Stefan Jagd

What? A body art project in photography / an photographic art project

Who? Stefan Sommer Jagd is a professional photographer with almost 15 years of experience in fashion, portrait and art photography. He graduated as a photojournalist, trained in professional fashion photography and former student of a royal photographer. He has a total of 8 exhibitions under his belt, most recently in 2019.

How did it come about? The project broke ground in 2021 and has been built ever since. Finally now the project has a clear purpose, hence the many years of working. So far, the models involved in the project have been acquaintances who have voluntarily participated in this, which is admirable.

What is the purpose? The project will culminate in an exhibition. Read more about this below.

When will it happen? There is no date yet for when the exhibition will take place. But it will happen when I think the project is ready to be finalized.

What is the requirement for me to participate? You must be at least 18 years old.

Pro bono: This assignment is voluntary work, and, just like the project, based off passion.

There is no requirement for experience as a model. I will guide you safely and well through the shoot.

You must be fit and have visible, marked muscles (to a greater or lesser extent, but as a viewer there should be no doubt that it is a muscular male body). Therefore, please send me pictures of your current shape in both relaxed and toned form. If you've been in “competition shape” you can also send these.
Alternatively, you may have already been contacted by me because I have seen pictures via your Instagram or similar.
Send photos to stefansommerjagd@gmail.com or Instagram @fotografenstefan

If you want to get into a certain shape (it can be a cut, a little more muscle mass or something else, let me know. We'll find a deadline for this before the shoot).

As a starting point, I get the best results with a partially nude model (underwear or nothing), then the focus is solely on the body as it is.
If this seems a bit intimidating, we'll find a solution where you feel safe and comfortable and I still get some images I can use. This can be topless and jeans or similar.

The project will become an exhibition, and it will be included in PR and advertising on SoMe platforms, and possibly posters in the city. The model must agree to this - with consent.

Optional, but not a requirement: I usually photograph the models “faceless”, as this is all about the body. See the project description below, then it makes sense. But of course I would love to have the option to include the face in the photos. This is entirely up to the model herself.

The only absolute requirement is that the model must not have taken steroids or other doping substances. This project is about how the body can look, naturally, through hard work and discipline. 

How does it work?

I handpick the models and often find them via Instagram. The shoot usually takes place in a studio, depending on where I'm allowed to shoot. But it can also take place on location outside, depending on the weather, season and idea. I plan the idea together with the model, depending on what the model is up for.

Usually, we meet on the day of the shoot, chat over a cup of coffee and get to know each other. The shoot itself takes about 1-2 hours, depending on the model's need for guidance. Therefore, expect a duration of around 3-4 hours. This is an intimate shoot in a demanding project and should not be rushed.

The model will, of course, have the opportunity to look through the photos along the way.
You will be taught poses, both basic and more complicated, and you will learn to find your own rhythm as I let you move and find out what works.

The actual selection of the final images is up to me, and the model has no influence on this.

Of course, the model will be sent the final images, and these may not be shared on any media platforms until the photographer/me gives permission.

When does the shoot take place?

This is planned together with the model. As a starting point, Mondays (during the day) are best, as well as weekday afternoons (except Thursday, noon is best). Weekend days can also be an option if things fall into place.

Set aside plenty of time and make sure you don't have too many plans afterwards, as I know from experience how demanding such a shoot is and you're usually very tired afterwards.

Ethical considerations

The project is extremely demanding of both photographer and model, especially as the model is nude and/or partially nude. It's a shoot where I get up close and personal and photograph the body in a way one's not used to. At the same time, it's extremely intimate and personal.

I take this very seriously, which is why it's the most important priority for me that the model feels comfortable and confident throughout the shoot. It's super important that the model feel that they can set boundaries for what they are brave enough to do.
This is not up for discussion and of course I respect this and together we find a work-around where the model has a good and comfortable, fun experience and I get the images I can use.

There will never be a time when I will ask the model to do something they clearly don't want to do. The shoot and the project is strictly professional and therefore my approach is so.

Experience shows that once you get over this threshold, it's quite easy and simple.
And that's when it gets really fun.