North Carolina: Bryce

Bryce and I met via Grindr sometime in June or July. He lived a couple hours from Charlotte, but came to the city frequently to visit friends, since he went to college in the area. When I first saw his profile I immediately sent him a message - as I was really taken by his look and image. Can you see why?😏

Standing at a strong and solid 6'4, 22 year old Bryce was, by no surprise, a college athlete. He'd done some 'shoots' before, but they were all college sport-related. I pitched him the idea of shooting with me and explained the types of photos and genre I was looking for and he pretty much agreed to it then and there. Of course, as with a lot of the 'newbie' guys I photograph, he still needed to take some time and think it over, or more likely convince himself to do it. We chatted off and on for a month or so and set up a couple tentative dates to shoot and made casual plans, which never happened. Once he found out I was leaving pretty soon, he seemed to get more serious about it and determined. He suggested a day, I agreed, but really didn't put much into it. The morning of the day we were to finally shoot, I woke up early suddenly remembered. I sent him a message, expecting him to bail and being ok with it, as I'd sort of lost my interest by this point. To my surprise, he responded quickly and confirmed.

I'm really glad he did, because I was in desperate need of a shoot like this - and with a guy like this. As i've likely mentioned before, finding suitable and willing guys to collaborate with in the Charlotte area has been a challenge to say the least. While I'm grateful and appreciative for those who have actually come through and shot with me here, I've really been wanting something more and a more kind of 'wow' subject. In my opinion, Bryce is him.

We shot at 2 locations on this particular day - this first series being from the Whitewater Center, outside the city. Given that it was a saturday, as expected, there were heaps of people. He mentioned he preferred the nature shots and this was the only spot I thought might be secluded enough, though I did warn him on a weekend day it was risky and not ideal. Turns out I was right - never have I seen so many people there. Even well off the trail and down into the woods there were voices all around us. We did manage to get lots of shots and even nude, but we were both too on edge and nervous with this - especially him. Being his first underwear, nude and all around sexy shoot, we really needed to be somewhere more safe, calm and quiet where it was just he and I. I mentioned that I knew of a great abandoned space that would be totally private if he was into it and willing to make the trek down there, to which he happily agreed and off we went.

For now, I'll leave you with these from the woods. Enjoy!

Charlotte, August 2023