I am a 50-year-old gay man who had never had professional photos taken other than your
standard sitting for family portraits. So when my friend Sierra, who has done boudoir and pin-up
shoots with Christi, suggested that I join her for a mermaid workshop I jumped at the
opportunity. Sierra’s photos are so beautiful and I was excited to see what Christi could do with
me, and I was also curious to see how I would do in a professional photography situation.
I’ll openly admit that I have always thought I was a good-looking man--not gorgeous, not super-
sexy, but good-looking. Cute is the word that usually comes to mind. But I also see things in my
face and body that I wish weren’t there, especially things brought on by age. After seeing
Christi’s work, though, I knew she would make me look good. But honestly, I went into it
expecting to be surprised as well as a little disappointed. We’re all our own worst critics, and
while I expected to see beautiful pictures I also expected to see some of the flaws that I see in
myself every day.
When Sierra and I arrived on Sunday, I was greeted by Lela telling me that she “had plans” for
me. I had joked in the beginning about wanting major drag makeup and lots of glitter. After all, if
I’m going to pose as a sexy merman I’m embracing the moment and going all the way! But I
certainly wasn’t expecting more than some eye makeup (“Make them pop!”) and some glitter in
my beard. Maybe a little sparkly design painted on my cheek or something. But Lela gave me
the full treatment--amazing brows, cat eyes and false eyelashes, and a sparkly blue beard. I
looked and felt AMAZING! Whatever nervousness I had about posing and “making love to the
camera” was gone!
The shoot was great fun. Christi was excellent at directing this newby that had no idea what he
was doing, and I kind of felt like a pro when it was all over! Looking at the pictures afterwards,
though, was the real kicker. Some of them took my breath away. They were STUNNING to see
and realize that I was looking at myself in those pictures. My eyes were popping, and I looked
sexy as hell! I have to say that I’m a little obsessed with myself right now! It really was an
experience I will never forget, and hope to do another shoot with these two very soon.
However, the real benefit of this whole experience came Monday morning when I looked at
myself in the mirror without the makeup, the way I see myself every morning. Instead of seeing
drooping eyelids, bags and crow’s feet, I saw beautiful, flirtatious eyes. Instead of seeing gray
hairs and scruffiness, I saw a magnificent beard full of possibilities for fun, colorful dye jobs.
Instead of seeing some extra holiday weight and a belly, I saw a sexy bear of a man. This
experience showed me in a way I’d never seen myself, but it also opened my eyes to who I
already am. And that was worth every penny.
