Random Strangers: People you don't know and have no prior connection with. The Unknown
For me, one of the most interesting parts about shooting the male form is the element of the random stranger. Over the years, I've interviewed hundreds of models and photographers, and most of them began their first creative collaboration as complete unknowns, as strangers. Some models and photographers certainly do form a professional relationship, and many work together multiple times. Most however, are freelancers, with the shoot being a one-off, with the two creators not likely to see one another again.
We've all had one-off experiences at work, days where we meet and work with someone just for the day, or for a specific project. Most of those experiences however, don't require one party to be completely naked, exposed and venerable to the eye and the skill level of another. Although they may only work together once, the visual results live on long after.
This connection between unknowns is a theme I continue to enjoy exploring. Finding out how two random strangers form such a short-lived but incredibly intimate creative relationship. This series of images of Joe, shot by George from Random Exposures, is a great illustration of why I'm so fascinated with the theme.
When I was asking George about the shoot, and what he remembered about Joe, the information was scarce. Despite the fact that George shot Joe in his home, his bathroom, his kitchen, and laying naked on his bed, he knew very little about him. Joe answered an add for models that George had placed on Craigslist. Joe wanted nude photo of himself, but didn't share why. He told George he'd seen his photos on-line, and really wanted to shoot, so much so, he drove the 180 miles round trip to George's home in Venice Beach for the shoot.
The shoot was unpaid, meaning the only exchange was George sharing with Joe a copy of the finished photos. George remembers that Joe seemed perfectly comfortable posing nude, and didn't express any reservations, or any boundaries about what George could shoot. Despite Joe being up for anything, George began as he usually does, with clothed shots, first along the Venice Beach boardwalk. Although they took a few shirtless shots, the boardwalk was far too crowded to attempt any nudes, even implied.
Although Joe seemed open to stripping down outside on boardwalk, George thought it best to wait, so they headed back to George's home and home studio. Once there, they shot in most of the rooms in George's home. Although he was generally pretty quiet, during the shoot, Joe did start to talk and open up a bit.
It's surprises me how many of the models I've featured have decided to pose nude just before, or just after enlisting in the military. For Joe it was the Navy, and he had just enlisted, and was about to leave for the East Coast for training. I think there's an emotional elevation whenever you're about to embark, or have just returned, from a risky, life and death situation.
These elevated emotions can sometimes impact every part of a person's life. They can also lead to individuals wanting to push beyond their usual personal boundaries. For a time, their life was, or soon will be, completely out of their hands. In response, many people look for ways to exhibit control, especially with erotic engagements.
Check out more of George's work with Joe, this time, in the room generally considered the most popular room in the house, on the NEXT PAGE HERE:
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