Two Trees, Nacho and Me: Part Dos
by habituallychic
07 . 31 . 12
It was fun watching the photo shoot with Nacho Figueras for Lifestyle Mirror and even more fun seeing which shots made the final cut. It also never occurred to me that photographer Candy Kennedy (that’s her photo above) would shoot him in black and white. It was a grey day in the Hamptons so it worked well with the moody sky.
When ever anyone mentions Nacho Figueras, they always talk about how hot he is but after you meet him, it’s clear that he is much more than a pretty face. First, he came to the shoot alone. He didn’t arrive with an entourage and doesn’t even have a publicist. Which is funny since he is the unofficial publicist for the sport of polo. He greeted everyone first and couldn’t have been more polite. When he was walking out to the barn with a few of us, he held the door like a gentleman. He wasn’t afraid to speak up though when he thought a certain shot wasn’t appropriate for a husband and father of three. He also cracked jokes about it to lighten the mood.
Everyone on the shoot agreed that it was amazing to watch him ride a horse with one hand. Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras grew up riding horse in his native Argentina since he was eight years old so it’s no wonder that it looks so easy for him. It was photographer Bruce Weber who started his modeling career and eventual work with Ralph Lauren. Polo is an expensive sport and the modeling work helps pay for the numerous ponies that he uses in each match. Horse can gallop up to 45 mph and run two miles in a chukker so it’s necessary to switch them to rest. I also learned that the horses manes are braided down so it doesn’t get caught in the polo mallet. They will only spend two months in Bridgehampton before following the polo circuit to the next destination.
Nacho not only brings attention to the sport of polo but also gives back. He is very involved with Work to Ride, a non-profit organization that offers horse riding and even polo to disadvantaged youths. There is a lot of grooming and responsibility that comes with riding a horse and as I mentioned earlier, relaxation, that keeps them on the straight and narrow path.
The shoot had to end by 6:30pm so Nacho could ride his horses. He didn’t just leave though. He made sure he thanked everyone on the shoot. His impeccable manners and immense talent are what I will remember from the Lifestyle Mirror shoot and what I will tell people the next time they only talk about his looks.
Nacho in the make up chair. Not that he needed much.
Photo by Candy Kennedy for Lifestyle Mirror.
Photo by Candy Kennedy for Lifestyle Mirror.
Nacho did not own this horse but it’s clear that he is a real “horse whisperer.”
Photo by Candy Kennedy for Lifestyle Mirror.
Photo by Candy Kennedy for Lifestyle Mirror.
Photo by Candy Kennedy for Lifestyle Mirror.
Photo by Candy Kennedy for Lifestyle Mirror.
Photos by Heather Clawson except where otherwise noted.
11 Comments
Thank you Heather for sharing with us Nacho’s character. He is a true gentleman. I hope other celebrities will learn from his example. We need more gentlemen like him.
Really beautiful. That must have been one tough day at work.
Wow, what a long day that must have been! I am sure it was really rough! How wonderful are those photo, and the horses too!
Wow, what a long day that must have been! I am sure it was really rough! How wonderful are those photo, and the horses too!
Christian Grey! I only read a chapter or two of Fifty Shades Of Grey (I found it kinda creepy). But from the little I did read Christian is just plain beautiful.
Nacho…….wow! If that book should ever become a movie I think he would make a wonderful Christian Grey.
He is one beautiful man.
My sister’s husband flew him yesterday on a private helicopter charter. . .I somehow missed your Part 1 but may never forget the eye candy in Part 2. How awesome you were able to follow him on the shoot. . .I would have passed out cold!
nice, very nice, I love Nachos!
Wow Heather so many gorgeous shots. Not only is he a talented and handsome man; a gentleman as well!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Dear Heather –
Thank you for making your post the highlight of my day thus far! Ahhh…
Regards,
Amy
Thump..
The sound I made when I hit the floor .
Sweet Jesus!
Thank you Heather!
What a lovely shoot. This was a great way to start my day…thank you. Jx