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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
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Members of the band Fictionist
#2
Olivia, 28, acquaintance, opera masters student; Makenzie, 28, acquaintance, opera masters student Chole; 11 months old, acquaintance, cat
#7
Jay, 27, drummer, photographed at his home
#8
Austin, 27, girlfriend at the time, middle school teacher, photographed at her home in Provo, Utah
#9
Kari, 26, works in IT, former stripper. Photographed at her apartment that she and her boyfriend share in Salt Lake City
#10
Victoria and her younger sister Hannah, shot in Provo, Utah
#11
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
#12
Jason, 24, friend, roofer
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!
#13
Rae, 42, web developer, photographed in her bedroom in Santa Monica, California
#14
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
#15
Madelyne, 25, elementary school friend, executive assistant
#17
Karla, photographed in New Mexico.
#18
Karen, 20, cam model. Photographed at her home in Salt Lake City
#20
Bruce, 26, graduate student, friend since 2nd grade. Shot at my home in Orem, Utah.
#21
Brianna, 26, aspiring model, contacted me through my website, photographed at her parent’s home in Salt Lake City, Utah.
#23
Torrie, 30, producer/director
#25
Ed at his home in LA.
#26
Lizzy, 31, software specialist, photographed for #NudePortraits late at night at her home in Springville, Utah.
#28
Chris and Natalie, 28 and 27, photographed at Natalie’s studio in Los Angeles, California
#29
Christian, 43, works in communications, photographed at his apartment in Salt Lake City, Utah. 2015
#30
Ashley-Jayne, 22, student and receptionist
#34
Alex, 25, designer at Adobe, shot at the mansion where her boyfriend lives in Provo, Utah.
#35
Chris & Natalie, 28 and 27, photographed at Natalie's studio in Los Angeles, California.
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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.
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.
Load More Replies...
John Louis 6 years ago
I guess the real visionaries know the difference between high art and creepy exhibitionism.
cassiushumanmother 6 years ago
let's ask the Kardashians and the selfie addicts the difference?
Load More Replies... 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.
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.
Load More Replies... John Louis 6 years ago
I guess the real visionaries know the difference between high art and creepy exhibitionism.
cassiushumanmother 6 years ago
let's ask the Kardashians and the selfie addicts the difference?
Load More Replies... Related on Bored Panda
