For Bryan, a 38-year-old gay father of two, getting dolled up in a suit with rhinestone shoes for the camera meant embracing an identity he’d spent most of his life denying.
“From a pretty young age I remember feeling differently when looking at men,” says Bryan. “However, my Christian upbringing made it very clear to me that it was wrong for me to feel those things and I became uncomfortable in my own skin.”
As life progressed, Bryan continued to turn to his religion, hoping to find the answers he so desperately was searching for – hoping that he could change himself and his desires and still feel like himself.
“I believed marrying a woman and having children would ‘fix’ me and so, that’s what I did. For some reason I couldn’t figure out why I still desired a man instead of a woman, why even though I ‘knew’ it was wrong that I still felt so uncomfortable,” he shared with us.
When Bryan realized he was doing everything by the book, yet it wasn’t bringing him happiness, he began to look inward and started asking himself some serious questions.
“Those questions lead to some pretty intense belief changes, life altering decisions and a man that realized there wasn’t anything to fix, he wasn’t broken and who he was attracted to was normal,” he said.
Ever since then, Bryan has been on a journey of finding comfort in living authentically as himself, which has come with its own challenges and achievements. After navigating an unfamiliar and intimidating new dating world, Bryan is now in a committed relationship with his boyfriend.
“It has been a long and difficult journey but I’ve found love in a man that sees me for me and thinks I’m sexy as hell and I’ve started accepting and believing that,” he said.
For Bryan, getting in front of the camera with us at Allebach Photography was a pivotal point in his journey of self-acceptance.
“This session for me was about being comfortable in my skin. This has been something I’ve struggled with my entire life in many different ways. I wanted to be able to look at myself and like what I saw. Not to mention give my boyfriend some sexy pictures!” he added. (See his boyfriend’s reaction here!)
Bryan says he had so much fun living his true self during his session (rocking leather pants, a harness, rose hold heels and skirt, though not all at the same time!), and that it made him feel “sexy, comfortable and loveable.”
“This photo session has just pushed it further and made me feel even more comfortable with myself and in my skin. Mike and Erika made me feel completely at ease, feel seen and accepted and feel incredibly sexy and confident! I never thought I’d so willingly get buck naked in front of two people I had just met. Thank you both for playing a part in my journey to self-acceptance!”
At Allebach Photography, we believe everyone deserves to live their best authentic life, no matter what that looks like. If you’re ready for us to capture your authentic self, call us at 610.539.6920 or visit https://allebachphotography.com/info/book-session to get started!