Mats
Added 2022-11-10 23:47:01 +0000 UTCMeet Mats, a sweet 21-year-old marketing/business student from a small village in the Netherlands. I'm so honored that he flew to the United States for the first time just to shoot with me! He really wanted to see New York City, so of course we took photos on the Brooklyn Bridge. That night, we dressed him in a dreamy combo of posing pouch and hand-cut, shimmery gold bracelets and explored the woods together. His slim, smooth frame cut a gorgeous, desolate figure against the inky black of night.
Why did you choose to join this photography project?
One of my biggest dreams is becoming a successful international model. I would love to walk the catwalk! Fashion is one of my main hobbies and I would never leave the door with a bad outfit! For now, I mainly model for art photographers. I love to put my emotions in a photoshoot with a deeper meaning.
It sounds stupid, but I actually feel uncomfortable with my whole body. The discomfort started in high school, I was getting bullied for being gay, even though I didn’t know that myself at that age. I was also bullied for my looks. I looked too feminine and I was called fat and ugly. Through the years I’ve created an image of what I should look like, because of all the bullying. I changed myself, but when I did this I actually wasn’t myself anymore. Now I’m finally trying to be myself, but it’s very hard. I still have an image in my head of what I should look like. When I look in the mirror I see a different body; I see a fat belly and a fat waist. My friends are always the ones that are telling me I’m not really that way and they are my biggest support. I do get a lot of compliments, but I never believe them. I still can’t believe them, but I’ve come to trust my friends. So now because of my friends, I dared to do this photoshoot. I know now that the image I have of myself is a twisted image and not the truth. That’s something really important for me to remember.
What was it like working with Ryan?
My whole experience with Ryan was amazing. Ryan is a really sweet photographer with a lot of passion and ambitions! Working with him was great and I'm beyond thankful for this opportunity! Ryan makes sure everyone feels comfortable and that you're not doing anything you don't want to do. If he ever asked me again, I would fly over immediately! I had a great time!
More with Mats:
Mats - Full Photo Set
Buried in Color: Full Photo Set
Buried in Color: Short Film
Buried in Color: Behind-the-scenes
