Don't Be Afraid (REPOST FROM 2016)

Art Model, Covenant ©2015 Terrell Neasley

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." 

~ Nelson Mandela

Don't be afraid.

You know I can honestly leave this post at just those 3 words, but anybody who knows me, knows I am never that succinct. I like to use my words, so let me articulate my meaning here. Elocution would serve better, but since I have not as of yet published my work via podcasts, the written word will suffice. As a former Staff Sergeant in the Army, my voice can deliver the intended affect with inflection and tone that deliver my meaning more accurately, but I will try to get my point across, nonetheless. Maybe one day I'll do a speech on the matter. For now...the written word.

Art Model, Samantha ©2011 Terrell Neasley

We all fear. Its inevitable that something will arise that will cause fear at some point in our lives. However, as you may already know, its how we respond to the fear that makes the difference. As a kid, I used to get my ass kicked just about daily, until I decided to make some changes. Since I was already taking a beating, how would striking back and defending myself make matters worse? So I learned to hit back...hard. Interestingly enough, the beatings stopped. Correlation? You tell me.

Today, I live differently. I don't have to fight like that so much. There are other things in life that make me afraid, but those early years, along with some military refining has helped me control fears better, (but not eliminate them, however). Now, I almost have fun with it. Fear lets me take on life challenges that can be rewarding times ten more when you overcome them. I tend to run towards things I fear, which may not be wise at times, but I'm not altogether stupid either.

Art Model, Leslie  Copyright 2016 Terrell Neasley

Don't be afraid of the opinion of others. This is especially so, concerning those who should have little influence on your well-being, income, or health.

Don't be afraid of being the only one. It can be lonely to go it alone but you will find out more about yourself, your capabilities, and thereby boosting your confidence. Not everyone has your vision or wants to do what you want to do. That doesn't mean you have to flow with the status quo. Do you.

"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. It's where all the fruit is." 

~Shirley MacLaine

Don't be afraid to lose things, people, or money. It's bound to happen and you'll have to accept that fact. Its supposed to be that way when you think about it. People will come and go, but that's not always a bad thing. Things are temporary and you'll always be getting more stuff.

Don't be afraid to try new things. This is how you learn and experience the world.

Art Model, Anne ©2015 Terrell Neasley

Don't be afraid to fail. I've heard is said, "Failure is not the opposite of Success. It is PART of it." You'll make mistakes. Get up and learn from it.

Don't be afraid of the unknown. You don't know everything. In fact, you know very little. Hence, most of the universe is unknown to you. Think about how much you didn't know 5 years ago. The things you know today were unknown to you then. You don't always need to play it safe. Be smart. Get outside the lines a little bit. You'll thank me.

Don't be afraid to start that adventure. JUST GO! Old people don't brag about how many overtime hours they clocked. Or how many consecutive years they were able to stay under budget at Corporation XYZ.  That shit doesn't make for good stories.

Art Model Chloe Ann Copyright 2017 Terrell Neasley

"An artist must be free to choose what he does, certainly, but he must also never be afraid to do what he might choose."

~ Langston Hughes

Don't be afraid to be hated. Not everyone will like you, especially when you start getting good and succeeding. That's just a fact. It means you're likely enjoying yourself. Don't sabotage your own happiness worrying about somebody hating on you. Katt Williams says the more haters you have the happier you likely are.

Don't be afraid of bad circumstances. It happens. It's going to happen again. How you respond to bad circumstances is what makes the bad circumstances permanent or not. And if they are not permanent...why worry?

Don't be afraid to trust yourself. In all actuality, you can't trust yourself, but you should. You're going to fail. You're going to let yourself down. However all that matters is the fact that you still control you. You 100% can't control anyone else. You CAN control you. So that makes you the most trustworthy person alive. Having some self control issues? Well, stop that shit.

Art Model, Melissa ©2009 Terrell Neasley

Don't be afraid to keep learning...from anybody. I have learned so much from people 80 years old as well as from an 18 year old. I can't say what I might learn from an 8 year old, but I'm sure its possible, somehow. You won't know it all. Ever. So keep soaking up information and tidbits of wisdom where you find it. Keep your mind open because you'll likely come across it in some of the most unlikely places. Age, social status, economic class, race... if you limit where you can accept learning because of these dividing lines, you limit the potential you can evolve to. Cut that shit out.

Now go handle your business.

