Photographer Michael Andrew distils the spirit of youth.

“I don’t think a fascination with youth is an affliction strictly limited to gay men,” says Aussie-born, German-based photographer Michael Andrew, despite producing a 96-page book of near-naked youths that begs to differ.

“You only have to look at the international, multi-billion dollar industries of fashion and cosmetics, dedicated mainly to youth, to see that this is universal and unisexual.”

Which is a reasonable defense – ‘hey, everyone else is doing it’ – but falls short in explaining why the queer demographic (which, let’s face it, usually head the industries of fashion and cosmetics) are All About the Boys.

“On a purely physical level, my models are generally in the age range of 18 to 25,” says the photographer, adding as an aside, “or look it.” The book unapologetically offers little diversity even outside that restriction, which is perhaps its greatest, if not safest, guarantee of success.

The images invoke in the viewer both a knowing cynicism and wary desire, like peeking into a window experience has taught us to walk past. The models perpetuate it, provocatively staged with an absence of intent to take it any further.

Look but don’t touch, a point curiously illustrated in the book’s epilogue, in which Andrews reveals his own predilection when recounting the first time he walked into the studios of Bel Ami. “I was simultaneously pinching myself while inexplicably wondering why all the faces looked so familiar.”

These boys live in a seemingly insular world of enthusiasm, spontaneity, new experiences and pace (the bulk of the work was shot in only three weeks), and the casual observer is left to wonder if there was an X-Box on the set to keep them occupied while the photographer reloaded.

The book offers the uncomfortable paradox of wanting to take one of these boys under your wing and then take him from behind.
Don’t feel bad. Both your instincts are right. AXN

All About the Boys by Michael Andrew is out now through Bruno Gmünder and is available through Evolution Online. Log onto eevolution.com.au.