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Nude Portraits: Photographer Gets Naked, Shoots Models’ Reactions (35 Pics)

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For Trevor Christensen his job as a portrait photographer is to make his subjects feel comfortable when taking a picture - so he decided to get naked. Yes, in his series titled Nude Portraits, the award-winning photojournalist changed the dynamic of a traditional shoot by photographing people completely unclothed.

"My thinking was that I’m a person who is comfortable taking photos, helping a subject feel comfortable posing for pictures. What if I became a photographer who was uncomfortable taking photos, who was photographing a subject who was similarly uncomfortable?" Christensen told Bored Panda, stating that he wanted to explore how his fear would change his ability to make a photographic portrait. In short, Nude Portraits was a big experiment for the photographer.

For this portrait photographer, taking the road less traveled has always been his way. Christensen took his first photo class freshman year of high school, and it quickly became a serious part of his life. The Utah native dropped out to pursue his passion, and his talent led him to be published in outlets such as The Salt Lake Tribune, USA Today, the BBC and The Washington Post.

Despite being a highly experienced in people photography, he admits that the first naked shoots were terrifying. "Even with people I knew, it was stressful and strange to carry on a conversation and direct a portrait shoot while I was nude. I did about 50 shoots for the series and never really enjoyed them," said Christensen. As time went on, he noticed a shift in the experience:

"As I got used to the process, I wasn’t as intimidated by the experience as I was in the beginning. I also noticed from subjects facial expressions that they didn’t seem to react as strongly to my nudity either. What I realized is that when you’re taking a persons photo, they’re looking to you to know how to feel. So as you become more confident and collected, they’ll be the same way. They’re feeding off your energy."

Christensen has received mostly positive reactions to the series, saying it has spurred conversations on bodies, how we process nudity and vulnerability. In addition to his personal projects, the now Los Angeles resident teaches online photography classes as well.

Scroll down below to see the photos from this experimental shoot!

More Info: Website | Instagram | Vimeo

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This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Members Of The Band Fictionist

Members of the band Fictionist

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

92points

Gabby M 6 years ago

DUDE! Seriously?!

11points

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#2

Olivia, Makenzie and Chole (cat)

Olivia, 28, acquaintance, opera masters student; Makenzie, 28, acquaintance, opera masters student Chole; 11 months old, acquaintance, cat

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

88points

Dara 6 years ago

Of course the cat is judging you hahaha

62points

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#3

Jordan, 24

Jordan, 24, friend, quality assurance

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

84points

Samantha Bing 6 years ago

His job is to assess the quality of the product HA

16points

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#4

Hillary, 24

Hillary, 24, friend, student

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

84points

Ashlyn Krell 6 years ago

This kitchen makes me think of the Matrix - Oracle scene.

32points

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#5

Madelyne, 25

Madelyne, 25, elementary school friend, executive assistant

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

74points

Person2638 6 years ago

That would honestly be my reaction lol

11points

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#6

Portraits-Photography-Trevor-Christensen

Susie, 22, photographed in her bedroom at her Koreatown, LA apartment

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

73points

THATone 6 years ago

Good job of not catching yourself in the mirror! Lol

31points

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#7

Portraits-Photography-Trevor-Christensen

Jay, 27, drummer, photographed at his home

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

69points

Amazon QT 6 years ago

Great reaction.

4points

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#8

Austin, 27

Austin, 27, girlfriend at the time, middle school teacher, photographed at her home in Provo, Utah

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

65points

Night Owl 6 years ago

not impressed LOL :D XD

16points

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#9

Kari, 26

Kari, 26, works in IT, former stripper. Photographed at her apartment that she and her boyfriend share in Salt Lake City

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

63points

birdhouse 6 years ago

That's a lot of dishes.

30points

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#10

Victoria And Her Younger Sister Hannah

Victoria and her younger sister Hannah, shot in Provo, Utah

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

56points

Elena Adams 6 years ago

Victoria looks kinda uncomfortable, but Hannah is posing and all haha

12points

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#11

Anchor Chris Miller

Anchor Chris Miller didn't realize what he was getting into when he called to interview me for 'Nude Portraits'. Here's my favorite from our impromptu session, shot at their main studio in Salt Lake City

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

48points

Magpie 6 years ago

We can see that both model and photographer are getting comfortable.

2points

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#12

Jason, 24

Jason, 24, friend, roofer

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

45points

Whawhawhatsis 6 years ago

The men all seem to laugh! The women have all kinds of reactions, but the laughter seems pretty universal amongst the men. I guess it makes them extra-uncomfortable. I approve!

