Things have been tight at home, and I need to make additional money to support my dad. Right now, I work from home at a small-scale data company conducting market research on consumer products. I never planned on pursuing this career route, but my dad was too important to me.
I don't make enough money doing what I do, which is a problem because I don't even make ends meet. I need to do better for my father since he doesn't have much. I've lived with him my whole life to support him and his needs.
My name is Billy Williams. I am currently 43 years old and live in Louisville, Kentucky. I have a baby face with short, light blonde hair and glimmering blue eyes. If you saw me, you would probably refer to me as a chubby "Bubba" who is always rocking overalls. I have a high-pitched southern accent.
I am not super tall or hairy, and my pale skin glows brightly in the sun. That is how pale I am, which makes sense because I have worked remotely before the pandemic. I like to say I was one of the few trailblazers assumed to be "lazy" before it became a widespread working trend.
I needed to be creative and discover where I could generate supplementary income. I didn't have a diverse skill set besides computer and research skills. One day, I was scrolling through different ads online. I discovered a photographer stationed in Newburg, which wasn't very far from where I was. I was never confident with my body, but this may be a chance to get over that while making some cash. I needed to try.
I researched the photographer. His name was Anthony Johnson. He was a middle-aged bald chub like me, excluding the baldness, who started this photograph series to destroy the restrictive body standards men often experience. I went through a timeframe where I hated my body. It was almost a form of body dysmorphia.
I don't necessarily love my body right now. Still, I don't hate it, which is a good sign of progress, according to my previous therapist. It is something I am working on all the time. I just need someone to appreciate me for it.
After reading more about the series, I saw it included big, overweight guys, which excited me because this opportunity was what I was seeking. He didn't photograph men in the nude, which relieved me because I didn't want anyone to see my naked body. I wasn't proud of what I had down there.
Let's say my bum was hugely round and bubbled, and my junkular area wasn't close to average by any means. It wasn't a standard package and would be considered underwhelming. That is the only description I will be giving of it. Use your imagination.
I messaged Anthony and told him I was interested in being photographed. I sent him a couple of selfies, and he felt inspirited to photograph my body. The photoshoot would take around two hours, and I would receive $100.00 per hour. We scheduled the shoot for that Friday in the early evening, right before the sunset.
I asked him what I needed to bring, and his exact words were, "you only need to bring your adorable self to the studio."
That was sweet of him to describe in such a generous fashion. I really was flattered. I didn't know what to wear, so I just planned on wearing my typical overalls. After working a hectic job running dry research reports for our clients, I was ready for the weekend. On Friday, I drove to the address Anthony gave me. I was expecting a small rinky-dink studio, but it was pretty spacious and in a secluded spot.
This man had a delectable taste in interior decorating because the entire studio had an industrial style with bare bricks and metal lights that beamed in light orange tones. I walked inside this marvelous place, feeling a nice cool breeze. There were fountains with the sound of dripping water and large couches to relax on. He was playing ocean sounds in the background. Was this heaven? I thought it was just a studio.
I caught Anthony's wandering eyes, and he walked up to me to introduce himself. Wow, he was a colossal deity of a man. He was super tall, chubby, and had jewel-like green eyes that would probably glisten in the moonlight. He had a deep and gentle voice. He shook my hand, and I was impressed with his firm grasp.
Before I proceed further with the story, I must say I am not gay but have my curiosities. I would probably identify as bi-curious because I have never done anything with a man before. Still, the sight of a beefcake's body like Anthony's would cause my heart to melt. He wore blue jeans, a black shirt, and a red and black flannel. I wondered where his wooden ax was.
After he shook my hand, he made me twirl and told me I was "absolutely stunning." I blushed a bright shade of red and thanked him. He asked me if I needed anything before we started, like water. I told him I didn't and that he was very considerate. He laughed, said we didn't want any peeping toms in and closed the front door.
He had a white backdrop towards the back of the studio and placed two chairs near the camera. Whenever he photographs someone, he would like to know their story if they are comfortable sharing.
I didn't mind telling him at all. I told him my story about my dad and why I decided to reach out for the opportunity. He was very empathetic because his mother was sick, and he started this series to cover her insurance bills. He pays the models a portion of what he makes.
Still, most of the money he acquires comes from donors passionate about body positivity. I asked him why photography was his passion. I think what he started was excellent and brave, giving men the space to feel proud of their bodies.
The art of photography is what he appreciates, the capturing not of people or places but moments in time passed down from generation to generation. He had always had a knack for the camera and producing images since he started when he was really young. He recalls having a red room where he created the original photos himself.
People come and go in our lives, but the photograph can keep that specific, sentimental moment of them alive, even if they are no longer with us. He opened up about photographing his father and will always cherish their memories. The passing and grieving process was challenging for him, but photography helped heal his wounds. I thought that was inspiring. I told him about my mother's passing at a young age, which we emotionally bonded over.
I caught Anthony checking me out on many occasions. I could see he was trying to avoid eye contact when I noticed his blatant staring. I felt a little uncomfortable. He looked a little nervous. I thought I would photograph his clothes here, but he wanted me to stay in my regular garments. It was time to start, and I was scared.