Bad Relationships.

35mm | Ecuador | 2010 | Unapologetic Apologies

Here's a selfie of my pal Eric and I sharing a beverage, with filmmaker Collin Morrison in the background. I've never seen this photo before, but I know that when it was shot I would have left the long scratch that crossed above our mouths. At the point the grungier the better.

2010 | #UnapologeticApologies

Stanley Park Nude, Summer 2010.

Bronica sq | 80mm 2.8 | Ilford HP5 120mm film | #UnapologeticAplogies

I friend asked how I approach models to shoot nudes, and how I handle myself. This is what I said.

As for nudes. I would find someone who loves themselves, not like they love their tits, but they like who they are, they are happy with themselves, and are kinda cheeky and playful. It helps if they are enjoying themselves and moving around. When they move from pose to pose that's when you shoot. Not when they are in a pose. That's why I like to give them a prop. Like a branch. They forget they are there and wave it around like wand. they are playing. and THERE NEEDS TO BE CHEMISTRY. Nothing sexual. Unless you want that. But your working with each other. Give and take. But ask yourself why you want to shoot nudes? I would love to hear your answer. It's not to unclothe women. For me it makes a photo timeless. There are no brand names or labels or context for time. It's provocative yea, but its also just beautiful. Beautiful imperfections. Then once you know why, you can be more upfront with your model as to why you want to shoot nudes. The more info the better. Be real. It's a rush. its nerve racking, its scary. It may go bad hahaha. But most the time 9the girl walks away happy. I am selective when shooting girls. Not for body type, but for personality, and their story.

Feel free to write me at info@alexguiryphoto.com if you have any questions or collaboration ideas. This photo was taken on the same setup from the previous post, but just an hour before. #UnapologeticApologies

I didn't really have my intentions set out at this point. No concept from what I remember. This was the first time I used a medium format camera for a shoot and first time I used an external flash as well. It was the first day shooting nudes with these friends, and the second time ever. They brought a couple friends each and I wasn't expecting that. I was nervous. I pretended to know what I was doing. But the film didn't advance and I shot two photos onto the same frame. An optimist says it's a "happy accident", some call it an in camera double exposure, but I just didn't read the manual. I've never put concrete words to this photo. Maybe it because I didn't control the outcome. I left it up to the viewer to do that. That's what I loved about critiques back in the day. Hearing what feelings came up for someone else as the read into it. Their interpretations, projections, and personal stories that stemmed from a piece, or how it was shot.

#UnapologeticApologies | Circa 2010 | Mamiya 67 | Ilford HP5 120mm

Self Portait: Jesus Fish

At the time I was living in a trailer, at a campground, in Tofino, in 2010. The night before this was taken, I got naked in the parking lot while putting my wetsuit on.  I did it in front of a carload of girls who were clearly spying on the boys and I. Everyone got a good crack out of it. Then they sped off in there civics. When we came back from the surf I noticed they'd left a note on my car with their number on it. I called them, or probably got someone else to, and invited them to my place for a campfire. They came. Later that night we'd had a few too many pops, and I thought that'd be a good time to win a girl over.  So I grabbed a wiener roasting stick and bent the two prongs across each and made a Jesus Fish symbol. I had the girls pin me down on the ground. One on each arm, and one on each leg. I had my pants at me knees. Then I waited for my pal Bob to pull the metal prongs out of the yellow coals.

Then he branded my ass.

Then the girls went home.

Then I went to the doctor.

Then I couldn't surf for two weeks...

I remember this day, clear as all hell, as one of the gloomiest days of living on my own. I didn't find a new place to live until the evening I moved out of the Cambie House. It was with a bunch of stoners I didn't know, and the feeling was too familiar. Later that week, Ian called me up to go crabbing with the boys. This is them at the bow of the boat, going full speed. These guys were having a riot pulling up crabs, but I just couldn't kick it. I sat in the back and observed. I remember intentionally putting my finger in the frame to make this image look gloomier.

