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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
RELATED:
#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...
Pam Falcioni 6 years ago
So, let me get this straight, he sets up photography sessions with female acquaintances in their own homes and then "surprises" them by getting naked? I can't imagine why none of these people didn't "surprise" him with an assault charge.
Vic Roberts 6 years ago
without the long winded back story these are just really banal generic photos
Agfox 6 years ago
Agree, nothing to suggest this guy is a professional photographer
Load More Replies...
Robert Bailey 6 years ago
So, a lot of these people seem to be snickering. That's not good for the naked guy.
Anthony Jessie 6 years ago
I guess photography is a very competitive business if they only way to get known is to photograph naked...
Jennifer Erdossy 6 years ago
This is the very definition of what one would expect to find on a site labeled BORED PANDA. Many posts are more interesting, or more worthy, but this? This is quintessential BP.
Roberto Durante 6 years ago
they are just portrait photo, who say he was naked to shoot this reportage?
Magpie 6 years ago
I think this is great! I was a very uncomfortable student in "life drawing" classes. "life drawing" usually means a naked person in front of a class of clothed people. And it was usually a woman that was naked. .... If you look at art history, there are an awful lot of naked women. ___ Kind of a lot like pornography set ups. Very uncomfortable.
Magpie 6 years ago
If I was going to take up drawing/painting/photography again, I would definitely prefer to be naked as the artist *IF* I was going to. The power imbalance would change and for the better. It is a very vulnerable position to be in, naked infront of clothed people.
Load More Replies...
TheKnightOwl 6 years ago
Yeah..no. Guy likes exposing himself, puts a camera in his hand and calls it art. I guess if they knew he was going to do it, it's not so bad. If something like this was done without knowledge, it's akin to sexual harassment...and I'm not one to throw that term around lightly.
Vonskippy 6 years ago
Meh - who cares the guy was nude. Some of the people in the photos and most of the snowflakes here on BP act like they never saw a naked d**k before. It's a d**k people, get over yourselves if you think it's something special or naughty. I find it ironic to no end how people on BP get outraged (OUTRAGED I SAY) about any naysayers to public breast feeding, but if a guy hangs his junk out in public that's "dirty". Either the human body (covered or not) is natural, or it's all bad and need to be covered like the muslims from head to toe. Pick one and stick to it. I'm tired of the hypocrisy.
noitall man 6 years ago
So what you are telling me is that you photographed evidence of your sexual aggression??? You will never be a supreme court justice. But good news, you might be the next president.
ESL 6 years ago
How is this different from when women complained that men like Louis CK and Harvey Weinstein suddenly disrobed and exposed themselves to them? This is equally creepy and unwelcome. Seems to me this is an exhibitionist act masquerading as "art".
Bobbi Newell 6 years ago
Ew, no. Just no. At that point he stopped being a photographer, and became a creeper.
Captain Planet 6 years ago
I always wonder how do you make money as a photographer making these kind of photograph series? Sure they seem interesting but who pays for this? Does anyone buy these photos or what?
Bam 6 years ago
Let me get this. This guy went to people's houses, got naked and took pictures. How did he come up with this idea?
Gvantsa 6 years ago
want to believe that only thing he did while being sober was writing explanation of idea :D not really quality art but it's fun, l like it
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... Pam Falcioni 6 years ago
So, let me get this straight, he sets up photography sessions with female acquaintances in their own homes and then "surprises" them by getting naked? I can't imagine why none of these people didn't "surprise" him with an assault charge.
Vic Roberts 6 years ago
without the long winded back story these are just really banal generic photos
Agfox 6 years ago
Agree, nothing to suggest this guy is a professional photographer
Load More Replies... Robert Bailey 6 years ago
So, a lot of these people seem to be snickering. That's not good for the naked guy.
Anthony Jessie 6 years ago
I guess photography is a very competitive business if they only way to get known is to photograph naked...
Jennifer Erdossy 6 years ago
This is the very definition of what one would expect to find on a site labeled BORED PANDA. Many posts are more interesting, or more worthy, but this? This is quintessential BP.
Roberto Durante 6 years ago
they are just portrait photo, who say he was naked to shoot this reportage?
Magpie 6 years ago
I think this is great! I was a very uncomfortable student in "life drawing" classes. "life drawing" usually means a naked person in front of a class of clothed people. And it was usually a woman that was naked. .... If you look at art history, there are an awful lot of naked women. ___ Kind of a lot like pornography set ups. Very uncomfortable.
Magpie 6 years ago
If I was going to take up drawing/painting/photography again, I would definitely prefer to be naked as the artist *IF* I was going to. The power imbalance would change and for the better. It is a very vulnerable position to be in, naked infront of clothed people.
Load More Replies... TheKnightOwl 6 years ago
Yeah..no. Guy likes exposing himself, puts a camera in his hand and calls it art. I guess if they knew he was going to do it, it's not so bad. If something like this was done without knowledge, it's akin to sexual harassment...and I'm not one to throw that term around lightly.
Vonskippy 6 years ago
Meh - who cares the guy was nude. Some of the people in the photos and most of the snowflakes here on BP act like they never saw a naked d**k before. It's a d**k people, get over yourselves if you think it's something special or naughty. I find it ironic to no end how people on BP get outraged (OUTRAGED I SAY) about any naysayers to public breast feeding, but if a guy hangs his junk out in public that's "dirty". Either the human body (covered or not) is natural, or it's all bad and need to be covered like the muslims from head to toe. Pick one and stick to it. I'm tired of the hypocrisy.
noitall man 6 years ago
So what you are telling me is that you photographed evidence of your sexual aggression??? You will never be a supreme court justice. But good news, you might be the next president.
ESL 6 years ago
How is this different from when women complained that men like Louis CK and Harvey Weinstein suddenly disrobed and exposed themselves to them? This is equally creepy and unwelcome. Seems to me this is an exhibitionist act masquerading as "art".
Bobbi Newell 6 years ago
Ew, no. Just no. At that point he stopped being a photographer, and became a creeper.
Captain Planet 6 years ago
I always wonder how do you make money as a photographer making these kind of photograph series? Sure they seem interesting but who pays for this? Does anyone buy these photos or what?
Bam 6 years ago
Let me get this. This guy went to people's houses, got naked and took pictures. How did he come up with this idea?
Gvantsa 6 years ago
want to believe that only thing he did while being sober was writing explanation of idea :D not really quality art but it's fun, l like it
Load More Replies... Related on Bored Panda
