Lust or Love: 26 Images of Nude Men You'll Fall For
We're proud to introduce you to Ricardo Hernandez, one of your favorite upcoming queer photographers!
Like many Millennials, Richard's love for art was shaped by a childhood home alone, tucked away in his room, absorbing all things pop culture. He reflects, "Anime in the 90s was quite brazen, so I always had a very close relationship with sexual themes and naked bodies," hinting at the early seeds of his current work.
Now living in San José, Costa Rica, he draws inspiration from those early influences and combines them with a rebellious spirit to create art that defies his home country's conservative norms — capturing erotic images that emphasize man’s sensuality and beauty — reflecting his romanticism and desire for human connection.
Self-Discovery During a Dark Time
In 2011, Ricardo escaped into photography from his dark reality. "Around that time, I was experiencing a low point. I was a failure at college, had lost many friends, and didn't know what the fuck I was going to do with my life." But it was during that time a friend introduced him to the work of Jean Loup Sieff, a French photographer whose use of black-and-white photography and wide-angle nudes captured Ricardo's attention and reinvigorated creative instincts.
Sieff's work inspired Ricardo to pursue photography, "I went to the Internet, bought the same book, which I still have today, and studied all of his pictures obsessively." Like many artists, Ricardo became enlightened during one of life's darkest moments, using his lens to guide him through personal struggles while finding his voice.
The Influence of Light and Atmosphere
One of the most identifiable aspects of Ricardo's work is his use of light and how it interacts with his subjects. "The single most important thing is light and its source," he says. Whether shooting in natural settings or creating studio setups, his primary focus is always on how light shapes the photograph's mood. His work ranges from voyeuristic shots where light spills through windows to intense, high-contrast scenes highlighting the subject's vulnerability.
The backdrop plays a role, but for Ricardo, it's always secondary to the subject. He often favors close-up shots and natural spaces where the environment enhances the image rather than distracts from it. "A lot of my pictures involve nudity, but it's never just about the body. It's about how the person interacts with the light, with the surroundings, with the moment."
At the heart of Ricardo's work is a deep desire to connect with his subjects. "If you're going to have a beautiful human being naked in front of you, in perhaps a vulnerable moment, you've got to be able to truly connect and make them feel welcomed in your world of dreams," he says. This empathy and sensitivity translate into his images, which often feel like intimate glimpses into the personal worlds of his subjects.
To see more of Ricardo’s work, follow him on Instagram! If you want to explore more of Ricardo’s sensual dream world, visit his website here! You can also hear more from Ricardo by listening to our podcast interview here!