Denny in Black

JEFFREY HORVITZ CALLS HIMSELF A PORTRAITIST WHICH BASICALLY MEANS HE PHOTOGRAPHS PEOPLE. HE GETS PAID FOR THAT BUT EVEN IF HE WOULDN’T HE WOULD STILL DO IT. SIMPLY BECAUSE HE LOVES IT. AND THAT PASSION SHOWS IN HIS WORK AND IN HIS ATTITUDE. BECAUSE BESIDES MAKING BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS, JEFFREY IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT PLAYER IN GAY EMANCIPATION.

Among other things Portlland,OR-based photographer Jeffrey Horvitz is know for his ongoing Queer Apertude Project. For his Q.A.Project Jeffrey shoots LGTB folks and their allies, striving to show their diversity and commonality with some theatricality thrown in. Queer Apertude started as a series produced for a Portland-based LGBT publication but has since then grown into something much bigger, and has enjoyed exhibitions in Portland, Vancouver, Seattle and San Francisco.

“Through the Queer Aperture project I’ve met all kinds of people who don't define themselves as either all gay or all straight, but rather are all over the spectrum,” says Jeffrey Horvitz. “That’s why one of the most important aspects of Queer Aperture is its allies. My straight friends and family, who don't view being gay as out of the norm, has made it quite a bit easier to be who I am.”

Jeffrey Horvitz’ Queer Apertude Project contains a large body of work, grouped in several galleries. On his Q.A.Project website, the series are recognized under the titles Pride, Stand Out, LGTB Athletes, Meditation, Bunny, Pink Chair, Vitality and Statuary. All names that in one way or the other have an association with gay lifestyle and image. One of the models Jeffrey worked with for several galleries is Denny Richard. Denny can be found in both Vitality and the Pink Chair project, and has now also been immortalized by Jeffrey in a series focused entirely on him alone. Denny poses for Jeffrey dressed in only a small black short and a generous black feather jacket in a setting that is simple and neutral, allowing Denny to be the only point of focus in this set. The effect is stunning. A strong man with an apparent sexuality that transforms himself into a birdlike creature. Almost if saying that nothing is what it seems at first glance.

Besides his Q.A.Project, Jeffrey Horvitz also occupies himself with other assignments, varying from business promo to events, to headshots, body shots, fashion and personal commissioned work. And seeing his work it is obvious he does everything with a similar passion and love for the art. But I think it is safe to say that his heart lies truly in his Queer Apertude Project and Jeffrey hopes to see his work for this unique project to be published in book form. When that happens, for sure Denny in Black has to be part of it. –BM-

JEFFREY HORVITZ | BEAUTIFULMAG