The Natural Bush

Bob noticed the garage light before he even reached the back door. Inside, John was stretched out on the concrete beside the motorcycle, arms folded behind his head like he’d drifted off mid-thought. The single work light above the bench cast long shadows across him.

Bob paused in the doorway, camera already in his hand.

Through the viewfinder the scene felt almost staged: the low angle, the bike looming above him, John’s dark hair and the quiet rise and fall of his chest as he rested there on the floor. Bob crouched lower and took the shot.

The shutter clicked.

John didn’t move.

Then, without opening his eyes, he murmured,
“Give me a minute. Then I’ll give you the shot you really want.”

Image 1 - John Apache

My earliest memories of noticing a man’s “bush” go back to the local swimming hole, the Palisades, where cut-off shorts rode low on sunburned hips as guys climbed out of the water. Manscaping wasn’t a thing yet, so any boy past fourteen was showing a hint of dark hair above the waistband. The men in my town were modest, so that small glimpse felt charged — the kind of thing you knew you weren’t supposed to stare at, which of course made it impossible not to notice. I loved swimming at the Palisades. I suppose now we know why.

Image 2 - Paul Brandt

Image 3 - Vic DeMarco

Image 4 - Bob Harlem

Image 5 - Bart Horne

Image 6 - Mark Miller

Image 7 - Tony Nero

Image 8 - Michael O'Sean

Image 9 - Joe Porcelli

Image 10 - David White

Feedback?

Which do you prefer, trimmed or natural? Please leave a comment with any stories you have about the models in this lineup and/or any stories you have about au naturale men of past generations.