Shifting the Beauty Paradigm

Received an email today from a prospective project participant, with the subject line, "masculinity and beauty photo project."

In responding, I first had to say I love that subject line. Love the idea that masculine-identified individuals are seeing beauty in themselves. Applaud that wildly.

Over the past weeks, I've had exchanges with many project participants who have been intensely nervous or shy about being photographed. Bravely, they press on, in their willingness to be seen.

Several people have told me they've always wanted to pose for a fine art nude or figure study, but don't feel they're "right" for that kind of session. Too old. Too big. Too scrawny. Too this, not enough that. Not conventionally attractive enough for . . .

For what?

If we are to work towards changing perceptions of what it means to be "masculine," it's my thinking that conventional notions of "beauty" and "attractiveness" are similarly being challenged. And that, I'm certain, is a very good thing.

No such thing as too this or that, no concerns about not enough, I tell the participants.

One says, well, okay, there is this particular type of nude for which he's always wanted to pose. He describes it. I understand the concept, send him an example from my off-line portfolio. He decides to do the shoot.

And it's fantastic. Even his wife, who admitted some concerns about nudity in photography, agrees that it's good work.

During the session, I tell him he's a natural model. One of the best things about the shoot is the way in which his facial expressions change for the camera.

"I watch TV," he laughs.

Later, I'm thinking about the last session I did with La Paloma. Two friends noted that I didn't exhibit any full images of her face.

"Vulnerability," I answer. "Hers. And mine. We're both feeling protective, in different ways, right now."

So, yeah, I do a shoot where she's modeling a contemporary kind of burlesque costume . . . and her face is shadowed, occluded. In the other set, her face is veiled. The expressions she gives, too, are covered.

One friend replies that yes, the face is the most intimate part.

Yes.

To photograph and to model is to be blessed with both vulnerabilities and braveries.

I want to thank the model who wrote me today, wanting to be seen at last on personal rather than industry terms. I feel that.

And I thank each individual who has engaged this project with such willingness to be seen.

Wonderful.


~Emmanuela