Rodro

Rodro, 18, comes from a small town in south-western Slovakia. He’s not in school at the moment and is currently unemployed, picking up various casual gigs when they come along.

I met him through a group of friends—he immediately stood out with his seductive looks and that playful boyish charm. He used to play football but has shifted his focus almost entirely to boxing now. There’s something distinctly sweet and fun-loving about him, a cheerful spark that sets him apart from some of the more serious-looking guys I photograph. On the surface he carries a bit of that “bad boy” edge, yet once you talk to him it quickly fades: he’s warm, conversational, genuinely friendly, quick with a good sense of humor, and just pleasant company all around.

Rodro seems happy and confident in his own skin, though he’s mentioned wishing he had bigger muscles. He enjoys being photographed and is naturally photogenic—very open-minded and relaxed in front of the camera. We’ve already done several photoshoots together, and he’s been remarkably comfortable and fun to work with from the start: at ease, playful, fully present. When someone brings that kind of spontaneity and excitement to the process, I don’t hold back. We plan to keep going.