The Lviv edition is the first in a planned series of editions for gay men who seek an authentic view of the homosexual experience from around the world.Įach issue will be shot in a different city with local boys and local stories, celebrating the beauty of its subjects’ imperfections. The stories accompanying the photographs of Lviv’s men add depth and intimacy to the experience, and readers get real insight into the models.Įach subject was asked to write a short, personal piece of text to provide a glimpse into their lives – either in Ukranian (translated for the final issue) or in their practiced English. “In the end we found an amazing cross-section of men through personal connections – and this gave the finished issue exactly the authenticity we wanted.”
“A couple of guys we met started talking, and they introduced us to more and more friends who were interested in taking part.” The creative force behind Elska, Campbell said the models for the shoot were tracked down via a German dating site that was popular within Lviv. “The people are also beautiful – even the police look as though they’ve stepped off a catwalk – it was hard not to invite everyone to step in front of my camera.”
“The buildings look old because they are old, with a captivating worn-in beauty. “It’s a ridiculously beautiful place, but the best part is that the city doesn’t feel reconstructed or touched-up,” Campbell said. Editor and photographer of Elska Liam Campbell said that Ukraine, and particularly Lviv, was chosen for the first edition of Elska because it is Ukraine’s cultural capital.