West Phillips

North Carolina: Tariq

Added 2025-06-09 13:00:00 +0000 UTC

Thirty-year old Tariq is my latest subject down here in Charlotte. Though I found him on Grindr, I'd seen his photos before, as he had done a duo photo shoot with a past Charlotte model of mine, Tyler. They're both tall, built, strong guys, so it makes sense that they'd model together (and of course they're friends as well). Anyway, I was impressed with his physique and look and wanted to capture it.

Originally from Guyana, he's been living in the states for most his life. Unlike most guys I've encountered here, he was serious about our photoshoot, prepping for it and making it happen. So many of the local guys I talk to about shooting end up talking endlessly about how excited they are and how much they want it and then they just flake or completely ghost - unfortunately that's always the case here and it really does chip away at my sanity to be honest. Really.

Tariq was going up to DC for World Pride this past weekend, so we did it pretty last minute the weekend before. I wanted to try a new nature spot I'd been hiking around and I knew it had some secluded pockets where we could be left to ourselves. I brought this neon green-yellow pair of briefs - thinking it'd look great with his dark, muscled body and the surrounding green. I think it worked 🔥

Belmont, June 2025