Texas 11

Every interaction and relationship I have with a model/collaborator is different. Because much of my work involves nudity, there are a whole host of things that can come into play. A consistency is that we always begin somewhere and end up somewhere else. One of my very favorite versions of that is when the somewhere else is truly transformative and embraces the shining human you can become by being so bold. So bold as to stand naked and be seen.

Working with Mitchell Bethea was a really special experience in this way. He could fully see how important and symbolic doing something like this would be. He wanted to be that version of himself. The process of getting there had all of the anxiety and brain talk of preparing to bungee jump (his analogy) but he stayed completely present and saw it through in spite of any fears.

He was generous enough to let me interview him afterward and shared some further revealing elements of what it all meant.

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