Fashion L'amour

AdeY | Feature | Print |

By Keziah Reed

We spotted AdeY making major waves on instagram with his signature artistic & captivating nude aesthetics. We decided to get in touch and find out more.

Tell us about how Adey got into photography

I wanted to capture images of my friends dancing when I was studying contemporary dance. Photography became my passion as my career in performance started. 

How did you end up shooting mostly nude people?

I was sick of how the body was always being portrayed in commercial photography with the automatic association of nudity = sex. Initially I wanted to prove to myself that you could create images of nude people that would talk about something else. In the early stages of my work I focused only on the connection of body and space.

How do you choose your subjects or models?

My models are mostly friends who are artists working as performers or dancers. As my project grew people started contacting me to be in the images which helped expand my themes and language expressed in the photos.  

You probably get asked a lot about this too, but how do you get people so comfortable enough… they don’t mind being photographed nude?

I guess I’m lucky to work with performers and dancers who are in touch with their bodies and can relate to the work I am creating. Other people that approach me to be in the images normally have been photographed nude before. I have had a few occasions where the models are a little nervous but taking time and first rehearsing what we will shoot with clothes on normally calms the nerves. 

What’s been your favourite location to shoot thus far?

That’s a hard question to answer as I have been in so many amazing places from an abandoned decaying 5 star hotel in Chiangmai, Thailand to shooting at sunset on a tiny island off the coast of Gothenburg, Sweden. Shooting on a huge frozen lake earlier this year in Copenhagen was also pretty special… but of course fucking freezing! 

Do you scout locations and plan everything in advance or is it all improvised on the day?

It’s a mix of both. Normally I have found a location and think about who would work well in that space. I then sketch a few ideas as starting points and try to allow the models to improvise a little from there. I have also done shoots completely spontaneously discovering a location as the models strip off and I franticly start loading the film in the camera. 

How has the pandemic affected your work?

Terribly. Postponements, cancellations and difficulty’s in just being able to go out and shoot. During the past year I have not had the opportunity to take many new images. The shoots that I did manage to do however I appreciate more than ever! 

Let’s talk personal fashion. How would you describe your style?

Colourful, casual and smart. During the pandemic it was probably more like Colourful, comfortable and easy 😄

If you had to let one designer dress you for a year, who would it be?

Well if Jonny Johansson wants to kit me out in ACNE Studios outfits for a year I wouldn’t say no! 

What’s next for Adey for the rest of 2021 and beyond?

I have my solo exhibition Uncensored at Gallerie XII in Los Angeles and also release my first published photobook of the same title through The Little Black Gallery who represent me. My performance work Chromatics will also premiere at Malmö/Copenhagen World Pride in August. On top of that I hope I can get out and get back to creating new images with my friends! 

See more AdeY @ https://www.instagram.com/adey/

Interview also up, including more pictures, in latest PRINT ISSUE

Tell us about how Adey got into photography I wanted to capture images of my friends dancing when I was studying contemporary dance. Photography became my passion as my career in performance started.  How did you end up shooting mostly nude people? I was sick of how the body was always being portrayed in commercial photography with the automatic association of nudity = sex. Initially I wanted to prove to myself that you could create images of nude people that would talk about something else. In the early stages of my work I focused only on the connection of body and space. How do you choose your subjects or models? My models are mostly friends who are artists working as performers or dancers. As my project grew people started contacting me to be in the images which helped expand my themes and language expressed in the photos.   You probably get asked a lot about this too, but how do you get people so comfortable enough… they don’t mind being photographed nude? I guess I’m lucky to work with performers and dancers who are in touch with their bodies and can relate to the work I am creating. Other people that approach me to be in the images normally have been photographed nude before. I have had a few occasions where the models are a little nervous but taking time and first rehearsing what we will shoot with clothes on normally calms the nerves.  What’s been your favourite location to shoot thus far? That’s a hard question to answer as I have been in so many amazing places from an abandoned decaying 5 star hotel in Chiangmai, Thailand to shooting at sunset on a tiny island off the coast of Gothenburg, Sweden. Shooting on a huge frozen lake earlier this year in Copenhagen was also pretty special… but of course fucking freezing!  Do you scout locations and plan everything in advance or is it all improvised on the day? It’s a mix of both. Normally I have found a location and think about who would work well in that space. I then sketch a few ideas as starting points and try to allow the models to improvise a little from there. I have also done shoots completely spontaneously discovering a location as the models strip off and I franticly start loading the film in the camera.  How has the pandemic affected your work? Terribly. Postponements, cancellations and difficulty’s in just being able to go out and shoot. During the past year I have not had the opportunity to take many new images. The shoots that I did manage to do however I appreciate more than ever!  Let’s talk personal fashion. How would you describe your style? Colourful, casual and smart. During the pandemic it was probably more like Colourful, comfortable and easy  If you had to let one designer dress you for a year, who would it be? Well if Jonny Johansson wants to kit me out in ACNE Studios outfits for a year I wouldn’t say no!  What’s next for Adey for the rest of 2021 and beyond? I have my solo exhibition Uncensored at Gallerie XII in Los Angeles and also release my first published photobook of the same title through The Little Black Gallery who represent me. My performance work Chromatics will also premiere at Malmö/Copenhagen World Pride in August. On top of that I hope I can get out and get back to creating new images with my friends!