BARE BODY / + positive modeling (Patreon)

sometimes i pose for photographers to make money... sometimes i do collaborations for fun... these are some images taken by Entwayne Christopher (@cool_kid_e on ig) almost two months ago at fairway studios in Chelsea, Manhattan.  Anthony from Fairway organizes group shoots at his studio to help models and photographers come together to make money and produce work... like i've said in past posts and recollections, I only used to be ok with photographs of my body from far away in nature. Although this shoot is not completely aligned with my typical aesthetic, every experience is informative and facilitates growth. Being shot up close in a studio setting, has been a very interesting process of transformation for me. Again, like I've said before, years ago I would've been so depressed with how bloated I was that night and how my body looks in some of the images (there are some I'm choosing not to post). However, today, I'm practicing kindness and compassion towards myself and working hard to only see and feel beauty. Yes, there are other ways to make money, but this is where life has taken me, here and now. In studios and in nature. Using my body and others as art, as visual creations. These images were taken at a time, one evening, when I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders, saturated with anxiety for a variety of reasons, primarily filled with concerns around money and survival. I remember drinking so much water just to make sure my body would be ok... Its been a crazy journey. I used to smoke weed and drink alcohol as part of my experience for my photoshoots (nude in nature from far away) almost ten years ago, only utilizing my own camera, so I could control every image. Today, I'm sober and baring my body, mind and soul to strangers, up close and personal. I don't know if its good or bad. I don't really care. It is what it is, as are all things in the world today, they just are. We just are. Every day is different, but everyday we grow. I'm taking care of my body to the best of my ability, being as healthy as possible with exercise and nutrients, thats all that counts. I'm happy.