Discovering the work of photographer Blake Little

Los Angeles-based photographer Blake Little is “one of the most sought-after photographers in the world for his great editorial and celebrity images” according to The Advocate. Little has photographed every celebrity and athlete imaginable, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Cruise, The Rock, and Jane Lynch. The list goes on and on. His work has been featured in Time, People, ESPN, and projects for HBO.

Little's photography book entitled WORK, which profiles the “gay masculine archetype” established in his previous coffee table books (Preservation, The Company of Men, and Manifest).

What makes WORK particularly noteworthy to Nashville-area readers is that, for the first time in this series of work, Little features someone from here in Middle Tennessee. Harlen Crossen (aka “Papabear”) is a retired fireman and is featured on the back cover of WORK and in two double page spreads.

According to Crossen, his inclusion in the work began when he and his husband Jack visited friends, who mentioned that he resembled a man in one of Little’s previous books. After the friends showed them the book, Jack submitted photos of Crossen without letting him know first, and within two hours he received a call from Little, asking, “How soon can you be here?”

Harlen, a licensed realtor with The Wilson Group in Green Hills, lives an otherwise quiet life with his husband Jack (also a real estate broker) and his family here in the Nashville area. When asked if he’s ever done professional modeling previously, Crossen grinned and said, “No. But I was ‘Mr. July’ in the fireman calendar a long time ago. Does that count?”

When Little released the first image of Crossen on his personal Facebook page (see “bridge” photo), the response was overwhelming: Harlen received over 9,000 “friend” requests from gay men around the world over the following eight weeks. Since Facebook caps users at 5,000 friends, and Crossen continues to receive over a hundred requests a day, his husband created a private group on Facebook called “Harlen-Papabear” where Harlen can interact with this unexpected fan base from around the globe.

Little and Crossen signed copies of WORK in the outdoor lounge area of Stirrup in an event sponsored by the Nashville Grizzlies, the local inclusive rugby team. Little previously donated a signed copy of the book, presented by Crossen, to the Grizzlies’ silent auction portion of their annual Bachelor Auction event, to raise money for the club’s general fund.

For more information on the book visit WorkTheBook.com, and for more of the author’s work, check out BlakeLittle.com.


WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

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by Spectrum Medical Care Center

Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz

When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

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Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area

Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

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