I’ve always been a bit of a shutterbug, you know? Snapping pics of anything that caught my eye. But lately, I’ve been itching to try something new, something a bit… outside the box. So, I thought, why not dive into the world of nude photography? And not just any nudes, mind you – average men nudes.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Average men? Why?” Well, it’s simple, really. We see so much female nudity in art and media, but what about the fellas? I wanted to show the beauty and diversity of the male form, just as it is – no fancy lighting or professional models, just regular guys, comfortable in their own skin. I’ve got this idea stuck in my head, and I gotta see it through. So I started putting feelers out, asking friends, friends of friends, if anyone would be willing to strip down for my camera.
It was a slow start. Lots of “no thanks” and nervous laughs. But eventually, I found a few brave souls willing to give it a go. My first subject was my buddy, Mark. We set up in my living room, cleared out some space, and just went for it. It was awkward, I won’t lie. But as we went on, Mark started to relax, and I started to see the vision in my head come to life. The way the light hit his skin, the natural curves and lines of his body – it was all so real, so raw, and honestly, pretty damn beautiful. I feel my heart is pumping when I look through the lens, that’s the moment I know I am doing something right.
From there, things just kind of snowballed. Word got around, and more guys started reaching out, wanting to be a part of the project. I’ve shot construction workers, teachers, even a guy who works at the local grocery store. Each one unique, each one with their own story to tell. I have to say that I am so proud of what I have done. When the men look at their picture, they were surprised by their own body, how beautiful they are!
- First, I asked around to find willing participants.
- Then, I set up a makeshift studio in my living room.
- I started with my friend Mark, and we worked through the initial awkwardness.
- As more men joined, I photographed them in various settings.
- Finally, I compiled all the photos, seeing my vision fully realized.
I’ve now got a collection of almost 500 photos, and I’m thinking about putting them together in a book. Maybe call it “Bare Average Men” or something like that. It’s not about being shocking or provocative. It’s about celebrating the ordinary, the everyday. It’s about showing that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. This whole experience has been a real eye-opener, let me tell you. It’s taught me a lot about art, about the human body, and about the power of vulnerability. And who knows, maybe I’ll even inspire a few other folks to pick up a camera and see the world in a whole new way. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.
And I have to say these photos are not just some pictures to me, they are stories, I can see them dancing and singing in front of my eyes, and that’s what makes art great, right? I hope people can look at these photos and feel the same as I do!
So if you are interested in this kind of thing, just do it! Don’t be afraid. It will worth it!
Key Steps I Took:
- Conceptualized the idea of photographing average men in the nude.
- Recruited participants through word of mouth.
- Created a comfortable and safe environment for the photo shoots.
- Captured the unique essence of each individual.
- Assembled a diverse collection of photographs showcasing the beauty of average male bodies.
It is really nice to share my journey with you guys. Hope you enjoy the story and find it useful. I think I will share more stories like this!
