Bear magazine book
Celebrating the Bear community.
About the project
This ongoing photographic project is a celebration of the bear community in all its forms, a visual exploration of masculinity, intimacy, confidence, and the beauty of bodies that exist outside traditional expectations. Through portraiture and nude photography, the work highlights the power, softness, sensuality, and individuality found within hairy bodies, thick bodies, muscular bodies, aging bodies, growing bodies, and everything in between.
masculinity, intimacy, sexuality, confidence
The project embraces the full spectrum of the community: bears, cubs, muscle bears, chubs, gainers, feeders, blue-collar men, soft-bodied men, rugged men, shy men, confident men, and men still learning how to see themselves as desirable. These are not polished commercial ideals of masculinity. They are real men, with real presence, real weight, real hair, and real stories written into their bodies.
unapologetically you
At its core, the work challenges the narrow standards often placed on male beauty and sexuality. It asks men to take up space unapologetically, to be seen fully, and to exist without shrinking themselves physically or emotionally. The camera becomes less about performance and more about honesty, documenting manhood in a way that feels raw, grounded, vulnerable, and deeply human.
tribute to the past
This project is in direct correlation to Bear Magazine. Images created during these photoshoots will be selected for inclusion in a special coffee table book created in homage to the now out-of-publication Bear Magazine and its lasting impact on the bear community and queer masculine imagery. All participants will be required to sign a model release prior to photographing, and selected images may be published within the final book and related promotional materials.
Homage to Bear Magazine
Bear Magazine was a groundbreaking publication dedicated to celebrating larger, rugged, and traditionally masculine men. Published from 1987 to 2011, the magazine helped define and popularize the "bear" subculture, creating visibility for men who existed outside mainstream ideals of beauty and masculinity. Founded by Richard Bulger and Chris Nelson, Bear Magazine fostered a sense of belonging and authenticity through photography, personal stories, interviews, and community features. More than a magazine, it became a cultural touchstone that documented a growing movement centered on body diversity, self-expression, and an expanded understanding of masculinity.
Staying true to the original publication, this project will include male nudity and sexually explicit imagery as it is the heartbeat of Bear Magazine; this content may be explored depending on individual comfort levels and creative direction. However, explicit content is never required to participate. Every session is collaborative, and boundaries, comfort, and consent are always respected throughout the process. The goal is to celebrate all bodies, all shapes and sizes, every muscle, every pound, how beauty, diversity, and masculinity is not defined by industry standards.
Should you participate?
Are you interested in being photographed for this ongoing series? Whether you are heavily tattooed, broad and muscular, thick and soft, gaining, aging, bearded, hairy, shy, confident, or still discovering your relationship with your own body, this project is for you.
Interested in modeling?
If you are interested in being part of the project, I would love to connect, discuss ideas, and create something honest, powerful, and unapologetically masculine together.
Read the information below on steps to get involved.
STEP 01
Fill out the form
Fill out the inquiry form below with your contact information and a breif explanation on why you want to be a participant.
STEP 02
Follow up
Once you fill out a participation inquiry, you will recieve a questionaire to fill out. This helps me to understand and learn more about you and the motivation behind modeling for this special book. We will further discuss details of comfort and boundaries, location or studio, personal preferences, etc., all in an effort to photograph you comfortably and confidently.
This will be the time to review the details of the model release required for the project. If you are unwilling to sign the release form you will not be considered to be a participant.
STEP 03
Picture time
If choosen as a participant, I will personally reach out to schedule a date to a photo shoot. Your session will be respectful of all comfort levels and boundaries while still highlighting who you are and how you want to be portrayed.
STEP 04
Delivery of photos
Once your images have been selected and edited, you will receive 2 images as compensation for participation. These images will be delivered via private download.
Since this is a collaborative project with Bear Magazine, any individuals choosen for the book will be notified via email.
not every photo shoot will be displayed in the book | regardless of physical publication, your images will be exposed through social media platforms, REFERRING TO the upcoming Bear Book
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