Conversations under trees

(My images with Matt, mixed in with two exclusive art pieces from him, will feature in the upcoming Autumn Winter print issue of Boys by Girls Magazine, which is out 30th October, 2016. His interview will follow online to give you further insight into our collaboration and his journey to accept himself and who he is.)

We sat under the same tree where I usually go to be alone with my thoughts. Me, my thoughts and I; party in my head. Sometimes a wonderous haven of endless inner festivities and beautiful visions — other days a lonely house party that nobody turned up to, where I’m left to finish all the imaginary canapés in silence. This time we were alone together; me and this boy called Matt.

Matt Scszygielski, a wonderfully artistic and poetic young mind I found online. Such is the beauty of social media. There was something about his images and how he was able to beautifully express himself through his artistic self portraits. An ability to capture the male body so sensitively, as if each frame was a poem that needed expressing. This is what inspired me to photograph him, to finally be able to capture the male body with a sensitivity and poetry that felt natural to me. In the background; my own insecurities dancing like cats on drugs from the thought of capturing someone so bare — so honestly. A need to do us both justice and let this shared vision turn into beautiful imagery.

I envied him as he laid naked in the sun, carefully embraced by the long, wild grass. I envied his ability to love himself and his body, to fully express himself — and trusting me to capture it all. As a photographer, it’s those moments of intimidating challenges that helps you grow. This one felt triumphant. Fast forward six weeks, and we found ourselves under a different tree reflecting on our collaboration. Choosing visuals and artwork, and looking at how to present it to the world. Hoping that they will like what we created.

We talked about freedom to express yourself and the importance of loving yourself and your own body. We talked about what his tattoos mean and if his mother approves of the choices he makes. How he created his ink paintings to sit alongside my photographs. Long conversations between strangers. It’s funny how you can find inspiration in new places if you simply take the time to listen to somebody. Time goes quickly under trees.