“This is my third year creating a calendar under my brand Sexposure, and with each one, I’ve grown more unapologetic in my expression. So this year, I wanted that confidence to radiate through every image.”
That’s how model and creative director Zac Warkentin describes Forbitten Fruit, the third calendar, shot by longtime collaborator and Gayety featured artist Hannes van der Merwe. “Zac approached me with his vision for the project,” Hannes says. “We have worked together on previous shoots, so we have an established way of co-creating. A kind of collaborative shorthand, if you will.”
Zac brought the concept, a visual arc of transformation inside a lush, wild garden, and Hannes brought his signature style to shooting light, softness, and homoeroticism. And the visual narrative does just that by stripping back, quite literally, what it means to be queer and feel seen.
A Taste of FORBITTEN FRUIT
The concept began with a belief: vulnerability doesn’t weaken, it transforms. Zac imagined the calendar as a progression. Not just month-to-month, but narratively — a journey through self-exposure and reclamation. From innocence to power. From curiosity to ownership.
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“Power is often treated like something that can be given or taken away,” Zac says, “but I think true power is something you create for yourself. It’s in the act of surrender, of allowing yourself to be fully seen.”
“Hannes and I work best when things aren’t overplanned,” he says. “We set the mood, talk through the feeling we want, and then just let it evolve. Once the camera’s up and the energy’s right, everything starts to unfold naturally.”
Across all twelve images, there’s a tenderness in how Hannes shoots the male body — intimate but never objectifying. When discussing the pictures and his approach, he says, “It’s very much a reflection of my personality and how I feel during the shoot.” Zac echoes that sense of presence and release. “When I’m in front of the camera like that, it’s less about thinking and more about surrendering. I want to feel myself — the excitement dripping, the air on my skin, the weight of my own body. That’s where the confidence comes from.”
By the end of the shoot, performance gave way to instinct. “It wasn’t about posing anymore,” Zac says. “By the end, it wasn’t even about trying to look sexy. It was about feeling it and letting that energy move through me until it became something honest, something free.”
Mark Your Calendars
Forbitten Fruit is a 12-month invitation to get a little more intimate. With Zac. With yourself. With the idea that queer sensuality is both personal and powerful. The calendar is now available with shipping just in time for the holidays.
Each month holds a different tone, a new layer of the story. Some are tender, others are provocative. And yes, December delivers a holiday spread with just the right amount of red ribbon. As for his brand, Zac says: “Sexposure has always been more than just a brand; it’s a space where fantasy and reality can coexist. Where people can see themselves reflected in desire, power, and play. I want to keep building on that.”’
For Hannes, this is the kind of work that stays with him. “This project feels so special to me because of its strong, intentional message. It’s about empowerment — about defying shame and unapologetically taking up space in the world.”
In Conversation
Gayety to Zac: Hey guys — first off, I want to say, this shoot is beautiful. Zac, you mentioned the idea of entering the “forbidden garden” innocent and coming out powerful — can you tell me a bit more about what that means to you and why a calendar was the best medium to convey that narrative?
Zac: Thank you so much! That means a lot. This project was really personal to me. I wanted Forbitten Fruit to capture a moment in time where my vulnerability transforms into power.
The idea of entering the “forbidden garden” innocent and coming out powerful is about reclaiming your own narrative. Power is often treated like something that can be given or taken away, but I think true power is something you create for yourself. It’s in the act of surrender, of allowing yourself to be fully seen.
The location itself — this lush, wild garden — felt like a metaphor for transformation. At first, I was hesitant, unsure of what would come from stripping everything back. But the deeper we got into it, the more comfortable I became. There’s something liberating about baring yourself and realizing that your rawest self is your most powerful self.
A calendar feels like the perfect medium because it’s cyclical — it represents growth, change, and the passage of time. Each month tells a story, a progression, a shedding of old layers. You can literally watch that transformation unfold, month by month… both mine and your own.
Gayety to Hannes: Hannes, how did you envision bringing Zac’s concept to life?
Hannes: Thank you for the kind words. We both feel pretty proud of what we created here.
Zac is a great creative director who knows what he wants, but he also trusts me to bring my own flair to the project. He came up with a moodboard and found the amazing location. During the shoot, we both review the images as we go along and share honest feedback. We trust each other a lot. The image of Zac from behind, draped over a chair, is a good example of an idea I suggested Zac wasn’t quite sure would translate well. From a model’s perspective, it felt strange to be posing upside down like that. But it worked — and ended up being a very strong image.
