This weekend, I asked Jennifer Mansell to take photos of me fully naked.

Why? Because I wanted to feel what it would be like to be one of the men in my new Soft Men portrait book project. (Click here to read the big announcement.)

This book will have 50 black & white portraits of amazing men, all of whom will be fully naked. My intention is to strip away the armour of these men and get as close to their hearts as possible. 

This book will be a celebration of their softness. Their sensitivity. Their hearts, and also their power. 

What was my first nude photo experience like? 

It was difficult. It was triggering. It brought up a lot of shame…

• Shame about my body

• Shame about my belly

• Shame about my body hair

• Shame about my penis

But it also brought up a lot of questions…

• Who placed this shame inside of me?

• Where did it come from? 

• How long has it been there?

• What type of impact has it had on my life? 

I know this project has tremendous healing potential. There are so many men walking around in isolation and holding on to secret shame. 

A part of me really hopes I can forget this ever happened. But I’m finding ways to be patient and loving with this part of me that’s probably just scared and protective, and feels the pressure of society. 

These two simple photos terrify me, but here they are.