What are Bodyscapes?

Bodyscapes have evolved over the years. I started out being inspired by a more traditional nude photo that was beautifully backlit. I loved the lighting, I thought it highlighted the models' natural beauty and curves so well while giving the photo an almost surreal look. I said to myself that if I ever got the chance I'd give it a go.

I was fortunate enough to be able to give shooting a nude model a try, however, initially, the photos were shot with the intent to pose the body to make interesting or confusing shapes.

It wasn't until I was looking along a model's back one day that I noticed similarities between the body and the landscape around us. After discussing this with a friend and receiving their encouragement, I explored this idea and 'Bodyscapes' was born.

The Bodyscape photos are typically made up of individual photos and aligned to create the scene I imagine. I have shot them before all in-camera using four models, a 1500L pool of water in my living room, a DIY gas califont, and two smoke machines - but that's a story for another day.

People often ask if the Bodyscapes are based on real places, and the simple answer is, no they're not. I start with a pose/portion of the body that I can associate with a landscape, or makes me feel as it would belong in a landscape, then I imagine myself in the location and I ask myself - what would I expect to see if I look to my right? And so on. This is the time-consuming part, however, it's this process that I love.

To me, if you have to think twice about what you are viewing then I have achieved my goal. I had a print on display in a gallery window and someone came in and asked where it was taken. That for me was a great moment.