'I’ve never participated in a photoshoot before, but being the center of attention and being recorded and photographed has always been a small dream of mine.'
There are certain experiences almost everyone universally experiences growing up. Additionally, there are many experiences, unique to growing up gay. Although acceptance for the LGBTQ+ has in many ways improved, there is often still an innate fear and uncertainly, especially in children and teens. The fear of rejection, from family and friends, the fear of what changes will occur if we actually show our true selves.
This fear was especially acute in the past. The further back you go, the more challenges and obstacles lay in front of that closet door. Most of my teenage years were in the 1990's, and I vividly remember that fear. Back in the early days of the site, I wrote a piece about the end of the regular publication of Playgirl Magazine. (HERE:) In that piece, I wrote not only about my fear, but the extreme measures I took to anonymously purchase an issue of the magazine. Oh to have had the internet, and sites like eBay and Amazon when I was a kid.
Fear can wear on you, as can spending your life pretending to be something your not. This isn't always only about sexuality, there are many people in this world, putting on masks each day, and trying to be someone they're not. Anyone who has been there knows how exhausting it cam be. It wears you down, chips away your mental health, causing anxiety and self doubt.
In those moments, what we need, what we crave, what we desire, is a safe space. A sensuous sanctuary to express our true selves. It is this desire, and this need for erotic expression behind this series from Jason from Elwood Photos. My favorite photographers are mood setters and story tellers, and I love the way Jason visually tells his tales. I first featured Jason's work earlier this spring, with another visual vignette. (Sensorial Subversivism)
Like the previous piece, this series not only creates a story, but also inhabits it with a character. Model Kieran Kuntz isn't just posing for a photographer, he's helping bring Jason's vision to life. It shouldn't be surprising to learn then, that this series didn't just spontaneously arise. Jason created not only the character, originally named Andrew, and planned out through storyboards and visuals, each scene that he shot.
'For this shoot, I really wanted to go all-in on theming and telling a story. I met Kieran for coffee and we bounced around different ideas until we came up with the following story:
It’s 1987 and Andrew, a young guy from a small town has gathered enough courage to travel to the next town over, buy a gay porn mag from a seedy gas station, and check in to a motel to be alone and explore his sexuality.'
'Based on that story, I planned out 3 scenes to help break down what we needed in terms of location, lighting, costumes, and props as well as to help Kieran create a character. I then found a dumpy motel here in Portland that hasn't been renovated or updated since the 80s (except for the prices) and booked 2 nights so that we could have a full day to shoot. '
Although Kieran has taken nude self-shots, and had an OnlyFans account, this was actually his first time working with a photographer on a shoot. Despite this, it's clear Kieran understood the assignment. Kieran has a natural ease with sensual expression and really seemed to both dive into the role, and enjoy himself in the process. There's much more to this shoot, and to the story, and you can see more, and hear Jason and Kieran's thoughts on the process, on the NEXT PAGE HERE:
No comments:
Post a Comment