'I'm on the doorstep to my 40's so my expectations are tempered; not waiting for GQ to call me. If it evolves into something professional, then great! But honestly, it's been more about self exploration for me, seeing what it is like using my naked body for art.'
Alexander's quote above beautifully encompasses so many of the themes at the core of FH. I have tried to follow a set of values for the site, and loved how Alexander so naturally weaved so many of them into the few sentences above. Although I have featured many models who have appeared, or could appear in GQ, my focus has never been on the 'it' boy. My focus has to been to focus on images, models and art that grabs me and the stories behind their creation.
For many, especially new models, their modeling journey is often rooted in self exploration. Removing one of our most strongest layers of protection, our clothing, and posing naked pretty much forces a model to come to terms with issues of self and coming to a place of acceptance of who we are and our relationship with our body. Many who have never stood naked in front a camera often spend a lifetime ducking and weaving from facing issues of self.
Although self exploration was part of Alexander's experience modeling nude, for me, it was the incredible results that initially caught my eye and had me reaching out about featuring his work. The first shot of Alexander that I saw was the image I used as Pic of the Day.
You often see women photographed wearing only a men's white dress shirt, there are countless scenes in movies with the woman wearing just the man's shirt the morning after. I loved the image and pose and how sexy Alexander looked wearing only the shirt. You can also feel Alexander's sensuality and vulnerability expressed through his beautiful brown eyes.
I also loved Alexander's reference to being 'on the doorstep to forty'. I frequently feature models between the ages of 18 and 30. I also find there quite a few male models finding success who are in their fifties, sixties and even their seventies. For some reason, it's more difficult to find male models, especially nude male models in their thirties and forties. There are many reasons for this of course, especially for those modeling professionally. For new and amateur models, and models such as Alexander, who 'models on the side', these are the decades most people are focusing on career, and having nude photos on the web doesn't necessarily mesh with certain chosen careers.
'I know male nudes, especially exposure of the penis, carries that negative connotation of being sexual explicit and often gets immediately dismissed for rubbish, vulgar pornography. I think nudes are both sexual and artistic, and I believe the work I've accomplished so far lies more on the side of artistic expression.'
Alexander's main concern in posing nude wasn't the impact on career, for Alexander, when he decided to begin modeling last year, it came down to finding the right audience, an audience who would appreciate his photos and view them as both sensual and artistic. This set of images were shot by Fredrik Sinsalom, an amateur photographer friend of Alexander's. Alexander is hoping the images inspire a professional photographer to reach out and connect, and artist with similar goals to create artistic images with the sexy and sensual thirtysomething male form.
