Prostitution is not just an occupation. It is a phenomenon. Ever since people started consuming sex not only for reproduction but for pleasure as well, it has been offered as a service. The peak of what is now considered to be sexually deviant behavior was in ancient Greece and Rome, during which young boys were openly objects of sexual desire. After Western Civilization adopted Judeo - Christian tradition of monotheism, having sex with young men for pleasure became socially unacceptable. However, young male prostitutes still exist: they are among us, in our families, buildings, or in our classrooms. Sex became a job, and sex industry evolved into one of the most profitable industries of all.
Student population in the New York City has a great opportunity to live life in full. New York could be the best place to be in if one is financially secure, and the worst one if one is penniless. Most of students are not rich, and a great number of them are working in order to pay bills. Among numerous occupations that are available for students, there is one that no one is proud of – prostitution.
In this project, I am making portraits of those students who are offering their skills in “massage”, “conversation” or just company to gay men in exchange for money.
Every single young man that I shot for this project acted differently during the photo sessions. Some of them explicitly offered sexual “paybacks” after the session; some of them just took the money and left. I grow to have a great respect for those guys. They know why they are doing what they are doing.
I never wanted to portrait these models as “cheap street sluts”, because that’s not what they are. I rather celebrate their bodies and bravery, and present them for what they are: proud young men who are dealing with this world in the best way they can.