David M

David, at 18, juggles life with the energy of a young go-getter, balancing between his studies at a tech and building trades high school near Bratislava and the hustle of various part-time jobs, not to mention helping out at his family’s business. Despite his busy schedule, he always finds time to stay active, having moved from playing European football and water polo to boxing and regular gym workouts. His weekends are all about getting back to nature, hiking or chilling at a cottage with friends, though he claims to be an introvert, something I find hard to believe given how chatty and friendly he is.

I first spotted David when grabbing a quick meal at a food court; his lively spirit stood out in the crowd. We started bumping into each other more at the gym, where our casual talks turned into a friendship. Last year, we did a photoshoot, and though he was a bit shy at first, David was naturally photogenic and did not hesitate to take off his shirt. More recently, when we met up for coffee to discuss another potential photoshoot, he surprised me by suggesting he was okay with posing nude. Even though I photograph nudes for a living, sometimes the topic still catches me off-guard due to its rarity. David, with his laid-back, grounded vibe, always manages to surprise, showing a maturity and open-mindedness that’s unexpected for his age.