Ash

Ash (Ashish) is 25 and resides in Bratislava, having relocated from southern India. He studied mechanical engineering in eastern Slovakia (Kosice), though his original aspiration was to pursue fashion studies in France, a dream sidetracked by a compromise with his parents. Nevertheless, after traveling Europe and spending five years as a chef, Ash’s entrepreneurial spirit and a willingness to explore beyond traditional pressures and norms led him to Bratislava, where he works as a music video dancer, nightclub performer, and personal trainer specializing in calisthenics.

His interests span a wide array, from pushing his physical limits through street football and calisthenics to videography and street photography. His fashion sense leans towards the colorful and alternative, mirroring his openness on topics like nudity, gender identity, and societal norms. Despite identifying as straight, his engagement with activities often seen as feminine has led to occasional mislabeling, which he confidently shrugs off. Slovakia is still very unicultural, and Ash will stand out no matter what he does, so he just embraces it.

Ash’s introduction to nude photography was through his roommate, and a mutual friend of ours, Roderik. During the photoshoot, Ash’s enthusiasm and performance were extraordinary. You can really tell he’s into it and that he’s giving it his all. Later on, as he reflected on the experience, he said he learned a lot about photography and posing, and most importantly, it helped him learn more about himself and boosted his self-confidence in the process.