Artist Bio

Bobby Gordon (he/him) is a Northern California-based photographer, creating images of the liberated, pleasure-filled world in which he hopes to live. 

Gordon has developed a radically collaborative approach to creative portrait making, using a listening practice to encourage people to actively co-create their own images, and continue having a say in how and where those pictures are later used.

The experience and the photos that result are empowering, body-positive, celebrate the myriad intersections of the human experience, and challenge racist, patriarchal beauty standards. 

His photographs have been featured in Grand Park in Downtown Los Angeles, various publications in the U.S. and Brazil, and he was a finalist for the 2020 Circadian Pictures Creative Fund award. 

From 2011-2023 Gordon taught various courses on arts-activism at UCLA in the Department of World Arts & Cultures/Dance, and currently teaches at UC Santa Cruz in the Art and Performance, Play & Design departments.

My approach is rooted in consent

Consent for my photoshoots is enthusiastic, specific, and revocable. 

Enthusiastic

Before every shoot I discuss (or co-create) the idea with the model. They are either comfortable with and excited about the kind of images we plan to make or we do not make them, and make something different instead. The same is true for wardrobe choices (and/or the amount of n*d*ty), and the location where we will be shooting. 

Specific

The model has the right and ability to veto any particular pose, idea, or wardrobe/nudity they do not feel comfortable with (regardless of any previous agreement). Their consent to participate in the shoot does not mean they consent to doing whatever I (the photographer) suggests, and rejection of a specific concept simply means that we come up with a new mutually agreed upon idea, with no negative consequences for the model.

Revocable

Before, during, and after the shoot, the model has the right to veto any element of the shoot, and any edited photos that result. 

Posting: 

I always check in with the model to get consent before posting any images on social media, on my website, or for any other use. The only exception to this rule is if the model posts the image on their social media, I reserve the right to post the image on social media and on my website.

Nudity: 

Nudity, partial nudity, or simulated nudity are always discussed and agreed upon before the shoot. 

I have  a deep commitment to the comfort and safety of everyone I photograph. 

I treat models on set professionally with respect to their humanity and their personal boundaries.

I never use touch or physically move a model to tweak a pose, especially not when partially or fully nude.

I never make any comments about the person’s body I am photographing. 

I do seek to do everything I can to support the agency of the model, with the goal of their showing and expressing themselves how they want, as active co-makers of the image, rather than passive objects being photographed.