There are a growing number of modeling agencies, but when it comes to a full-service agency that exclusively caters to all male models, Dallas-based Men’s Board Management is one-of-a-kind.
“Men’s Board is a full-service agency that has made placements in Paris, New York, LA and Miami. We’ve partnered with some of the top agencies like Boss Models. We book many of our guys for commercial print in Dallas, which is one of the larger markets for catalog and print in the U.S. We [Dallas] have a ton of Fortune 500 companies. Some of the big names in the industry are JC Penney, Neiman Marcus, Radio Shack, 7-Eleven and American Airlines,” vaunts founder, Eric Ganison. Ganison has lived in Dallas since high school.
When he was at the top of his game, former model, Ganison was encouraged by a professional photographer to pick up a camera because he could sense the fascination.
That command was just what Ganison needed to steer him in the right direction and discover his gift in photography. “I was the only black photographer in the studio at Fossil Company for nine years,” he remembers.
Why is he so fascinated with shooting fashion?
“It’s the creative aspect of it. You can interpret your own fashion, your style without being stuck within the guidelines of the designer. You can express what you like and like to wear, shoot it and express it in multiple ways. There’s the lighting, visualization, composition and so much more.”
Having worked in Taiwan, Paris and the states, Ganison knows the ins and outs of the modeling business. With his strong connections, he’s optimistic about the opportunities for men of color.
“I can honestly say the industry has opened its doors to booking and accepting models of color. I continually promote that minority models can sell just as strong as European and Anglo models.”
In terms of keeping his modeling agency progressive, Ganison aspires to work with GQ and Men’s Vogue. He recruits models come from all walks of life.
“I recruit through regular model searches in different cities. I love going to small towns and rural areas. You never know, you might find your diamond in the rough.
“I have scouted guys walking through grocery stores, Wal-Mart and on the basketball courts. I am always scouting everywhere.”
