For San Francisco-based photographer Wilford Wells, photography is less about spectacle and more about connection. His work centers on observation, intimacy, and collaboration, an approach shaped in part by his own introversion.
“I’m definitely more observer than performer. Listener than talker. Voyeur than exhibitionist,” Wilford says, noting that the camera often serves as a bridge. “The camera gives me permission to interact with people I’d otherwise be too shy to approach.” That instinct guided his latest collaboration with 31-year-old fine art model Peter Williams, a project that draws heavily from classical sculpture, mythology, and the aesthetics of the Grecian Ideal.
A Modern Interpretation of Classical Beauty
When Peter first sent reference photos, Wilford says the creative direction was immediate. “When he sent me photos, I immediately thought of Michelangelo, Greek mythology, and Renaissance sculpture,” he explains. “The idea of shooting him as a modern-day Greek god just clicked.”
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The resulting series balances reverence with intimacy. Peter moved fluidly between poses, changing positions every few seconds, allowing Wilford to focus on composition and mood rather than directing each movement. “Our dynamic was fluid and collaborative,” Wilford says. “He had a clear vision, and I was just there to bring it to life.”
Training the Body to a Classical Standard
Peter’s physique is not accidental. He has intentionally modeled his body after the Grecian Ideal, a proportional system rooted in classical art that uses measurements like wrist circumference to determine ideal muscle balance.
“I very much prefer having a goal dictated by aesthetic proportions, that is not necessarily about becoming as big as possible, and has a stopping point,” Peter says. After 15 years of training, he has found satisfaction in gradual progress rather than endless expansion. His academic background also plays a role. Peter studied art history in college and describes both bodybuilding and art history as lifelong obsessions.
“I think the aesthetic angle gave an artsy geek like me an entry point into gyms, which can be a very intimidating environment,” he says. Early on, that intimidation led him to train late at night, convinced he did not belong. Looking back, he now sees that fear as misplaced.
Reclaiming the Body Through Nude Modeling
For Peter, nude modeling extends beyond aesthetics. It is a way to confront shame and reclaim ownership of his body after a conservative Evangelical upbringing. “Part of my love of nude modeling stems from being able to use my naked body creatively, which I find heals a lot of the false conditioning of distrust and shame,” he says.
That sense of healing is present throughout the series. The images feel intentional and grounded, emphasizing presence rather than performance.
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The Role of Bratt Manor
The shoot took place at Bratt Manor, a historic Victorian estate whose ornate interiors became an essential part of the visual story. “There’s something about an old-world backdrop that adds gravity and romance to nude portraiture,” Wilford says. “A studio can feel clinical. Bratt Manor felt like myth and mystery.”
The home, named informally after its owners, features hand-painted frescos, chandeliers, and original gas lamps. Rather than serving as a neutral setting, it reinforces the classical references embedded in Peter’s poses.
Classical Sculpture, Modern Context
Peter’s posing draws directly from ancient and Renaissance sources. He memorizes references and adapts them intuitively, sometimes without realizing it. “Even when I’m not working, I often stand around with a little contrapposto,” he says, adding that strangers sometimes comment on his statue-like presence in public.
That connection to antiquity also informs his views on nudity, masculinity, and proportion. Classical sculptures like Michelangelo’s David famously depict modest genitalia, a choice rooted in ancient values. “That’s correct, by ancient beauty standards, a large penises was vulgar and represented a lack of self-control,” Peter explains, quoting Aristophanes’ description of the ideal male form: “a gleaming chest, bright skin, broad shoulders, tiny tongue, strong buttocks, and a little prick.”
After years of modeling nude, Peter says comfort comes from understanding that artistic nudity is about study, not sexualization. “I have felt more sexualized gazes walking through a gay bar fully clothed than totally nude during a drawing session,” he notes.
Collaboration Over Control
Wilford describes the shoot as effortless, emphasizing his role as a facilitator rather than a director. “I always try to prioritize the model’s vision over my own,” he says. “With Peter, that collaboration felt especially natural.” While Peter’s physique draws attention, Wilford says the emotional resonance of the images matters just as much. The goal was never spectacle, but atmosphere.
Sacred, Seductive, and Human
The final series celebrates what Wilford calls “the male form, of artistry, of classical sculpture,” while still allowing room for playfulness and intimacy. “There’s a bit of reverence, sure, but also a wink of playfulness,” he says. “I hope the viewer feels like they’ve stumbled into something both sacred and seductive.”
For Wilford, the ultimate hope is transportation, if only briefly. “To transport viewers, just for a moment, to ancient Greece,” he says, imagining a world where classical ideals feel alive again, not frozen on a pedestal.
Want to see the good stuff?
We’ve published more of Wells’ work — including the shots too spicy for this site — over on our Substack.
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To keep up with all things from Wilford, follow him on Instagram or check out his website. Located in the Bay Area or beyond and looking to collaborate on a shoot? Drop him a DM! For more from Peter, follow him on Instagram or check out his modeling portfolio!
