'Although I was nervous as I'd never done anything like this, rather than being averted by the nudity, I instead embraced it.'
Whenever I feature the work of photographer
Shax Carter, I consistently use the phrase '
intimate portrait. I do this, because Shax doesn't do photo shoots as much he does photo essay's. Shax likes to focus on one subject, one model over an extended period of time, capturing and unveiling the layers of his subject which each shoot, each location and each theme.
At the onset, I assumed this process might be daunting to models, especially models new to modeling nude. It can be intimidating enough posing nude, without the systematic and extensive lens that Shax shines upon his subjects. What I didn't take in account however, the degree to which relationship, and of subsequently trust and comfort, play a role in a model's experience with the shooting experience.
Whenever I ask a model to share their thoughts on a shoot, many mention their satisfaction with the final images. More however, point to their comfort level with the artist behind the lens. The creative collaboration only works for both, when trust has been obtained. It's the reason most of us choose to go to the same doctor, the same mechanic, or even the same grocery story. We feel most at ease in places, and with people, whose expectations we know and trust.
This is difficult to obtain in one-off photo shoot. It's one of the reasons so many photographers, and so many models, work multiple times with each other. Given that Shax likes to work with one model over a period of time, their are more natural opportunities to build relationship and trust, more than if they just worked on just one day for a couple of hours.
Nude photography wasn't exactly going to bel the twenty year-old Kazuyo's go to. When the opportunity was presented, he wasn't opposed to it, but it also wasn't something he was necessarily pursuing. He had some history with art, and was familiar and knowledgeable with the nude form in art, and always saw it as something artistic and creative.
'It was intimidating at first, but I was lucky enough to work with a photographer who made the process comfortable and professional. I believe I got really lucky to work with Shax. Because of him, I'm now wanting to pursue modeling as a passion and a dream job.'
Although
Kazuyo had other opportunities, including offers from the adult film industry, he found that super intimidating, and wasn't initially sure where to start. He felt really overwhelmed with what direction to take, that was until, Shax reached out. Kazuyo shares that Shax was not only professional, but also casual and relaxed, something that led Kazuyo to feel the same. Shax answered all his questions calmly, and after their discussion, Kazuyo was feeling comfortable enough to schedule their first shoot.
There were other opportunities I had where I could have worked in the adult film industry but that was super intimidating as I didn’t know where to start, how exactly difficult it would be, or even if i was ready to do something like that. When Shax reached out he was very casual, professional, and relaxed, he showed me his work and answered my questions calmly and it didn’t feel overwhelming which ultimately led me to feel comfortable to do that first shoot with him.
'Looking back at it now I’m wo glad to have worked with Shax, rather than anyone else. He has become not only a great co-worker, but a good friend.'
'Kazuyo is a natural in front of the camera. Although this was his first photo shoot, one wouldn't believe it looking at his work. By the time the first shoot was complete, I knew we needed to expand our vision,'
That first shoot, and the relationship that followed, help paved the way for Shax's first photo-book spotlighting his work with Kazuyo. Their first book, which Shax describes as an photographic introduction to Kazuyo, is a 138 page visual collection of their first shoot together.. Although a second, more extensive book will follow, with Kazuyo sharing more with an interview, for this first edition, Shax wanted to the images to tell the story. You can order, or preview more of Shax's work with Kazuyo on
Blurb HERE: