To put it lightly, Beth was a little wary at the idea of shooting nude (“Nudity is not my scene,” she said), but she saw something special in my art and decided she would at least consider some implied nude shots. We met up at a local park and started off with some flowing outfits she had brought and used an ancient cottonwood tree for our first setting, then moved on to a country lane near a shallow river, discussing body positivity and the perfect beauty of God’s human masterpieces.
When we got to the river, Beth decided to risk a little more and ventured out in front of the camera into the breeze with only a large decorated scarf. Shortly, the fabric was flapping in the wind and Beth was dancing with exhilaration. She had discovered a new-found freedom, that of being nude in nature. Something changed in that instant and her fears were gone. The remainder of the shoot was filled with laughter and light, as her inhibitions at being nude were gone and she embraced her fullness as a beautiful creation of God.
Here’s what Beth had to say after our shoot: “I had so much fun! I LOVE THEM!!! I am so obsessed. My friends are so obsessed!! Those ones on the beach with the scarf are KILLER.”
And then a few weeks later, I got this sweet message: “Hey!! Just wanted to tell you that you’ve seriously changed my life! I’m SO comfortable with being nude now! I wanted to thank you because I feel so free now!”
We were meant to live in this life. I’m glad Beth has embraced that discovery!
Photographer Jason Lee reflects on needing to share more photos from sessions with Danya. He recalls the vibrancy and authenticity infused in their first shoot by the river, spurred by Danya’s professed admiration for his work, which led to numerous powerful shots.
I really need to share more from my shoots with Danya. I was just looking at the website and noticed that I had only shared a bit from one, so far! SO, here’s an installment from our first shoot together – down by the river. I learned on our drive out that Danya was already a fan of my work (“I f***n LOVE YOUR WORK!!!”) she said. I think because of that, there was a vibrant enthusiasm that added deepness to our shoot. So many powerful and authentic shots to share…
Sarah, a model with a passion for art, uses her body as a canvas to represent her life’s memories and symbols. A shoot at a nature preserve underlined her personal philosophy, particularly the importance of supportive friends and family, and self-expression. Sarah’s love for art is infectious and personal.
As we walked along a nature preserve, chasing the golden light and finding interesting shapes and patterns for which we could add to and contrast, we discussed the ups and downs of life, parenting, family relationships and friendship. One thing that stood out was her comment on how important it is to have friends and family around you who support who you are and how you express yourself to others.
Shelly’s fearless spirit captivated Jason Lee during their photography session on the Boise River. With an aura of determination and resilience, she exuded the confidence of someone who fearlessly tackles any challenge that comes her way. Reflecting on her adventurous nature, Jason recalled her willingness to navigate rough terrain, both in conversation and in action. Despite the absence of any harrowing situations during their shoot, they enjoyed a delightful afternoon capturing moments of beauty along the breezy banks of the river in one of Jason’s favorite canyons. Through Jason’s lens, Shelly’s boldness and adventurous spirit were immortalized, creating a visual narrative that celebrated the essence of her fearless soul.
Shelly strikes me as the kind of woman who can do whatever she sets her mind to. She’s not afraid to drive through a field, off road, full of rocks (ask me how I know!) or crack down on a bad situation (she’s got stories!) Thankfully we didn’t have to face anything like that — we had a great time shooting on the Boise River in a breezy afternoon in one of my favorite canyons.
Brittney, a young wife, mom, and Instagram influencer, teamed up with Jason Lee for a photo shoot at a riverside museum. Celebrating her “tiger stripes” and bonding over automobile restoration and family, the session captured her humor and unique beauty amidst the park’s scenery. Enjoy the vibrant photos!
Brittney’s sense of humor is contagious and you have to love her freckles! We decided to meetup and shoot near an old dam that’s become a museum on the river. Spending the cool morning sharing our mutual love of automobile restoration and talking about kids and family, we worked our way around the structure and park around it on both sides of the river. Enjoy these fun shots!
Jason Lee reflected on his photoshoot with Adrianna, noting the enjoyment of hearing the paths that led to their collaboration. Adrianna aimed to complete 30 photoshoots for her 30th birthday, with Jason being the final photographer. They utilized found buoys by a river, enhancing the shoot with a touch of autumn charm.
It’s always fun to meet and shoot with a new model. I love to hear the stories that brought us together to create art — to hear how our journeys collide and enhance each other’s lives. Adrianna had a plan to do 30 shoots for her 30th birthday and as the penultimate shoot, I got to be the 30th! We shot near a river where some buoys were left sitting around by somebody. I love incorporating “found objects” in a shoot and, with the late fall weather, these bright orange balls were just right!
SOURCE / H & E Magazine PHOTOGRAPHY / JASON LEE INTERVIEW / MARK HAMILTON
American photographer Jason Lee believes the human body reflects God’s glory.
How many other artistic photographers found their vocation courtesy of a personal dare? “It was 2006,” recalls Jason Lee. “I had been told throughout my upbringing that nudity equalled lust, and that it was impossible to spend time with a naked person of the opposite sex and not be automatically aroused. I thought this was absurd, but I wanted to test myself, and the theory, and find out if it was true. So I put out an advert as a photographer to set up what I thought would be my only experience.
“Probably not surprisingly, to those who already know how benign being nude in nature really is, I found that my model’s beauty did not distract me from capturing her likeness as art. We had a marvellous time shooting together, and I found that I had a knack for capturing art nudes. What started out as a personal challenge turned into a passion for pushing back against the negative narratives of body shame and porno-prudish thinking.”
It was the start of a new career, and Jason’s company Genesis Modeling & Photography (shootwithgenesis.com) – which now offers a range of services including personalised shoots as well as workshops with both models and photographers – was born.
“The name I chose is directly reflective of the creation account in Genesis, where man and woman were made naked and unashamed. I believe this is the original intent of God and that it has never changed, despite humanity’s fall. As a Christian, I believe that by experiencing and appreciating the beauty of the human body, we are reflecting God’s glory in which we were created. Genesis tells us that we were created in the image of God and in His likeness, completely without shame. My work as an artist in creating nude photography and body paintings is a way for me to present that viewpoint to the public.”
Approach
Jason’s beliefs are fundamental to his approach to work, and life.
“I base my understanding of naturism on what I’ve read and studied in the Bible, so I have settled on the term ‘comfortablist’. Practically, this means I’m comfortable whether in clothing or without it. I definitely think of clothing as only necessary for specific purposes or decoration, and find it completely unnecessary for the protection of ‘false modesty’. I believe modesty is an attitude, not a dress code. Though I wasn’t raised as a naturist, I made the personal choice to sleep nude around the age of seven and haven’t looked back.”
Jason recounts that his upbringing was “no different to most adolescents in America who were raised in a middle-class conservative family: namely that nudity is reserved for married intimacy or taking a shower, and that it is not to be shared. Something inside me, however, never bought into this idea. I can remember being fascinated by the beauty of the human body, even as a child, yet not really having a sanctioned way to perceive this beauty.
“I was exposed to pornography while visiting a cousin when I was about eleven, and found it to be shocking and degrading. A few years later, I went to the library (this was before the internet was a big thing) and tried to search out pure forms of nudity. What I found were classical art paintings and a section of shelves that were supposed to hold art nude photography books but instead, they were empty. Apparently even tasteful nudity was too much to just leave out on a library bookshelf. The books had to be requested via a librarian and couldn’t be checked out. It seemed absurd.”
Hooked
It should come as little surprise that Jason discovered naturism, although as he admits, it came a little later in life. “It wasn’t until moving to Idaho that I began to experience social naturism and incorporate it into my photography. Idaho is home to two naturist resorts and has many hot springs. I learned after moving here that it is not only acceptable, but often expected, to soak naturally in nature in these hot pools. After experiencing it for the first time, I was hooked and never wanted to wear a swimsuit again!
