In a world saturated with digital imagery, photographer Ashton Jay is making a compelling case for the artistic and intellectual value of erotic photography. Jay, a photographer who has recently published two premium hardback coffee table books, “Portraits of the Penis” and “The Book of Butts,” is challenging traditional notions of art by capturing the human form’s most intimate areas with a focus on beauty, composition, and historical context.
Jay recently sat down with Gayety to discuss the motivation and process behind his unique portfolio, revealing that his work aims to evoke a range of emotions, from arousal to a sense of peace. “If there’s an arousal, fantastic. If you feel a sense of peace, wonderful. If both happened at the same time. Even better,” he said, speaking to the nuanced reception he hopes his art receives. This duality is central to his work, which he insists is an exploration of the human form as fine art, not pornography.
The inspiration for this bold creative direction stemmed from organic, positive feedback he received on his initial erotic photography work. “I think what happened for me was I was creating this sort of erotic portfolio and sometimes working with people who are particularly proud of certain areas of their body and wanted to showcase them anyways,”
Jay explained. This encouragement from his subjects led him to recognize a space for an artistic celebration of these often-sexualized but rarely artistically-documented body parts.
To set his work apart and add an intellectual layer, Jay incorporates historical and cultural references throughout his books. A key feature of “Portraits of the Penis” is the inclusion of Shakespearean quotes and nicknames for the male member. This clever juxtaposition of classical literature with contemporary erotic imagery serves as a winking nod to history, reminding viewers that the fascination with the human body is timeless.
Similarly, “The Book of Butts” draws inspiration from ancient sculptures and the art of the Renaissance, playfully crowning Michelangelo as the “Master of the Butts” for his refined skill in sculpting the male derriere.
The books also sprinkle in humorous and unexpected quotes from figures like Mozart and even Betty White, adding a lighthearted and conversational tone to the work. One such quote, attributed to Betty White, reads, “If the guy’s a cutie, you’ve got to tap that booty.”
Jay’s artistic approach is meticulous and intentional, with every photograph designed to create a sense of artistry and intimacy. He puts great thought into the lighting, composition, and layout of each image, often using techniques like backlighting and out-of-focus shots to draw the viewer in. This careful craftsmanship is evident in the quality of the books themselves, which are printed on high-quality 100lb paper and designed to be premium hardback coffee table books. This physical format is crucial to Jay, as it positions his work as a tangible, lasting piece of art meant for display and contemplation.
The photographer also places a great deal of importance on the emotional experience of his subjects. Jay aims to make them feel comfortable and empowered during the photoshoots, creating a dynamic where the models are active collaborators in the creative process, not just passive subjects. This focus on collaboration and consent ensures that the final images are a true reflection of a “moment that they share,” as he puts it, rather than a forced or impersonal expression.
For Jay, the project is a deep dive into the unique aspects of the male body. He believes that just like a fingerprint, “everybody’s penis is kind of like a fingerprint – it’s like everybody’s different in some way or another.” This sentiment of celebrating diversity and uniqueness is a core theme in his work, which features a wide array of models with different shades, shapes, and sizes, all in a variety of states.
As his portfolio grows, so does his ambition. Jay is already considering expanding his artistic exploration to include other body parts, such as hands and feet. This ongoing journey is a testament to his belief that art can be found in every part of the human form, and that an artistic lens can transform the intimate into something universally beautiful.
Ultimately, Ashton Jay’s “Portraits of the Penis” and “The Book of Butts” are more than just collections of erotic photographs. They are a statement about the nature of art, the power of context, and the beauty of the human body in all its forms. By blending artistic composition with a sense of humor and historical reverence, Jay is creating work that is both thought-provoking and visually stunning, inviting audiences to reconsider what they define as art and, perhaps, to find a sense of peace and wonder in the most unexpected of places.
Grab your copy of the books by visiting Ashton Jay’s site.
