On October 25 we went to Cuba to photograph and film four professional dancers.
Their stories — growing up and coming out in a macho-dominated society — stayed with me
I grew deeply attached to them and the crew, and I hope the current situation won’t further burden an already suffering population
Jhojan Under the Lens - November 2024
Chapter 8 Torino - Italy
Chapter 4 Bogotá, Cundinamarca - 2024
Kevin on the Sofa
Chapter 12 Mina Caolin El Vergel
Suesca, El Potrero was a wonderful surprise for all of us—a relaxed, luxurious hacienda nestled in nature at 9,500 feet (2,900 meters) above sea level. The photoshoots came second to the shared moments during meals and leisure.
—Chapter 10, Skin and Under
A message from Daiberson led to a shoot with his friend Joel. He forgot his ID, so we talked over dinner instead—stories, laughter, connection. Sometimes, the real portrait begins before the camera comes out.
The next day, we made the pictures.
—Chapter 8, Skin and Under
Miguel, in the Morning - 2024
Of the 500+ images I preselected for Skin and Under, only 192 made it in—a tough selection process shaped by the evolving book format: from 150 to 252 pages.
Here are a few that didn’t make the cut.
Medellin, January 2024, 1st Photo Shoot - Skin and Under
David was a huge help in organizing and coordinating with the models—first in Manizales and Chinchiná in 2024, and then again in Suesca in 2025. His calm presence, care, and local know-how made everything smoother and more enjoyable.
Andrés carries a quiet intensity, his sensitivity just beneath the surface. Initially hesitant, almost unaware of his undeniable beauty, he moves with a delicate yet striking presence. His piercing gaze speaks volumes, revealing a depth that lingers—unfolding slowly, drawing you in.
Kevin at Messager de Vordense, Gordes - France
The Scent of a Forgotten Garden - March 2024
In a wild garden, Daniel & Miguel meet. Strangers, yet a shared scent—wood & spice—stirs a forgotten memory. A fleeting moment, a lingering question, a past love? How could they share this memory?
The Bucaramanga Photo Shoot - January 2024
Rocca Calascio, Abruzzo, Italy
Next week, I will receive the print proofs and find out if I've found the right one (as I hope). The content has increased from 156 to 180 images 😍
Asian Suite. Bas, Buriram
This series of photographs, part of SKIN and Under, captures the serene yet evocative beauty of iconic the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, where the two models are gracefully positioned amidst the timeless lavender fields and the abbey's austere stone facades.
March 2024 - During a visit to Chinchiná, I photographed David and Juan inside a Fábrica del Café, an active coffee facility. This rare opportunity allowed me to capture the essence of Colombia's coffee production industry, framed through the presence of two striking models.
Miguel, Guardian of the Leaves
artfineline.com/artworks/ski...
Title: SKIN. And Under. Evolving Young Machos. Or Not.
Author: Igor Mattio
Format: Hardcover
Dimensions: 27.5X33 cm.
Edited by: Artineline
Publication: Spring 2025
artfineline.com/artworks/ski...
Envisioning My Best-Self
The mirror transforms into a metaphorical gateway where present and imagined selves converge—a space where ambitions meet reality and certainty dissolves into possibility. We're left to wonder: are we witnessing genuine self-recognition, or the gleam of an impossible ideal?
Lovers and Thoughts. Varigotti, Italy July 2024
Two lovers on a cliff above crystalline green sea, one sitting looking at the mountain, the other standing looking at the sea, in opposite direction. Black and white composition of young men in nature.
the book is set for publication in Spring 2025.
#FineArtPhotography
#VisualArt
#PhotographyBook
#ArtExhibition
#HumanCondition
#VulnerabilityInArt
#PhotoArt
#ContemporaryPhotography
#MaleNudeArt
#ArtisticNude
#MonochromeArt
#FineArtNude
#NudePhotography
#ArtisticExpression
The Luminous Cove - Part I
In 2025, Artfineline will proudly present SKIN. And Under: Evolving Young Machos. Or Not, a daring and evocative collection of 180 images by transformative visual artist Igor Mattio.