Melissa Rodwell: The Boys Collection Sex, Drugs + Rock & Roll

Meet Melissa Rodwell: fashion photographer extraordinaire and LA native, whose latest series entitled “The Boys Collection,” has been exhibited around the U.S. since 2005. Rodwell graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena in 1987 before embarking on a career as a fashion photographer and has since been working professionally in the field for over two decades.

Her “Boys” series was created in response to the rampant objectification of women by predominantly male photographers—Rodwell felt that the same kind of depersonalization, vulnerability and depicted eroticism was far less common for male models under the lens of female photographers. Eager to show what she found intriguing and attractive as a working female photographer, Rodwell decided to scout out young males for a personal portrait project that embodied a celebration of the masculine form. The end result turned out to be a sexually-charged set of images starring lanky, musician types who are smoking, reclining, or stripping down to their skivvies—just what the doctor ordered! During the casting process, she happened to meet her future husband, actor David Skyler, who is featured numerous times throughout the series.

Rodwell is best known for her popular fashion photography blog, FashionPhotographyBlog.com, and is represented by Seen Artists. Starting May 20th through May 23rd, the intimately seductive portraits from her “Boys” series will be up for viewing at Snap! Orlando, alongside the work of an array of other talented photographers. MelissaRodwell.com, MelissaRodwell.net. —Nandita Scillitani