David Corey
David Corey
Occupation: Alternative Nude and Erotica Photographer
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
The Sex in My Business: I produce fresh, weird, fun, and evocative erotic images that capture the contrast (and collusion) between sex, art, and culture. While desire and temptation are present in all my photographic work, I strive to ensure the images also possess expressions of body, mood, and story that transcend sex alone. With the core belief that our brains are our most dominant sex organs, my creative sweet spot is finding that razor’s edge between what I call “big-rain sensuality” and “little-rain arousal.” The result is images that can be variously playful, odd, beautiful, uncomfortable, elegant, and sexually stirring, whether nudity is involved or not. I work with many models, performers, and sex workers in the adult industry.
A Typical Day: There is no typical day for me, but there are typical processes in planning and executing a photo shoot. When creating images for my own portfolio or for gallery display, I usually begin one of two ways. If I have a specific concept that I want to create and capture, I will begin the process by finding the right model to fit the shoot. If I have a specific model that I am interested in shooting, I will usually review their existing portfolio of images to determine how I might be able to bring something new to it based on their look, interests, and persona. No matter what approach I take, in the next phase I work with the model leading up to the shoot, passing ideas and concepts back and forth until we settle on two or three strong themes. In addition to discussing creative aspects, I also address logistics, contracts, and matters relating to consent and safety on behalf of the model. When this is all done thoroughly, the shoot usually unfolds quite easily.
The Best Part: I love being surprised during a shoot—when all my best-laid plans are overtaken by in-the-moment ideas and opportunities that further elevate the work. When these moments occur, not only is it more creatively appealing, but it also has a much richer sense of authenticity. And authenticity brings me as much joy as a well-made gin martini. Another favorite part of my job is when I have the first opportunity to view the images I have taken and begin the process of curation. I always fall in love with one or two images from each shoot I do.
The Worst Part: Logistics can be a big pain, especially if I am traveling, hauling all that camera and lighting equipment around. Since I don’t have my own studio (all my shoots are done on location to avoid any ruts or monotony), I am hauling said equipment around a fair bit. I also get frustrated managing expectations in the age of Instagram. Some people view cameras as magical stretch mark removers or handheld time machines to make the model look 20 years younger. I am a photographer, not a Photoshop geek. I want a 40-year-old to show the depth and grace of a 40-year-old. I want a 25-year-old to express the youth and hope of a 25-year-old. Smooth skin is lovely to touch, but it is our unique body shapes and tones, crow’s feet, stretch marks, scars, and other markers of age and experience that tell the best visual stories.
How I Got Here: The same way one gets to Carnegie Hall: practice. But seriously, for me, it began before I even thought about it as photography. I simply had visual ideas in my head. And then I realized that the camera was my path to capturing those ideas. I have worked in the creative arts field for more than 25 years as a writer, educator, and publisher, so my photography fills a creative gap that writing has left open, allowing me the opportunity to express views of beauty and sexuality that the pen cannot. I began by shooting images of my wife (the reluctant model that she was) and then worked with some trusted friends. Once I felt confident that my photographic “eye” was beginning to develop, I began reaching out to models, paying them to shoot with me. After a few years, my portfolio was strong enough that people began reaching out to me, and my platform blossomed.
What Society Thinks: I often refer to my work as sex industry–adjacent. I view it as authentic creative work rather than for the purpose of explicit sexual stimulation (to be clear: I am not throwing shade at pornography; it is its own type of creative work, and one I deeply appreciate). As for the attitudes of others, it can vary widely. I lead a fairly integrated life, so my family and good friends all know what I do, and they almost without exception support me. My three adult children jokingly refer to me as a pornographer, but they appreciate my work and understand its creative place. My mom is indifferent to the work itself but has never said a negative word to me about it. The response from my friends ranges from awkward curiosity to vocal praise (some of them are my biggest repeat customers). The larger social attitudes toward my work are mostly positive. The internet has certainly created a cultural context where the photography I create is largely viewed as provocative, but not inappropriate or offensive. In a world where a five-second Google search can produce thousands of clips of simulated incest porn, my work largely gets a pass.
When I’m Not At Work: As I previously mentioned, I am a writer, so I spend a fair bit of time writing and reading. I am also a musician; I play piano or guitar regularly. But ultimately, my favorite non-work activity is spending my time with my friends and family. I am quite outgoing and friendship is a core source of joy for me.
Published in Issue VI: Identity