Meet the Photographer Turning Nude Portraits Into Minimalist Masterpieces
From polished chrome to soft flesh, Sébastien captures erotic tension with a minimalist’s eye for his new book, LES CHAISES.
Sébastien, the artist behind Etat d'Homme, doesn't just create beautiful images — he builds deliberate, thoughtful compositions where bodies meet design and sensuality finds form. Working exclusively with natural light, his aesthetic is clean and minimal, yet his photographs embody an undeniable erotic energy rooted in emotional intimacy, architectural elegance, and a sincere admiration for the male form.
Though Sébastien only started working in male nude portraiture during the pandemic, his work feels seasoned, sharp, and deeply self-aware — characteristics that can take creatives decades to refine.
A longtime translator by trade, he began shooting male nudes while living in Lisbon. What started as a way to connect with others in a new city soon became a personal and artistic breakthrough. Since then, his camera has bridged creativity and human connection.
Finding Focus in Barcelona
Sébastien grew up in the French countryside, which, as he puts it, taught him one thing: he hates the countryside. After moving to Paris at 24, he discovered photography through a camera gifted by his grandfather.
While some photographers are drawn to the mechanics and functionality of their camera, Sébastien was more interested in its creative capabilities. "What I instantly liked about it was the possibility of creating images. The beauty of a photograph that will live on."
Early work focused on minimal street photography, but during COVID lockdowns, a shift occurred. At home with his partner, Sébastien turned the lens toward him — resulting in his first foray into nude portraiture. That same partner, still his creative collaborator, now helps with book design and technical production.
Today, Sébastien lives in Barcelona, a city he initially visited for a short stay but never left — embracing a thriving queer lifestyle and warm Mediterranean light, which is a natural match for his shooting style.
Sexy Yet Poetic, Suggestive Yet Soft
Sébastien's photographs balance eroticism with restraint, allowing form, shadow, and mood to do the heavy lifting. His models' faces are often obscured, allowing the viewer to focus on the form and feeling rather than the individual.
"Clean, intentional, minimal, sexy yet meaningful, suggestive yet poetic."
His personal traits — hypersensitivity, a strong aesthetic intention, and a tendency toward quiet observation — are all present in his work. Though he considers himself more reserved, his photography expresses emotions openly, if wordlessly.
Even as his style has sharpened and grown more sensual over time, Sébastien's core obsessions remain consistent: clean lines, soft light, round butts, and a deep appreciation for physical beauty.
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