Something I have been thinking about lately is heterosexual male sensuality/beauty, and how it is depicted (or more accurately, excluded) in our visual culture. Certain aspects of male anatomy are commonly referenced in pop culture as a source of humor, but never depicted outside pornography (aside from a few brief glimpses in HBO’s Game of Thrones). Women’s bodies are idealized & commercialized to a far greater degree than mens’, and in turn has generated pushback in the form of body-positivity and a focus on inclusiveness. Is the same true for men? Maybe in the gay male cultural ecosystem, but not really for straight men, at least as far as I can tell.

This is a self-portrait series I shot recently, and truthfully I probably wouldn’t have even dared to attempt it if it wasn’t for some words of encouragement from a friend. It was a liberating experience, that felt simultaneously natural and forbidden. For all the times I’ve helped female clients have this kind of experience in photography, I very rarely have given myself permission to explore and play with it. I hope this inspires others to also have fun exploring their own sensuality.

Thank you for reading.