14points

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#13

Portraits-Photography-Trevor-Christensen

Rae, 42, web developer, photographed in her bedroom in Santa Monica, California

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

45points

KT Trondsen 6 years ago

She looks like she approves of whay she sees haha

18points

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#14

Kendall, 44

Kendall, 44, contacted me through my website, subject of a documentary that explores what it
means to be LGBT and Mormon, Photographed at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

40points

MrsGreen 6 years ago

I think he looks deeply sad.

34points

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#15

Madelyne, 25

Madelyne, 25, elementary school friend, executive assistant

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

36points

Samantha Bing 6 years ago

She's peaking!

22points

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#16

Portraits-Photography-Trevor-Christensen

Sitwat, 30, wedding photographer in Karachi, Pakistan. Shot in California

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

34points

Coffee & Cake 6 years ago

I wish I could upvote this portrait 20 times. :)

10points

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#17

Portrait

Karla, photographed in New Mexico.

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

32points

birdhouse 6 years ago

Is she crying?

3points

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#18

Karen, 20

Karen, 20, cam model. Photographed at her home in Salt Lake City

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

31points

birdhouse 6 years ago

She is so staring at the goods!

36points

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#19

Grace, 21

Grace, 21, #byu student, photographed in October at her apartment

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

29points

Kath Leen 6 years ago

i can see any moment now something is gonna pop out of the space below the bed...

10points

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#20

Portraits-Photography-Trevor-Christensen

Bruce, 26, graduate student, friend since 2nd grade. Shot at my home in Orem, Utah.

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

28points

Jade Lynn 6 years ago

He looks like he's had enough of his friend's nudity

22points

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#21

Brianna, 26

Brianna, 26, aspiring model, contacted me through my website, photographed at her parent’s home in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

27points

Jade Lynn 6 years ago

Her parents let some random guy be naked in their yard? Much more relaxed than my parents haha

17points

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#22

Portraits-Photography-Trevor-Christensen

Hannah, 21, waitress, photographed for #NudePortraits in Provo, Utah.

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

26points

tarebear 6 years ago

It seems like some of the people who look un phased by the photographer are just good models/ trying to be good models and not show a reaction....is that how photography works?? I used to watch ANTM and they were never allowed to react to anything around them

7points

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#23

Torrie, 30

Torrie, 30, producer/director

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

24points

Laugh Fan 6 years ago

He really, really wants to laugh!

11points

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#24

Portraits-Photography-Trevor-Christensen

Jamie, florist, photographed in Salt Lake City

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

24points

Heather Johnson 6 years ago

She's beautiful

14points

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#25

Portraits-Photography-Trevor-Christensen

Ed at his home in LA.

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

24points

Sabrina Huber 6 years ago

Ed is either about to kill you... or seduce you... I'm torn.

27points

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#26

Portraits-Photography-Trevor-Christensen

Lizzy, 31, software specialist, photographed for #NudePortraits late at night at her home in Springville, Utah.

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

21points

diane a 6 years ago

love the dresser

9points

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#27

Portraits-Photography-Trevor-Christensen

Kendall, 44, documentary producer. Photographed at his house in Salt Lake

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

20points

Nelson Sturdivant 6 years ago

He's trying to unsee what he just saw...

14points

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#28

Chris and Natalie, 28 and 27

Chris and Natalie, 28 and 27, photographed at Natalie’s studio in Los Angeles, California

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

18points

birdhouse 6 years ago

Oh my! Is he standing above them with it all dangling in their face??

42points

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#29

Christian, 43

Christian, 43, works in communications, photographed at his apartment in Salt Lake City, Utah. 2015

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

16points

birdhouse 6 years ago

I like his hat.

9points

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#30

Ashley-Jayne, 22

Ashley-Jayne, 22, student and receptionist

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

13points

Amy Hansen 6 years ago

I find her gaze captivating

5points

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#31

Karin, 20

Karin, 20, acquaintance, porn & cam model

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

12points

birdhouse 6 years ago

This guy seems to know a lot of adult industry people.

18points

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#32

Portraits-Photography-Trevor-Christensen

Silvia, 19, sophomore at Portland State

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

11points

birdhouse 6 years ago

She wont even look at the camera LOL. Cute dress though.

11points

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#33

Court Mann

Court Mann

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

10points

birdhouse 6 years ago

He has a Kramer painting!

13points

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#34

Portraits-Photography-Trevor-Christensen

Alex, 25, designer at Adobe, shot at the mansion where her boyfriend lives in Provo, Utah.

