F.A.Q. + Discussion

How Did This Project Start?

I began shooting in 2005 but didn’t fully realize the form the project was taking until Katy, my wife, became project editor and encouraged me to show more light-hearted images. Once we started working together, I began to shoot where the participants are most comfortable–in their homes–which also allows for greater variety of expressions and emotion in the work.

 

Why aren’t there more _______ women included?

This is the most common question we get. We would love the project to be more diverse! There is a lack of women of color, no transgender women, few women of Asian or Middle Eastern heritage and many other shortfalls that need to be addressed. The hardest part for us is that the project is 100% volunteer, so I do not see the women until I show up at their door. We’re doing our best to encourage all types of women, but we need volunteers of all backgrounds and walks of life to make the project more complete. If you know someone who might be interested, please encourage them to visit our participation page.

 

Why do you have to be 21 to participate when 18 is the legal age of adulthood?

We have set the minimum age of our participants at 21 because we want the experience of being a Nu Project model to be a positive one for us and the participant. At the age of 18 many people make decisions that, later in life, they wish they hadn’t. Also, we’re not comfortable working with women that young.

 

Are you ever going to shoot with men?

This is the second most common question we get. While I understand there is a lot of pressure on men to look a certain way, I believe that women are judged more harshly by appearance, and that’s why I’ve focused this project on women (and occasionally couples). I hope that there are other photographers out there who want to take on documenting men and address the body image pressure they feel.

 

Will you come to my country / city?

We will if there’s enough interest! Part of the way we decide where we’re going to travel each year is by the number of participation requests we receive from a given area. The best way to make sure we visit you is to sign up to participate and spread the word to encourage your friends to do the same.

 

What camera and lenses do you shoot with for this project?

I honestly believe you could shoot it with whatever you had and the results would still be equally beautiful, but if you must know 5D III and 16-35mm 2.8 L, 50mm 1.2 L and the 85mm 1.2 L.

 

Have you/would you ever consider photographing pregnant women as part of this project?

Absolutely. I know the timing can be difficult but if an un-model indicates she is pregnant on the sign-up form we do our best to do the shoot before she gives birth!

 

If you’d like to know more there’s a pretty good chance someone asked the question during our first Ask Me Anything on Reddit. Take a look at the discussion and if you can’t find an answer to your question, ask it below and we’ll respond ASAP. Thank you for your interest in The Nu Project!