Men strip for photo shoot aimed at tackling 'six-pack' culture

A beauty campaigner from Flintshire has staged a male photo shoot with ‘alternative’ models to help challenge the increasing pressure on men to have “six pack” bodies.

Jane Bellis, who ran a thriving salon in Ewloe and now campaigns for social change, has always battled against the stereotype images of beauty – staging alternative catwalk festivals.

But this is the first men only photo shoot, which has come in response to the growing focus on stereotypical male ‘beauty’.

Jane said: “We realised that we had failed to acknowledge that low self-esteem, low self-worth, negative body image and social anxiety aren’t just issues affecting women, but also the majority of men out there, but there is a significant lack of support for the fellas.

“It’s just as hard to be Ken as it is to be Barbie.

“Not only are we presented on a daily basis with ‘ideal’, perfect and ‘beautiful’ female images but we are also consistently drip fed six packs, bronzed 6ft gym bodied alpha males with the ‘on trend’ hair styles and all of the latest designer outfits.

“We are collectively made to feel that we need to change ourselves and conform to these aspirational images in order to be accepted, respected and loved.

“What kind of message are we teaching our children? That the way we look has far more importance than the content of our character?”

She added: “Now don’t get me wrong, if your natural shape and size is a 6ft bronzed six packed guy then that’s great.

“There’s nothing wrong with that at all. It’s just not the only body shape out there. What if you have more of a ‘keg’; than a six pack?

“Or as Andrew Kennedy joked about the first outing for a while without the bra! Or heaven forbid a guy has stretch marks or scars, or is naturally very slim, or a mountain of a man like our Nick.”

This saw her bring together a group of men of different shapes and sizes. They travelled from Manchester, Birmingham and across Wales to get involved. The pictures were taken by photographer Bri Mansy.

She said: “These amazing guys put all of their own hang ups to one side and stripped down to their shorts in an act of solidarity to help all of the men out there who suffer in silence.

“Those who feel that they are ‘too fat’, ‘too skinny’, ‘too hairy’, ‘too short’, ‘too tall’ or worst of all ‘not good enough’.”

Jane said the men involved seemed more nervous than female models she has used in previous shoots.

She added: “Maybe because for men to admit these feelings of inadequacy is way less socially acceptable than it is for women, which makes the problem even worse.”

Model Nick Gregory said: “A guy who had to wear a tee shirt to go swimming in the sea. I never get my belly out.

“Today is a game changer because the potential difference we may make is bigger than any hang ups I might have about my dad bod.

“We got this lads.”

Jane added: “This makes me so proud I could cry.

“We want to take small steps to try and erase the bad that’s been done in society and bring back a little love, compassion, support and tolerance.

“Piece by piece we can mend the damage and give our kids a brighter, and kinder future.

“All bodies are beautiful. Why try to fit into a mould that society wants to force you into when you have your very own uniqueness to celebrate?

“We are so very proud of each and every one of you guys.”

These were the amateur models involved in the shoot.

Nick Gregory, Paul Teare, Ian Wilkinson, Ian North, Steve Ashby, John Bird, Stephen Higginson, Andrew Kennedy, Kenechi K-Track Okoli, and Peadar Carragher.