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

10points

Miss Cris 6 years ago

Her boyfriend looks like a weird shark

34points

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#35

Portraits-Photography-Trevor-Christensen

Chris & Natalie, 28 and 27, photographed at Natalie's studio in Los Angeles, California.

Trevor Christensen Report

Final score:

7points

Whawhawhatsis 6 years ago

What a beautiful red wall!

3points

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Karolina Wv

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

What do you think ?

The Girl on Fire 6 years ago

The only thing I was thinking during this was "Did the people know signing up for this photoshoot that he would get naked?" Because otherwise that's a really gross thing to do to unexpecting people.

47points

Pam Falcioni 6 years ago

I don't know why anyone downvoted you because you're right. I'm not going to be happy being "surprised" by some random naked photographer in my own home, it would be made even weirder if he was an acquaintance.

23points

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Luke Pascasio 6 years ago

On the artists site he says he disclosed that he would be naked to the subjects before.

10points

John DeMaio 6 years ago

The captions explain the circumstances, most of the subjects were friends, the rest were people that contacted him and wanted to participate.

2points

Canned Pam 6 years ago

That's what I was wondering. It's fine if they discussed it beforehand and they agreed but if he just walked in naked without their consent, that's really horrible and harassing. And even so, it's kind weird to say "hey, can I photograph you the first time you see my d**k?" Rather arrogant, if you ask me.

2points

A Y 3 years ago

WTF U HAVE NO LOVE FOR THE-PENIS-LOVERS THE GUYS ENJOY LIFE BEING STRIPING EACH OTHER NAKED STUDING EACH OTHERS ERECTIONS&TESTCILES OUR-DICKS-...eb3447.gif

0points

Amazon QT 6 years ago

Pretty sure most didn’t expect the photographer to be nude! LOL

0points

Michael Gleason 6 years ago (edited)

I think they were brought in for “nude photography”, so the idea is they think they’re going to get naked for the photos, but before they do he takes these instead. Notice how many adult and cam models there are.

0points

Luke Pascasio 6 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

Luke Pascasio 6 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

Elizabeth 6 years ago

it was interesting to look through, I think these photos might have gotten a chance to see more emotion in the subjects. Some people were certainly chill about the nudity but others really reacted to it. Interesting photo-graphical experiment.

9points

John Louis 6 years ago

I guess the real visionaries know the difference between high art and creepy exhibitionism.

9points

cassiushumanmother 6 years ago

let's ask the Kardashians and the selfie addicts the difference?

1point

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The Girl on Fire 6 years ago

The only thing I was thinking during this was "Did the people know signing up for this photoshoot that he would get naked?" Because otherwise that's a really gross thing to do to unexpecting people.

47points

Pam Falcioni 6 years ago

I don't know why anyone downvoted you because you're right. I'm not going to be happy being "surprised" by some random naked photographer in my own home, it would be made even weirder if he was an acquaintance.

23points

Load More Replies...

Luke Pascasio 6 years ago

On the artists site he says he disclosed that he would be naked to the subjects before.

10points

John DeMaio 6 years ago

The captions explain the circumstances, most of the subjects were friends, the rest were people that contacted him and wanted to participate.

2points

Canned Pam 6 years ago

That's what I was wondering. It's fine if they discussed it beforehand and they agreed but if he just walked in naked without their consent, that's really horrible and harassing. And even so, it's kind weird to say "hey, can I photograph you the first time you see my d**k?" Rather arrogant, if you ask me.

2points

A Y 3 years ago

WTF U HAVE NO LOVE FOR THE-PENIS-LOVERS THE GUYS ENJOY LIFE BEING STRIPING EACH OTHER NAKED STUDING EACH OTHERS ERECTIONS&TESTCILES OUR-DICKS-...eb3447.gif

0points

Amazon QT 6 years ago

Pretty sure most didn’t expect the photographer to be nude! LOL

0points

Michael Gleason 6 years ago (edited)

I think they were brought in for “nude photography”, so the idea is they think they’re going to get naked for the photos, but before they do he takes these instead. Notice how many adult and cam models there are.

0points

Luke Pascasio 6 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

Luke Pascasio 6 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

Elizabeth 6 years ago

it was interesting to look through, I think these photos might have gotten a chance to see more emotion in the subjects. Some people were certainly chill about the nudity but others really reacted to it. Interesting photo-graphical experiment.

9points

John Louis 6 years ago

I guess the real visionaries know the difference between high art and creepy exhibitionism.

9points

cassiushumanmother 6 years ago

let's ask the Kardashians and the selfie addicts the difference?

1point

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