What I look for in a model

When people think of choosing a model, they usually picture someone with a certain look. A body type. A face. A presence. And sure, those things can matter. But for me, especially when I'm photographing erotic work, it's not really about how someone looks. It's about how they show up.

The truth is, I don't care if someone's ever modeled before. Some of my favorite shoots have been with people who had never stood in front of a camera that way. What I look for is something quieter: a sense of ease, or maybe even a willingness to be uneasy. I look for people who are curious. People who want to be seen, even if it scares them a little.

You can tell a lot in the first few minutes. Not just by how someone moves, but by how they listen. How they laugh. How they react to silence. If they can sit in a moment without rushing to fill it. If they let things breathe. That matters more to me than any conventional idea of beauty.

Shooting male erotic photography, especially the way I approach it, requires a kind of mutual trust. It’s not about performance. It’s about presence. And I find that presence in people who aren’t trying too hard. Who don’t need to play a part. Who are just willing to be.

Sometimes the best images come from moments of nervousness or uncertainty. I’ve learned to welcome that. I don’t need perfection. I want honesty. I want someone who’ll let me catch them in a moment they didn’t plan.

So what do I look for in a model? Openness. Stillness. Something a little unguarded. Someone who isn’t afraid to slow down and let the camera come to them.