by working together in the past, but this was a new direction for both of us, especially since he had never done anything involving nudity before. We both felt Malibu was the perfect location — the natural beauty of the setting paired well with the intimate, vulnerable atmosphere we wanted to capture.
Micah was incredibly generous in trusting me to guide him through something so personal and outside his usual comfort zone and the whole day was amazing; it went beyond just taking photos. It was a collaborative experience where we ended up having so much fun along the way. I remember after the shoot, he took me to this fantastic pizza place nearby, and we just sat there, talking and laughing, enjoying what was easily one of the best pizzas I've ever had. It was one of those days that felt effortless and meaningful all at once, and that energy really shows in the final images.
micah plath
What are you looking forward to in the coming months? Anything you can tell us about ?
I have some exciting new projects lined up with brands and magazines I really like. I am also thinking about and preparing for my next personal project, similar to "Beach Boys." It needs to be something truly well thought out and authentic.
david bodas
Now some more private questions…
What was the last photo you took?
I think it was a photo of a friend blowing out candles on her birthday cake, taken with my phone.
What skill or talent would you most like to learn?
I would love to learn how to sing professionally and play piano correctly.
alex klose
What’s your idea of a great day?
I think a well spent day with either one of my grandmothers would be a great one!
What is your absolutely favorite food you’re never get tired of ?
This might sound a bit too cliché but I love a good toast with smashed avo and scrambled eggs or a really nice cheeseburger. There is this really nice café in Canggu, Bali called Motion and they have the best protein waffles ever, I wouldn't mind eating one of those every day too!
marian rey
What are some of your personal “rules” that you never break?
Rules were made to be broken.
What’s one thing that totally relaxes you, when you are stressed ?
Music is incredibly powerful and has the ability to completely change my mood for the better, making me feel more relaxed.
carlos bottcher
If you had a big red button, and could assign it to do one thing every time you pressed it, what would you want it to do?
I would use that red button each time I wanted to drink some ice tea.
If you could start a charity, what would it be for?
I would start a charity for children who want to get into the arts, whether it's photography, acting, painting, or any other artistic field, but don't have the support or means to pursue their passion.
