Mattress Ballet: Benji by Nosferatu Photography

Sometimes I think limbs can be the key to great images of the male form. If an artists goal is to present the the entire form, it is essential every part of the body is presented with intent. I have often seen great looking models who's arm or leg poses seem stiff and unnatural. Even a skilled photographer, shooting the hottest model, can't always save an image with an awkwardly posed limb.


When it comes to beautiful poses and elegantly place limbs, dancers have a leg up. The stretched out limbs and pointed toes. It won't surprise you to hear then, that Benji is a professional dancer who has a particular interest in movement and alignment within any art forms. Whenever I profile Nosferatu Photography's Nick, I am always impressed with how Gillingham photographer encourages his models to continuously keep moving, improvising a variety of looks and poses as he captures image after image during the process.


Although the process can be awkward for some models in the beginning, the purpose is to capture natural moments of personality and spontaneity, sometimes evident in just a split second. Nick's goal is to capture that exact moment, when a model eases into the process, letting their guard down, unveiling a glimpse or spark of what makes them tick.


It is clear movement and dance energizes Benji as his rhythmic mattress ballet so beautifully expresses. Although you can't hear what music is motivating Benji, you can almost feel it in Nick's images and with the poses Benji creates. Nick describes the 20 year old model as both hugely creative and confident and was especially impressed with his natural poise and grace and his willingness to push himself to achieve artistic perfection.


'As a dancer, Benji can present a superb range of poses, held still but giving the feel of fluid motion. Benji's charm and sense of fun also shone out throughout the shoot, he has a lovely personality and was a real pleasure to meet and spend time with.'