This kind of intimate shoot really does require trust. Zac is fearless — and that boldness gave me the courage and permission to push past my own boundaries. It was incredibly liberating.
Gayety to Zac: Why was Hannes the right photographer to bring this story to life?
Zac: Hannes and I have shot together a few times over the years, so there’s this quiet trust that lets us go deeper each time. We’ve explored different sides of my expression before, but Forbitten Fruit felt like the first time I really let the camera trace every edge of who I am.
There’s a tension that builds when you’re standing there, bare and breathing. The air gets warm, the light starts to move across your skin in ways that feel almost intimate. You feel it rising, the muscles growing, the shadows catching every curve as if they’re studying you. It’s that ache between stillness and motion; the body alive, aware, wanting.
Hannes knows how to capture that energy without breaking it. He reads the light so well, catching the moments where restraint turns into surrender. Shooting with him feels like slipping into a trance — a kind of conversation between body and lens that leaves you a little undone but completely yourself.
Gayety to Zac: I really love the tone of this calendar — it’s erotic, but it also feels symbolic. Was that something you talked about going in, or did it emerge naturally through the shoot?
Zac: Thank you, I really appreciate that. It’s tricky finding that balance between erotic and symbolic, but I think that’s what made this project so exciting. We talked a bit about the tone before we started, but once we were shooting, it all just started happening on its own.
The movements, the looks, the poses — it all becomes instinct.
The eroticism wasn’t something I had to force. It’s in the way I breathe, in the way I touch myself, in the way I let go a little more each time. But there’s meaning behind that; it’s about owning my body, my desire, my power. Letting it all exist without shame.
Gayety to Zac: When you’re in front of the camera like that, exposed, what’s going through your head? Are you thinking about how it will look, or are you trying to feel the moment?
Zac: Oh, I’m definitely feeling the moment I’ve learned that when I feel good, I look good. It’s about letting that energy move through me instead of trying to control it. There’s something so intoxicating about being completely bare, both physically and emotionally, and letting that comfort turn into power.
In those moments, I’m not worried about the angles or the poses. I’m just present — exploring what it feels like to be seen, to feel good, to take up space, to own every inch. It’s almost like devouring the moment, savoring it, letting it consume you a little.
And I trust Hannes completely. He knows how to capture that energy without interrupting it. Seeing the shots after — it’s like watching that feeling get frozen in time.
Gayety to Hannes: And Hannes, you’ve worked with so many queer artists and subjects, what stands out about shooting with Zac? What makes this project feel special for you personally?
Hannes: I alluded somewhat to this earlier, but Zac’s fearlessness and courage to be so unapologetically himself are deeply inspiring. It encourages me to tap into my wilder side and let go of unnecessary constraints — and that ultimately makes me a better artist.
Gayety to Hannes: There’s a softness in how you shoot male subjects, even in the more erotic images. How do you find that balance?
Hannes: I love that softness is something that stands out for you. I’d only be half-joking when I say that male beauty has an intoxicating effect on me. Eroticism has many flavours — it can be defiant, powerful, aggressive, ravenous, or animalistic. But for me, eroticism and softness coexist beautifully.
Gayety to Zac: Zac, you’re not just the model for this calendar; you are the narrative. Do you see building out these stories and worlds as part of a larger project at some point?
Zac: Absolutely. These calendars are just the beginning for me; they’re my way of storytelling through seduction. Each one is a world of its own, a chapter in this ongoing exploration of fantasy, identity, and freedom.
At its core, it’s about amplifying queer voices — not just my own, but others who deserve to be seen, celebrated, and desired. Everyone’s fantasy looks different, and that’s what makes it beautiful. I want Sexposure to be a place where all those versions of beauty can live, unapologetically.
Want to see the full uncensored gallery?
We’ve published all 12 images — including those too spicy for the site — over on our Substack.
Gayety to Hannes: This makes such a perfect gift piece. Nothing gets gays into the holiday spirit quite like a naked boy wrapped in a bow. Did you have a favorite month to shoot from the calendar?
Hannes: Ha, I see you’re a fan of the December spread! It truly is a fantastic gift for anyone who loves the male form and appreciates fine art photography. There are too many favorites to choose from, but June was particularly delightful to photograph.
Keep up with Zac and Hannes by following them on Instagram. To explore more of their work, check out sexposure.co and hannesphoto.com!
