Nudes nominee

Ever since I was a child, I was taught that sexuality and spirituality did not mix. I grew up with Catholic parents in the Washington Heights section of New York City. Every Sunday we went to church and Sunday school. I’ve learned a great deal about religion. However, I’ve always felt something was missing. There was no celebration for what God had meticulously created. The creation in question was the human body. In my later years I’ve learned to trust my instincts and shed that fear of exploring the human body, not in a scientific sense but in the artistic way of seeing it. God crafted us in such a beautiful way and this vessel houses our soul. I believe the two do work in tandem and any contamination, whether from within or without could disrupt the flow of energy and communication with the Universe. Three years ago I went through a spiritual journey. I had to find myself and correct my energy and bring it to a level that made my life positive and worth enjoying. I had to learn how to not let negative vibrations pierce my vessel and damage my soul. Early this year I thought of In my later years I’ve learned to trust my instincts and shed that fear of exploring the human body, not in a scientific sense but in the artistic method. God crafted us in such a beautiful way. Three years ago I went through a spiritual journey. I had to find myself and correct my energy and bring it to a level that made my life positive and worth enjoying. Early this year I thought of sharing my spiritual enlightenment with the birth of my project called Chakralicous. It is based on the ancient belief of the 7 Chakra points that exist in our body. I decided to make the series as much a journey every time I would ask a muse to pose for me. I surrounded them with lights and fire and let our combined energy speak to the camera. It is surreal to move around in the dark with lights and flashlights in my hand and painting my muse with one of the biggest elements our beautiful God has graced us with…Light. Let’s celebrate the vessels we were blessed with and become one with our Earth, our bodies and our Universe.

Jose Pagan is a New York-based fine art and fashion photographer known for his eclectic and creative vision. A product of the culturally rich landscape of Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood, Pagan has been using his dynamic talent to take the market by storm. His work has graced the pages of both high fashion and niche editorial publications around the world including ELLE Brazil, PLUS Model Magazine, Designer Original and Music Insider Magazines. Jose has exhibited in the NCA World Vision exhibition at the New York State building in Manhattan with his Chakralicious series in February of 2016. He has had 4 exhibits for The X Collective located in the Bronx. In 2014 he has had his Blacklight series on display at the Kalahari gallery in Brooklyn, NY. He has also had had his work on display at the famed New York City restaurant Billie's Black in Harlem in 2014 and 2015.