Will
“Conquering the barber’s chair in my own way, felt equal to any mountain peak. Having avoided barbers for as long as I can remember, the option of the ‘male’ cookie cutter haircut just never appealed. Finally growing up and having the independence to choose where I get my hair cut has helped me find my own style and confidence in front of the lens.
Hiking for me is a huge part of my life (I’m writing this on the way back from the highlands). Having grown up in the South, surrounded by busy streets and a sense of hyper-vigilance. Being out in the middle of nowhere, no people for miles and one objective, to me is pure freedom. No one to judge you or oppose you, no social media pressures; just you, nature, self determination and a genuine sense of accomplishment.
Photography has always been a creative space for me to experiment with new styles and ideas. The shoot with Chris being no exception. Being able to incorporate my passion in to a shoot, having Chris provide excellent company and direction resulting in a great collaborative experience and one I will look forward to repeating.
Nursing may be my career and it would have been so easy to incorporate this in to the shoot. However, we decided during the shoot to highlight that people are more than the sum of their career”
Will (he/him)
Will works as a specialist nurse and brings a calm, grounded presence to every space he enters.
He sees himself as the sum of his childhood, his friends, his relationships and the moments that shaped him.
Two traits run through everything he does: emotional maturity and empathy.
Both guide him in his work and in how he cares for the people around him.
He carries a clear sense of what it means to be queer.
He recognises that many grow up with real trauma, yet he sees how people turn that history into strength.
That outlook drives how he shows up for others.
Modelling marked a shift for him.
He had finished therapy and started to feel more at ease in his skin.
Meeting new people who reflected positivity back at him helped him feel seen in a new way.
He expresses himself by being fully present. With people nowadays being more fixated on getting dopamine from their phones over their environment or others, he prefers to focus on real experiences and interactions.
His message to his younger self stays simple.
Be yourself, but be the honest version. Let go of people who shrink you. The ones who stay will love the person you stop hiding.
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This is UNCUT — a raw, striking portrait series by award-winning photographer Chris Jepson capturing the power and pride of Queer Joy, shot in a barber’s chair. No filters, no retouching, no compromise. Just bold, beautiful people taking up space exactly as they are.