From Boardrooms to Boys Next Door: Meet the Pioneer Redefining Male Art
In part one of our interview with photographer Chris Teel, we discuss his early inspirations, leaving corporate work for a creative life, and see exclusive images from his portfolio.
Decades before it was considered socially acceptable, Canadian photographer Chris Teel has been creating nude male art with erotic undertones. Only in recent years have people begun to embrace body ownership, but the road to acceptance was a long one paved by artists like Chris, who would create without societal permission.
Chris takes a thoughtful and introspective approach to his work, blending his life experiences into themes of sensuality, challenging notions of masculinity while celebrating men in their beautiful complexities.
From Corporate Climb to Creative Heights
Like many artists, Chris set aside his creative pursuits to focus on a corporate career that would provide him with financial security, often absent in many creative fields. After years of climbing the endless corporate ladder, Chris felt an internal conflict brewing — torn between the life he was building and the life he longed for as an artist.
A career restructuring catalyzed a bold decision to leave stability behind and chase a long-held dream. Moving to Toronto, he found the perfect environment to immerse himself in photography. Drawing from early influences like Playgirl magazines and a fascination with the stories behind their images, Chris began to shape his vision of capturing men as more than objects of desire, creating multidimensional images that present depth and humanity.
Advice for Aspiring Photographers
Chris' story inspires any creative who questions their ability to build a passion-based life. His vote of confidence in himself has resulted in a decades-long career and thousands of unique works featuring a diverse range of men from every cultural and ethnic background.
For Chris, photography is as much about relationships as it is about art. Long-term collaborations with models like Manuel Skye and Corey Kirk have allowed him to grow alongside his subjects, resulting in images that capture their evolution and his own as an artist.
Chris's advice for those venturing into intimate portraiture is rooted in self-awareness and professionalism. He encourages novice photographers to understand their motivations, invest in their technical skills, and always treat their subjects respectfully. He notes that rejection is part of the process, but persistence and a commitment to growth can lead to meaningful opportunities and social change.
To see uncensored images from Chris’ collection and continue reading our interview, subscribe and become a member.
The next 100 subscribers will save 20% off an annual membership!