Art Model, KristiC ©2016 Terrell Neasley

Travel Nudes - Jenny in Peru

Art Model, @JennyPoses4U_2 ©2019 Terrell Neasley

During my last month in Peru, I got to work with art model, @JennyPoses4U_2,  who traveled to Peru from the US to shoot with me. She met me in Lima, Peru's capital city, and we traveled for 3 weeks up to Northern Peru, back to Lima, and then to two locations in Southern Peru before returning again to Lima. We spent almost a week up north at a beach bungalow resort before heading south to Puno on Lake Titicaca. There, we stayed with hosts on a man-made island built by a family from the Aymaras, (nope, not Incas) who's culture has lasted for centuries on this lake at 12,000 feet above sea level. Lastly, a visit to a lodge in Colca Canyon turned out to be extraordinary.

Northern Peru

After a few days in Lima to settle in, we took a flight to Piura and bused to our hotel in Cancas, just north of the popular town of Mancora. Why? Well, when you have nudes on your itinerary, less people and more private beaches may come at a premium, but its worth it. We chose a beachfront bungalow at a resort that had plenty of privacy and an interior worth shooting. Working with Jennifer early in the mornings allowed the best beach advantage. The tide was also at a low point. When we couldn't shoot outside, we did our best to be creative on the inside of our large and spacious bungalow.

Art Model, @JennyPoses4U_2 ©2019 Terrell Neasley

Art Model, @JennyPoses4U_2 ©2019 Terrell Neasley

Art Model, @JennyPoses4U_2 ©2019 Terrell Neasley

Back to Lima

We were actually in Lima 3 different times at 4 different hotels. One, when Jennifer flew in for two days. Again upon returning from Northern Peru. And twice more upon returning from Southern Peru til she flew back home. Each stay in Lima was 2 or 3 days. Of course, there was no outdoor shooting in Lima. But when we were not shooting inside, we went out and just explored. I am not the best city tourist, unfortunately, but I did my best to go shopping and sight seeing around the city without looking like I wanted to be in the wild somewhere. I'm not entirely certain I succeeded, however this was her adventure, too. So being a team player was important. Shopping, museums, and city tours were added to the agenda. Lima had all this aplenty, especially in the Miraflores and Barranco districts.

Art Model, @JennyPoses4U_2 ©2019 Terrell Neasley

Art Model, @JennyPoses4U_2 ©2019 Terrell Neasley

Art Model, @JennyPoses4U_2 ©2019 Terrell Neasley

Southern Peru

Puno
It was beautiful and relaxing on the beach for nearly a week in the north. But for me at least, the adventure began in the south. We flew to Puno along the banks of the famous Lake Titicaca which spans the border, and of which 40% is claimed by Bolivia. We were met by our host Wilbur of the Aymara people who live out ON the lake on an island that HE made of reeds. He keeps adding layers every so often as the island will fully submerge after 20 to 30 years. We spent 3 days with this family where the nights are below freezing despite the fact that they were in the summer season. We got 2.5 liter hot water bottles to keep us warm and this was our only source of heat at night. Of course this is not a large island; maybe 50' x 50', so there was not much shooting outdoors and the interiors were not as appealing. Mainly just white walls.

Art Model, @JennyPoses4U_2 ©2019 Terrell Neasley

Colca Canyon
We bused for 6 hours northward, (but still in Southern Peru) to Chivay and then a taxi 10 mins down the road to the town of Yanque. Here we stayed at another lodge that sat on the precipice along Colca Canyon at it's midpoint. Breath-taking is the most literal way I could describe this place. What we missed shooting in on Lake Titicaca, we more than made up for it, shooting here. I endeavor to return here and venture more into this canyon. It's about 45 miles long and over 10,000 feet deep, which is even deeper than the Grand Canyon at 6,000 feet. That gives me a lot of ground to cover! But alas, only 3 days there, a 3 hour bus ride to Arequipa, and then a flight back to Lima. Jennifer returned home 3 days after that.

Art Model, @JennyPoses4U_2 ©2019 Terrell Neasley

Art Model, @JennyPoses4U_2 ©2019 Terrell Neasley

I've been editing for the last 5 weeks, going over more than 3 thousand photos taken over 3 weeks. Granted, most of my peers would be shooting that total per day! A book on this project is forthcoming, as well. I am confident to have it all completed within the first week of May and am looking forward to having a copy of that book in my hands. There's no comparison between looking at it on a computer screen versus having a series of tangible prints in your hands bound in a hardback 11 x 14 150-page book. These will be large full-page spreads on some of the best heavy stock paper made for printing. So yeah, I can't wait to see this. Maybe you'll like it, too! Or even better, maybe you'd like to do a shoot like this. Well... regardless, stay tuned.