Houston-based photographer Steven Tilotta is on a mission to promote body positivity and showcase men of all sizes through his photography and motivational messages. In 2013, he decided to put down his paintbrush and pick up a camera, despite being told by a professor in college that he would never be good at photography because he questioned the rules. “When it comes to the arts, I don’t believe in rules; imagine if Picasso had played by the rules,” Tilotta said.
Tilotta’s work is heavily influenced by his idols, Annie Leibovitz and Herb Ritts, and cinematic color grading. “I love shadows. I like to show a darker side because I believe everyone has one. It is what we choose to do with it — keep it suppressed or show it to the world,” he explained. His latest project, As Is, features classic portraits of real bodies, showcasing men who are not typically depicted as the standard of male beauty.
“I want to start a revolution; a revolution where we can begin to heal and learn to accept ourselves. As Is took a long journey, but I hope that we can begin to love ourselves,” Tilotta said. The book includes positive quotes from the photographer and others, alongside notes from Tilotta himself. As Is is not just a photography book, but a message of body positivity and self-acceptance.
As the body positivity movement gains traction, Tilotta’s work is a reminder that every body is beautiful, and should be celebrated. As Is is a journey to accepting ourselves ‘as is,’ and a call to break away from the toxic beauty standards that have been force-fed to us. You can find the book on Amazon, or visit Tilotta’s website and Instagram to learn more about his work.
