Masturbation is something we don't really talk about, let alone see portrayed in an honest way. Oh, I know the internet is full of pictures and videos of people touching themselves - it's called porn, and that's all fine. But I'm not interested in porn. What I am interested in showcasing the human condition. We all masturbate. It's probably the one normal thing we all do, but why is it something that we're ashamed of?
Society has a lot to do with it. Religion too. I also understand good manners and not discussing private matters with others. But when we do bring it up, it seems the intention is to sexually arouse. I don't think that has to be the case. The way I see it, jerking off is a form of self-care - not unlike brushing your teeth. I wanted to show the act of of masturbation without making it phonographic. A tough order to fill, I know, but I knew it could be done. I wanted Nathaniel to act naturally and pretend like I wasn't there. It was important that the photos felt raw and believable, so very little editing was done to them. The finished product is a series of photos that show off a normal human behavior without sexualizing it. What do you think?
