ShutterClickPhx: FaVorites

'I’m in it 100% for the art… not for praise, the feedback, or as an ego boost.'

Jeff, ShutterClickPhx

If you post something on-line, and no one responds, was it ever actually seen.  Following the 'if a tree falls in the forest' philosophy, as 'noisy' as the Internet can be, sometimes it doesn't make a sound.  For some, who use the net for feedback and validation, this can be difficult, for others however, the silence is welcome. Jeff from ShutterClickPhx welcomes the silence. Jeff seeks and receives his validation in more personal ways, ways that don't depend on virtual responses. 

I first featured Jeff's work back in 2016. (Good to Go) In that piece, in addition to sharing his work with Jacob,  Jeff shared his philosophy working behind the camera and his process for capturing such powerful and erotic images of the male form.  As a former model himself, Jeff brings a unique perspective to his work, and his life.  Unlike others however, whose careers depended on appearance, when not at work, Jeff has little to no interest in outward characteristics or issues that simply touch the surface. 

Jeff's way of thinking, his way of being really,  is one that many of us strive to achieve.  It's not one however, that society often rewards, especially not a society which now includes citizens of an on-line world.  On-line, we're rewarded not for our work, not for our effort and not for our intent.  The prize of course is the number of hits, the number of likes  and the number of followers.  The more you have the more you're worth, at least that's what the on-line world wants us to believe.

Over the years working on FH, I've come to understand that feedback, has to come from within.  I know from my stats counter that many many people pop onto FH each day.  I also know, that feedback is limited and comments are few and far between.  I was bothered by this initially, but soon learned to not only accept, but oddly welcome the silence.  We've all seen sites riddled with comments from users.  Usually, these comments are negative, nasty and driven by cruelty. Sometimes silence, is the sweetest sound of all.  My motivation for working the site is more about the joy I get from viewing new images, discovering new talent, and the creative ways that I strive to present it.

The silence however, is in part, why it's been five years since I've featured Jeff's work.  It's not that I haven't wanted to, I have.  It's not that Jeff hasn't been shooting, he has. I've reached out a few times over the years, and Jeff's responses were always kind and gracious.  He just wasn't especially motivated to have the spotlight be on his work.   Jeff's photography is incredibly important to him, but it's not what defines him, or what he necessarily want to represent who he is.  When I recently 'bugged' again Jeff about another piece on the site, I asked where photography fits on his list of passionate pursuits.  His response explains his view on the subject much better than I can.

'Photography is probably near the bottom of the totem pole. I love taking photos…. but I’m also a great outdoorsman. I love to hike, bike, kayak, climb…. and just be in nature. That’s why I live in Santa Fe, NM. I’m surrounded by the beauty of nature. I also spend a great deal of my time volunteering at food banks, doing winter coat drives for the homeless… and giving back as much as I can. I’ve had a very fortunate life, and nothing brings me more joy than to help those not as unfortunate. 

I always keep a stack of $10.00 gift cards to McDonalds in my SUV… and if I see a homeless person on the corner… I’ll pull up and say “Would you eat at McDonalds?” And they usually reply… “I’ll eat anything” Then I give them the gift card and say, “Go get yourself a hot meal” The gratitude on their faces… is the greatest reward for me. Nothing makes me happier than that. 

On Thanksgiving day, I drove around the city looking for homeless so they could have a meal. I saw a young homeless kid wrapped up in a blanket on a corner. I rolled down my window and said “Hey… would you like a $10.00 gift card to McDonalds?” He slowly looked up at me and said.. “Really?” He then started to cry… and said “I’m so hungry….” I handed him the card as he continued to weep, and I quickly drove away so he wouldn’t see me cry. I sobbed for 5 mins. It broke my heart.'

Jeff

FH readers know I love story, and usually that story, is about the shooting process.   I loved reading Jeff's response to my questions, maybe especially because of the time of year.  Christmas is the season of giving, but in reality, it's become for so many, more about receiving.  

When I was in high school, I briefly dated a girl who attended a Holy Spirit church.  I used to go with her, and was in awe of the energy and enthusiasm at each service.  So much more energy than the local Anglican church my family attended.  Quickly however, I could sense the energy was very 'self' focused.  

At our low energy Anglican church, Christmas was about collecting items and food baskets for those in need.  At the Holy Spirit church, it was about collecting big ticket items for themselves.  They seemed to believe their strong faith meant they should be rewarded by buying nice things for themselves.  They didn't feel the need to help others.  This, and a few other reasons, like my still being in the closet.... meant Denise and I, didn't date for long.

I think of that church often, especially at Christmas.  It's philosophy is one that's permeated both society and one that fuels much of what happens on-line and on social media.  It's one that's often hard to fight, I know, I've battled it a few times over the years myself.  

Although Jeff's response to my initial question wasn't  directly about the images you're presently viewing, his answers did provide some context, and the story about the man on other side of the lens. That's really my goal, to provide context and to tell a story about the artists, actors and models that I feature.  

I strive to share more than just a series of images of beautiful bodies, there are plenty of sites that do a really good job with that.   Speaking of images of beautiful bodies, the images featured in this piece were chosen by Jeff as some of his favorites.  They're just a sample of many images and choices that Jeff sent on for me to choose from. Narrowing them down to just 10 or 12 was next to impossible. So impossible, that a Part 2 is certainly in order in the near future!  

ShutterClickPhx on Instagram

ShutterClickPhx on ModelMayhem