Circa, 2011 |  London Drugs 35mm film | Thrift store point & shoot camera

Naked Pizza Party Selfie

This was taken at my old house in 2010.  I lived with 5 other skater punks. While in school, we'd snowboard 4 days a week trying to get an education. None of us knew how to cook, or had time too, so we found ourselves eating frozen pizza four nights a week. We had these house rules (posted behind us) titled "Cambie House Rules" Number four stated: "Naked while eating pizza." I would come home from school and find one of the guys eating pizza alone, and naked- then I'd Join em'. These two are still some of my best pals in life. Mickey in the middle, just won the Amazing Race Canada. Everyone say "Hi Mickey!"

On this night I was boozin' hard with the boys, having some laughs. We were at a party we weren't invited to, and we were stealing the show. Then I lost my dads memorial ring. I shut the party down, asking everyone to help me find the ring. I couldn't find it. On the way out of the house I took this photo. It looked sad too. The next day, with a moral hangover I stumbled back to the door step to have another look. I didn't even know the hostess's name. She wasn't there but her dad was. Man, he wasn't happy to see me. I told him my story, and he said I could have another look for The Ring, I just had to help him move this desk into the car. Turned out he had split with his wife and that's why he was moving. There I was, one of the lousy skids from the night before. Anyways I was having trouble finding it. So I decided to follow the dog around. Yea, weird eh? But he led me to a flower pot, and inside was my dads memorial ring! #UnapologeticApologies #35mm

The Living Room

K here we go, shit's getting interesting now for this #UnapologeticApologies series. This is first or second year uni in 2010. Shooting every project wasted, then submitting it hungover. Here we are skating in my pals living room. Life motto's at this point: "Fuck The Man" and "Live Fast, Die Young." not "Skate Or Die" that came later I swear.

Why I don't Shoot Weddings.

Here's an outtake from a shoot I did circa 2010. It's been suggested to me countless times, "You should shoot weddings... Who cares if you hate it, you can make a killing!" Truth be told, shooting weddings are a huge turn off for me because of all the artificial, juvenile, and short lived fleeting relationships around me.  It gives me the shits thinking about it. That being said there are a number of wedding photographers out there who specialize in this field and are doing a great job, capturing those moments and making 10 times what I make. "3k in a day! How could you pass that up Alex!?" How bout 5k, 10k? Because It taxes me emotionally, and artistically. It's just not me. I'd rather photograph a couple making love.

Bronica sq -80mm lens- Ilford HP5 iso400

Jakey

I can't find this photo and I probably never will. It's a one off, double exposure 5x6 print from when I was 15. It ain't edited on a computer, or shot in camera like most are, this was done in the dark room on an enlarger with two negatives sandwiched together. This was my girlfriend Daryl's little brother Jakey at 7. Jakey had and has down-syndrome. I overlapped his portrait with a road lined in trees. At that time the only people I showed my photos were friends and classmates- and they were upset with the outcome. It was the first time I was happy with something and no one else was- creatively. Love yea Jakey.

Hi

I just found this filter someone lent me back in 2006 for this photo. Woops. Probably my teacher. It's meant to make clouds more contrasty. I'll give it a go when I find the right sized lens. I remember this flight. The turbulence's were so bad the flight attendant had to come on the speaker and assure everyone we were going to be fine. My dad and I looked at each other and laughed hysterically at how upset everyone was. Sunken back in their seats, grasping arms rests, with heads cocked up, and eye's praying to the sky. We got a kick out of it. An old friend's mom probably still has this on her basement wall. #35mm # UnapologeticApologies

I rented my first camera from Henrey's in grade 10 or 11. You'd put something like a 50 bucks down to rent it for a semester and then you could buy it at the end for another 50. My mom said "If you get an 'A' at the end of it all, I'll buy the camera for you." I ended up getting %100 in the class. An A plus. I was a C+ kinda of guy- then I said suck on that high school. Key West, Florida, Circa 2006.

Unapologetic Apologies

Here's a photo from high school, circa 2006, leaving to Key West, Florida. First time I traveled with my camera. First photo I got into a cafe shop gallery in my hometown, Oakville. One of the last trips with my family as a whole. Fuck! I miss you dad... Anyways, I started scanning dozens and dozens of rolls of film today, dated back to the start of all this- grade 10 or 11- and then all the way into my alcohol, drug crazed days of Art School in 2009. What a trip it's been, thanks to those who've stuck by me while I freaked the fuck out. Lots of wild work so here's the first of my Unapologetic Apologies series.