The Photography of Mack Sturgis
Within the bear community there is a shortlist of artists and photographers that spring to mind when you are seeking gorgeous imagery of bears and Mack Sturgis is at the top of that list.
For approximately fifteen years Mack has gained an impeccable reputation for capturing sexy and, daresay, ethereal photographs of furry men, muscle bears and daddies. He primarily works with his husband Chad Newlon out of their studio near Fort Worth, Texas and primarily displays his work on social media for all to enjoy. Recently he has expanded into galley exhibitions in Provincetown and Dallas much to the delight of art aficionados and collectors.
We sit down with this incredible artist to learn about his evolution in the craft and plans for the future while enjoying a selection of curated images from the master himself. Read on to the end to find out how you can see more of Mack’s work and purchase prints of your favorite images.
John Hernandez (JH): Hey Mack! Thanks for joining me. You are recognized for your work featuring muscle bears and daddies. What led you to feature those types of men specifically in your work?
Mack Sturgis (MS): I would say following my passions for this type of man and creating images of the men I am attracted to in works by other artists is what led me to try to capture an epic version of them in my own work. The muscle bear/daddy type was who I was most attracted to as I was growing up. My first attractions to men were the godlike images I would see in bible studies or books about mythology that my grandparents had. I try to capture some of that larger-than-life vibe in my work…
JH: You photograph all types of people and body types. Do you ever display those images? If so, where?
MS: At this point, my outlet for sharing the majority of my work is just through my social media pages. I do try to post at least some variety, but I also have difficulty getting too much variety in the guys I shoot because they see my work and then think they aren’t built enough, hairy enough etc to fit my “type”. I’m actually very interested in a range of body types, and I like to shoot contrasts in my images…a big hairy muscle daddy with a smooth younger guy, for example. For some reason I have the least response to shooting from men of color. Not quite sure why they don’t respond as much to my invitations to shoot as others, but I’m very open and would love it if they did.
JH: Are you self-taught or did you take photography classes? How has your photographic eye evolved over the past 15 years?
MS: I actually began shooting in high school…more than 40 years ago now! Back then cameras weren’t so readily available, so before I bought my first camera, I did a lot of research and studying of other photographers on my own. I did take a couple of basic photography classes for technique and art/design courses, which helped with composition and an understanding of the foundation of art history from which to launch. Since then, the camera itself and interesting lighting equipment have evolved so much it is a continual process of learning through experimentation.
JH: How do you pick your models?
MS: When I was first getting started, I met most of my models through a networking site called Model Mayhem…or by just approaching guys I wanted to shoot on the street. These days I meet most of my models through social media or through referrals by other men I have shot.
JH: And what is a typical shoot like with Mack Sturgis?
MS: Most of my shoots are very fluid…(laughs). The model and I may share some basic concepts prior to the shoot, but nothing too specific. I like to just let the shoot evolve at its own once I meet the model in person, discover their best angles and see how the light highlights their sexy features as we make our way around the spaces where we shoot. If I was doing more commercial work, I’m sure my shoots would have to be much more structured. I will say that because of the combination of studio spaces where we shoot (around our house and in an old mechanics shop), the sexy men who are so open to my direction, and the light in our spaces, our shoots can have a very magical, surreal feeling to them. I think this actually comes through in the images and makes them special.
JH: I read that you shoot with your husband, Chad Newlon. How do you guys collaborate on set?
MS: Yes…we always shoot together, which I absolutely love! And we tend to decide who we will photograph together. It has become kind of a joke between us when we see men we think are hot to say…”We could photograph him!”
I do most of the directing during the shoot and take my shots with my Nikon full sensor camera while Chad is shooting with his iPhone. I love seeing the difference in the work we create even though we are shooting simultaneously! Since Chad shoots with his phone and does his editing on his phone, he is usually able to get images finalized and sent out before I have a chance to actually download my files. Once I start seeing them when he posts them or shares them with the models, I like to tease by saying “I didn’t even need to be there!” because he creates such beautiful images.
JH: Aww I love it. Given your body of work, do you identify as part of the bear community?
MS: This question really made me think…as I’m not sure I totally identify with any specific community. I have great respect and admiration for the bear community…and have thoroughly enjoyed being part of Bear Week in Ptown for the last 2 Summers and photographing all the fine men who are part of the community, but I think I have more of a loner personally. I have interactions with an extensive variety of people in my life…from the day job, to life in small town Texas, to family and friends who are family. They are all so diverse, which I love, but I’m not sure I feel like I fit into any of them as a specific community…if that makes sense? I definitely enjoy communing with the bear community though! (Laughs)
JH: Makes perfect sense. Do you have any plans to release a book of photography or have more exhibitions?
MS: Yes! A book is definitely on the horizon…and I keep getting signs from the universe it is time. The hard part is going to be editing down the huge archive of work I’ve created! I’m thinking it is going to need to be more than one volume to include all my favorite images. And I would definitely love to show more work in galleries! Our two shows in Ptown at the Lesh Gallery the last two summers have been such great experiences. One drawback is I like to show some of my racier images…and I’m not sure the market for that type of wall art is that large. There are many comments like “I LOVE this piece…but would not want it hanging when my family comes over!”. Are you buying your art for yourself or your family!?
JH: Fair point. Now, tell me about the @thesacredjock Instagram account.
MS: Over the years of shooting and using the Sacred Jock…it started to have a presence of its own and was actually named by a friend we shot who spent the weekend with us wearing it. Then it just seemed like a natural progression for it to have its own IG account! It seems to have a mystique about it and models get excited about it as they slip it on…worn by so many…never washed.
JH: Umm you might want to auction that jock off when you’re ready to retire Mack! (Laughs) Thank you so much for joining me and sharing your beautiful work with us. Can’t wait to see what you come out with next.
MS: Thank you so much!
To see more work from Mack Sturgis, be sure to follow him on Instagram @macksturgis.g and on Twitter/X @macksturgis. You can also reach out to him on those platforms or at macksturgis@gmail.com to order prints of any images of his that you’d like to own for yourself. Also, be sure to keep an eye on his website www.macksturgis.com for an upcoming revamp.
