Picture it, Paris, Christmas 1992. I was 14 when I wandered into a bookshop and discovered Robert Mapplethorpe’s Black Book. I was already seriously considering a creative career but wasn’t sure what I’d do. That book literally stopped me in my tracks: a collection of stark, powerful, unapologetic male nudes. I’d never been so shocked and turned on at the same time. It was the first time I saw photography express something so bold and so personal. That encounter didn’t just influence me—it gave me direction. I thought ‘if whatever I do can elicit that reaction in just one person, my life will be complete’. I know how dramatic this sounds but, remember, I was 14…

Since then, my work has been shaped by artists who provoke emotion through style. Caravaggio’s dramatic light, Hopper’s introspective stillness and loneliness in urban environments, Lichtenstein’s playful clarity, and Jim French’s polished celebration of masculinity have all left their mark on me. Their work taught me that art can hold tension between social commentary, desire, and vulnerability, as well as strength, and softness. That’s the energy I try to channel in my own images.

My focus is the male form and my favourite flavour: fit, mature-ish men. They defy the tired stereotype that ageing leads to decline and/or invisibility. Their bodies tell stories of experience, resilience, and discipline. To me, they embody a kind of confidence and pride that’s hard-earned and quietly powerful. My favourite models are those who are comfortable in their skin. There’s a distinctive playfulness and a sense of self that comes through when someone is just being rather than performing.

What drives me most, though, is storytelling. A photograph, for me, is more than a handsome naked man. It’s a chance to explore themes that feel both personal and collective: identity, self acceptance, and connection. As a gay man, I grew up with a sense of shame about my love of the male form. I ended up internalising that I was meant to stay quiet or small. Photography helped me push back against that. It became a way to reclaim space and share perspectives that weren’t always visible. In other words: that’s how I express myself.

That desire to challenge shame and celebrate authenticity also led me to create Unapologaytic, an ethical T-shirt brand rooted in queer empowerment. The clothes speak the same language as my images: simple, bold, cheeky, and rooted in authentic pride. Whether I’m behind the camera or designing for Unapologaytic, the goal is always the same: to reflect back something honest and affirming. And what better way to honour the male form than designing underwear? That’s my next endeavour available next month so stay tuned…

A friend once put it best: I’m in the business of celebrating cock! I completely agree but I usually describe my work as a celebration of the gay experience. But more than that, it’s shaped by my need for self expression. If someone looks at anything I do, whether it’s one of my photos or one my clothes, and relates on any level, feels uplifted, or simply connected, then I’ve done what I set out to do.

In the end, I believe the power of queer art lies in its ability to come out of isolation and show us ourselves. Not just as others see us, but as we really are: complex, beautiful, and worthy of attention.