Maxwell Alexander is an entrepreneur, fitness model, and LGBTQI activist whose work revolves around empowering gay men to be proud of their sexuality, and showing the world that the gay community isn’t just about what you do in bed, but also about your character, personality, and accomplishments. That’s why Maxwell has recently launched a new NYC Male Boudoir Photography project at the Duncan Avenue Studios as his way to provide a safe space where gay men can empower themselves by showing their strength in vulnerability.
How to get over the stigma
The stigma around the LGBTQ+ community can be overwhelming. In a world that is constantly changing, and with mental health often going unaddressed, we need to take action. This is where Maxwell Alexander’s new project comes in. With his NYC Male Boudoir Experience Maxwell is breaking down barriers and empowering the gay, bisexual, transgender, and non-binary community by providing them with an out-of-body fine art view of themselves and revealing their beauty through boudoir photography. The goal of this project is to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ people to explore their gender identity while taking control of their mental health and sexuality.
Is it worth it?
Maxwell Alexander’s aim is to provide his clients with a luxury experience that will leave them feeling confident and empowered. Our team strives to create an artistic representation of our client’s inner beauty, desires, sexuality, sensuality, or self-expression by highlighting their feminine and masculine qualities in addition to the physical attributes of their bodies. We want to make sure that everyone who books our male boudoir experience can feel comfortable and respected during the entire process.
What you can expect from this experience
The experience at our NYC Male Boudoir Photoshoots is not just about capturing a moment but also about exploring the person’s self-image and sense of pride. We have had clients say that the images from their session have helped them accept their bodies. We believe that every human deserves to feel beautiful and confident in their own skin no matter what size or shape they may be. And of course, professional makeup, styling, and most importantly lighting, help reveal the natural beauty that all of us possess, unlike Hollywood celebrities would say.
Why should you do this?
Duncan Avenue Studio is more than just a place for people to come for photos; we want our clients to leave empowered and better at expressing themselves sexually. We’ve had clients who are no longer living in the closet but are not yet ready to tell everyone they’re gay or bi because they want some time before coming out publicly. Boudoir, in general, can be empowering for anyone, it’s all about finding what you like about yourself that you never thought was sexy, and then owning it.
What will you get out of it?
The male boudoir experience at Duncan Avenue Studios provides a safe space for men to explore their own mix of masculinity and femininity while feeling good about themselves in the process. It’s not just about making people feel sexy or beautiful; it’s about making them feel like they’re worth it. That they deserve to be treated well, that they are lovable just as they are, and that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with them or their sexual quirks. In the past, men have told me that after taking photos with me, they’ve had better conversations with family members and friends about their sexuality just because of the next-level confidence they’ve had ever since the photoshoot.
Who are my clients?
I am very honored to say that my clients are not limited to just one demographic. Men of all backgrounds and ages come to me for their sessions. Some are looking for a fun gift for their significant other, some want a more confident and sexy self-image, and others who have been in the closet all their life want to finally be able to show themselves off in an artful and meaningful way. My goal is not only to make them feel good about themselves but also to help them find the courage they may have never found on their own.
With any form of art come people from different walks of life with different needs. As an artist, it’s important to stay true to myself and produce work for those who need it most. For example, there are other photographers doing male boudoir sessions in New York City that focus strictly on getting naked images of hot models which is just fine, but honestly, there is no shortage of that on Instagram. It’s easy to get lost in what’s sexy instead of what’s empowering. I believe the point of this project is for each individual involved to feel great about themselves and walk away feeling stronger than before.
So when it comes down to it, these shoots are much more than just taking pictures…they’re life-changing moments. In these few hours we share together as a professional production team and the model, our job is to give that person back something he thought was lost; his confidence, his strength, his power. And by giving him back what he lacks on the outside I hope to give him back something he thought was lost on the inside.
The Duncan Avenue Studios offers male photography sessions that are not limited to only one demographic and are open to gay, straight, bi-sexual, queer, and transgender folks. When someone steps foot onto our set, whether for a boudoir shoot or anything else, we do everything in our power to put them at ease and make them forget why they walked in the door. That way all that’s left is the now. Our photoshoots are always a party and the creative energy that is generated in the process is just something unforgettable and all that matters is how incredible they can feel about themselves jumping back into the daily grind. Plus, there is a set of amazing photos that are a true testament of their transformation.