“Since that first experience, I have enjoyed social naturism many times and find it beneficial for building lasting friendships and promoting body positivity. I have participated in three World Naked Bike Rides, and my wife and I have visited several resorts and beaches, including one in Italy on a recent holiday.”
Of course, not everybody is as relaxed about nudity as that.
“For every one model who agrees to a naked shoot,” reckons Jason, “there are another nine that say: I love your work. But I can’t shoot nude because I have body hang-ups, I’m afraid of what my family/boss/friends will think, or my boyfriend/husband won’t allow me to. I think this is one of the toughest parts of producing artistic nude work. People are afraid. They’re afraid to participate. They’re afraid to admit they enjoy the experience of viewing or owning it.”
Would switching the gender balance make a difference?
Jason isn’t convinced. “I mostly shoot with female models, but occasionally work with males. Sometimes I have received a little negativity for not including more males in my work, but I often invite the person complaining to go and create their own male nude work. I can’t do it all by myself! We need lots of new art and lots of new participants if we’re going to change attitudes. But I’m happy to say that I work with a lot of models who are experiencing nude photography for the first time, and have developed a reputation for being a safe person with whom to shoot.”
String
Photography isn’t the only string to Jason’s bow – he also paints abstracts, plays music, builds furniture and restores vehicles – but he does restrict his work behind the camera to the nude.
“When people ask why, I reply because nudity is pure. It’s always my goal to present the purity and soul of a model’s personality, not a fashion show. I’m not selling clothes or cosmetics. I am not interested in being coy but nor am I trying to sell my model’s sexuality in a photo. I look for the raw, innocent essence of who she is – and as much as she would like to share of herself in that space. My work reflects the goodness of the human body in its beauty, as created. It’s as simple as that.”
Jason doesn’t just believe that what he does is art for art’s sake. “I am humbled by feedback from models and patrons who find that my work touches them in a profound way. I’ve had models who have found freedom from body shame and dysmorphia, and reported experiencing a new personal ownership of their bodies. Sometimes this even happens in the middle of a shoot. I have had others who have reported that our work together has helped resolve sexual trauma from rape and abuse. Others have remarked on how their lives have been forever made brighter, and freer, and empowered.”
Given the choice, Jason prefers the great outdoors.
“I most often shoot on location in the Pacific Northwest of the US. My home base is one of the most beautiful (and unknown) places on the planet, though I love to travel, and I’m willing to shoot practically anywhere in the world. I have an invitation to shoot in Puerto Rico soon, so I’m looking forward to that. I’d also love to have my photographic travels take me to places like the UK, Spain or New Zealand, so if any readers are interested, feel free to reach out!
“As for favourite locations, I love to include water of some kind. We have shot around water in every season, even in ice and snow. I always feel that water, whether as a waterfall, steam-filled hot pool or snowy backdrop, incorporates so many elements of nature into one place. I try to always keep my eyes open for new potential shooting spots. I once spotted a couple of abandoned milk vans down in a ravine while on location for a different spot. Of course, we had to climb down and explore.”
Elements
When not braving the elements in the winter months, as part of his Personal Spaces Project, he also shoots models at home where, as he explains, “they can be naturally nude and do whatever it is that fits their mood. It’s designed to capture a personal vibe and natural body energy in a relaxed environment, and explore the personality, mood and creativity of each model.”
Indoors or out, Jason explains that “to come up with a subject or theme for a shoot, I will collaborate with the model. I am also incredibly inspired by the natural handiwork of God in nature. I love to explore a new vista with a model and chase the light and shadows, and compare and contrast the model’s form, emotions and style against the natural features of a landscape or even an abandoned manmade space. Body paints are often similarly imagined while on site, though occasionally a theme will be developed beforehand.
“I have had quite a bit of interest in seeing my work published in book form, so I am assembling my first book of art nudes, and debating on whether I should self-publish or go for the traditional route.
“Apart from that, I am perfectly content with life the way it is. I am happily married, and my wife and I are raising our children to hopefully be well-balanced members of society. We’ve incorporated our beliefs about the body into raising them, and believe this helps to prepare them better for life as adults.”
