I Photograph People Naked And Happy, And This Is Why...

I am a Bristol based photographer that specialises in nude portraiture. I have spent the last few years photographing people naked and it's the most life afirming, exciting work I could ever hope to be doing. Everyone I have ever shot has been nervous about not being the 'perfect' shape, age etc... Its not very often someone thinks to themselves “you know what! I am **** hot! Im going to find the best photographer I can and get some sexy bare-bottomed photos taken! hell yeah!”… Instead im often asked the question… Why would someone get naked photos of themselves taken?

Which is a perfectly valid and understandable question! To be honest before I started 'Inspire Nudity' I would not have been able to say hand-on-heart that I knew the answer!…

However over the last few years with each shoot and every conversation I've been lucky enough to have, people have shared new and wonderful answers with me! Sometimes it is very deep and personal, sometimes its to mark a special occasion and sometimes its just to have a bit of fun, and it can even be for all of these reasons and more!… But I can say from my own experience so far, for everyone (including me!), the experience becomes a journey, a challenge, a joyful celebration of who they are, a unique experience where the photos are just a keepsake of a moment, its very rarely about the images themselves that are the most important aspect of a shoot.

A nude photoshoot will not change the world or take the pressure off, I can't promise that you will never feel sad, or unhappy about your body ever again, but these shoots are not about that... They are simply about giving you the time do something out of the ordinary, to have fun, to be creative and to feel liberated... and this goes a long way towards feeling strength, confidence and value in ourselves.

So I propose that the real question is in fact “why would you NOT!?”

to find out more please visit my website at:
www.tillymayphotography.com

More info: tillymayphotography.com

“I wanted to do the shoot to become more comfortable with my own body image. I really enjoyed myself, just being allowed the space and time to experience my own body.” — Cassie-Anne

"I think it is a great thing to celebrate the naked human body and it's something people should do more often; but saying it and doing it are not the same thing. We all let our own insecurities get the better of us and women in particular encourage each other to hate parts of their body and keep them under wraps. So I wanted to do this shoot to challenge myself... I loved every minute of it and didn't want it to end"

“For me the shoot was about capturing a stage of change in my life. Highlighting how powerful our bodies are, going against my inhibitions and having no regrets.” — Tom

"I'd had a vague idea of doing a ‘nudie’ shoot for a while - primarily as a surprise for my partner, but also to see if I could, and to see if I could love the results - bit of a push for myself towards ‘loving the skin you’re in’ and so on :) I came away from the day wishing I could do it all again, and when my photos were ready I was blown away. I have a pretty rubbish view of photos of me - I sort of cringe usually. I was braced to be a bit disappointed by my not-model figure laid bare, but instead I fell in love with every photo... And when I’d finally done the (also scary!) part of giving the gift to my partner - guess what? Those photos are actually up on my wall. In view! I don’t think it’s too much to call the whole experience a life changing one"

"My main motivation to do the shoot was to overcome my insecurities related to my body. I found the whole experience very liberating and I feel it has helped to find again my feminine energy. I am now more gentle to myself and feel much better in my own skin"

“I wanted to do something brave which would help me feel better about the way I look, but also felt like an honest depiction of me, naked but also tongue in cheek and imaginative. I really enjoyed the photoshoot, it felt like the most freeing and fun thing I have done in ages" - Ellen

"Doing the shoot made me realise although the taboo of nudity feels widespread, it is fragile and worth confronting"

"I have never felt that I had a great body but after having a mastectomy, I have spent the last few years covering up all the more. The shoot was great fun and I was so proud of myself for being brave enough to do something new. The photos are lovely, scars and all and I even thought about having one framed for my surgeon!"

“Absolutely terrifying but also really lovely and exciting. I was looking for something exhilarating or some kind of change in my life and this seemed like an amazing opportunity to do something really fun and different. It was a way to really confront myself, to be open and honest and appreciate myself for what I was, lumps and bumps and all! I never actually believed I would go through with it... but when I did, I felt really proud and think I learned something new about myself. It was a great experience and I would recommend it to everyone!” — Aiofe

“I wanted to challenge and push myself out of my comfort zone. I think I was seeking that feeling of liberation you can only get from allowing yourself to be vulnerable, like with a sky dive or being on stage. The shoot was really fun and silly, After I got covered in paint, wore fake eyelashes and poured icey-cold water over my head, I forgot I had no clothes on. Terrifying and hilarious fun, everyone should do this once!” — Eoin

"I now have the most beautiful photos that have helped built my fragile confidence no end (after having a baby and a few intense operations on my tummy). I can’t recommend the experience enough not only for incredible photos but also if you’re dealing with the same issues as I once had with body confidence.” — Alice