Leather Boyz Proof Video Walk Through
Leather Boyz is the second of four books I am publishing in 2020. This collection goes deep in its exploration of the gay BDSM scene. From puppy play to latex vacuum beds and everything in between, the 51 black and white images photographed over seven years from 2014 to 2020 serve as an anthropological study of the subculture’s people, codes, fashion and practices.
This project started in 2013 when I was out doing street photography and happened upon two men in leather chaps. Sensing the potential for an image I followed them to a hotel near Capital Hill. The entrance and lobby were filled with people in various states of dress and undress. I felt like a fish out of water and was very intimidated by the scene in front of me. I took a few pictures and then left. The following year I came back with a friend who was familiar with this culture and that gave me the courage to shoot more freely. Over time and after sharing images with some of my subjects I felt more welcomed and have since pursued photographing this culture from the perspective of a documentarian, street photographer and portraitist.
This first edition has a unique design featuring several gatefold spreads and a blue film dust jacket. Subsequent editions will not include the blue film design. All books purchased online are hand-numbered and signed.