Taking a deep dive into Geronimo, I quickly discovered that he never set out to capture the nude male form for a living. Back in 2014, he picked up a camera for a required university class. Learning the manual settings and wandering around outside transformed what originally was schoolwork into a new passion. The medium drifted in and out of his life over the following decade, bouncing between a personal hobby, a side gig, and a full-time career. Eventually, he pulled back to guard the craft for himself as his own cathartic, creative outlet rather than making it a commercial endeavor.
“It’s like fuel for me,” Geronimo says. “It keeps me going and gives me the energy I need for everything else in life.”
Before the camera ever even provided an outlet, nature filled that role for a young Geronimo. Growing up in the Philippines, he retreated to a local tamarind grove (or sampalukan) whenever he needed clarity. That peaceful atmosphere among the trees became his big light bulb moment and the foundation for his visual signature: blending the male body directly with open landscapes.
“When people look at my work, I want them to see the naked male body not as something taboo, but as a striking expression of freedom, desire, and pure beauty,” he says.
And as I take a look throughout his photography, I see that theme woven throughout every shot. The muse perfectly sculptured and posed in divine nature, displaying liberation and sensuality all at once. A great juxtaposition that Geronimo always captures in his work.
Finding The Perfect Muse
Geronimo had a very specific concept envisioned way before his most recent project came together: “a summer that exists only in dreams.” He wanted warm sunlight, thick greenery, quiet water, and complete male nudity. He had the idea planted and growing in the back of his mind for some time before stumbling across the profile of professional pole dancer Nic Dega who was the perfect vessel to make it all come to life.
“The moment I saw Nic, I had my answer,” Geronimo recalls.
Nic’s background pole dancing gave him exceptional body control, flexibility, and spatial awareness (not to mention a ripped physique). Two weeks before production, Geronimo sent over a mood board that highlighted the visual direction and the required nudity. While Nic was accustomed to showing skin online, stepping in front of a lens fully unclothed was completely new territory.
To ease those initial nerves, Geronimo brought his subject to an outdoor location he found while walking along a riverbank. He noticed how the thick green leaves filtered the afternoon light right onto the calm water.
Nic’s athleticism and muscular aesthetic swiftly became the focal point in a sequence of shots that even left me reeled in by its magnetic force. Although initially nervous, his presence brought a warm, welcoming feel and kept me invested (as I’m sure any viewer would who had the chance to see this collection).
Building Trust On Location
Photo shoots outdoors (especially without clothes) requires a lot of trust between the model and the person behind the lens. Geronimo structures his sessions to build that security gradually, to make sure the muse feels at ease. He always starts shooting with the model fully clothed, allowing everyone to get comfortable before shedding layers.
“Knowing he was in a safe space where his comfort and the art were equally prioritized allowed him to step fully into the concept,” Geronimo says. “To me, being naked in these spaces is about stepping into total freedom.”
Once the session started, Geronimo took a few planned compositions before stepping back to let Nic move naturally through the river and trees.
“Most of the magic happens all’improvviso,” Geronimo explains (using the Italian phrase for spontaneity). “I start with a few target frames in mind, but once the model begins to move, I prefer capturing the in-between moments.”
I really get a sense of free mobility moving through Nic as he grew comfortable, and I can tell Geronimo shifted his focus toward getting that editorialized picture rather than a quick social post pic. The lighting is based in warm tones that is relaxing to the eye and gives a sense of comfort. Seeing Nic in these poses, lifting a leg or maneuvering the forest with the riverbank behind him, feels reminiscent of Adam in the garden of Eden, like we’re seeing something forbidden and primal.
Bringing Art To Paper
Geronimo edits his work using a mix of vivid color and stark monochrome. The decision to strip away color or leave the rich natural tones depends entirely on instinct during post-production.
Now, those images live together in his debut photo book, Intertwined. For Geronimo, getting the work onto printed pages was the ultimate goal.
“Screens just can’t give you the feeling of a physical book,” he says. “I’m old-school, and there’s a depth and sense of involvement when you’re actually turning the pages in your hands.”
With warm weather back, Geronimo is already location scouting for his next series, though his current focus remains on this project with Nic.
You can order your limited edition copy of Intertwined here. You can follow Geronimo’s latest work on Instagram, and check out more from Nic Dega on his Instagram and OnlyFans.
