London photographer Liam Campbell has three favorite things; travel, photography, and beautifully flawed men. From those three things, he created
Elska Magazine, a bi-monthly publication dedicated to photographs of real people and their stories.
To celebrate travel and culture, Campbell creates each issue in a different city, using locals of all ages to deliver a candid experience.
He hopes the magazine will erase beauty standards and make young queer men feel better about themselves. Cambell says when he was growing up he "felt like the ugliest guy in the world. Perhaps, it sounds overly dramatic, but I know I'm not the only one who feels inferior and judged."
Everyone is perfect the way they are. "We don't all look like models. In fact, we [should] love people as they are, and think they are beautiful in spite of their flaws."
When asked about his goals for Elska Magazine, Campbell said, "I know that Elska isn't Vogue or GQ or whatever; that's not what I'm aiming to replicate. Really, what I want is to build a family of Elska fans around the world who share our vision, who love to travel, who are interested in culture, who are free to be themselves."
Campbell worked as a flight attendant. And, when he would land in a new city, he would turn on Grindr and ask anyone within a 10-mile radius if they'd like to be photographed.
Elska Magazine has to be smart and sexy. The first issue was shot in Lviv, Ukraine, a country in midst of a war, and the photos reflect that conflict. He adds, "It felt almost disrespectful to capture lovely pictures and not mention what was lurking in the background. So, I started talking to the guys about what it’s like to live in Ukraine.”
The photography style focuses on shooting regular guys rather than stunning male models. And, to create intimacy, he includes their real stories.
Elska is unique in that the men in the photos often write their own stories, which are then edited and published; the editorial is as authentic as the men in the photos.
When an Elska guy can't contribute editorially, the team reports his story from their perspective, which creates an observant voice and teleports you to their local.
When you read Elska Magazine, "you feel like you’re there with the guys; walking with them in town or cuddled up with them on a sofa." It's like you're in an intimate setting and they're the most interesting person in the world.
You can pick up the print version of Elska Magazine all over London, or read each issue online.
These stories are truly unique, and could be a wondeful resource for closeted young men looking for help.
Elska Magazine is just getting started, and it brings a unique perspective to the world of queer men's publishing.
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