Men Of “Manscapes” Calendar 2025 By John Bortolin
DNA: Are all the men in your calendar from around the Central Coast?
John Bortolin: I live in the Northern Rivers around the Byron Shire, New South Wales and most of the men I photograph are from this area. I enjoy discovering new, raw talent, particularly men who have never been photographed before. Being close to the Gold Coast, I also work with many guys from there and Brisbane. Some even make the effort to travel from Sydney for a shoot.
You get gorgeous men to get their gear off and get hard – do you have a very persuasive personality?
I’ve got the gift of the gab! The shoots are very professional. I build up trust and make the guys feel comfortable. I make sure to be very clear with the models that the shoots will involve full-frontal nudity, but I always leave it up to them how they want to represent themselves. Most guys want to look their best, so they naturally take care of the details themselves.
Why did you decide to make three versions of the calendar this year?
For the 2025 calendar, I did several photoshoots with the same models, so I ended up with a huge number of images to choose from. It was tough to decide! I selected three images of three different models, Dave, Brodie, and Vicktor for the covers. To make it even more fun, I put the options out on social media and let the public vote. All three covers were incredibly well received, so I thought, “Why not create three different calendars, each featuring one of the guys one the cover, and celebrate the 10th anniversary of Manscapes?” It was a big financial risk, wondering if all three would sell, but I’m glad I took the chance. It really paid off.
Tell us a little about the three cover boys this year.
Brodie is one of the nicest, most down-to-earth guys you’ll ever meet. He first approached me years ago, just as he was entering the army, but the timing wasn’t right. Fast forward five years, after he’d left the army, and he reached out again. This time, we collaborated, and together we created some truly magical shots. Brodie is a natural in front of the camera, the camera absolutely loves him, and he’s incredibly easy to work with. Our shoots are always a lot of fun.
Brodie has become a fan favorite and was featured on the cover in the 2023 calendar. While it was a bit of a risk using a model who’d already been on the cover just two years ago, it turned out to be the right call. With his cheeky smile and fresh, youthful look, the followers just can’t get enough of him.”
I met Dave through Instagram. He’d been commenting on my images and stories, and it was clear he was a fan of Manscapes. I’d been searching for a sexy, mature man to photograph, and when I came across his profile, I knew he was exactly what I’d been looking for. I reached out to him for a shoot, but Dave was a bit unsure of himself at first. He’s naturally shy and reserved.
After catching up for a drink while I was in Sydney, I reassured him that with those piercing blue eyes, that strong blue steel jawline, and his sexy chest hair, he absolutely had what it takes and then some. Dave flew up from Sydney over two weekends, and together we created some incredible images in stunning locations.”
As for Vicktor, I call him Vicktor The Boa Constrictor, and if you take a look at the calendar, you’ll see why! Vicktor is originally from Brazil and now works and lives in Australia with his partner. He first caught my attention on Instagram, and I was immediately struck by his beautiful chocolate skin, that big, gorgeous smile, and his incredible physique. I reached out to him, and I was thrilled when he replied with such enthusiasm.
Luckily, Vicktor lives in Brisbane, which isn’t too far away. While he wasn’t very experienced with modelling at first, he turned out to be a total natural in front of the camera. He doesn’t take a bad picture! We’ve done a few shoots together, and over time, we’ve become great friends. He’s a beautiful person, both inside and out.
Who buys the Manscapes calendar?
When I first started the business 10 years ago, the audience was primarily focused on men. Over time, though, it has balanced out, and now I’d say it’s about 60% male and 40% female. My calendar offers women the freedom to appreciate the beauty of a totally naked man including full frontal 365 days of the year.
Most of my sales come from Australia, but I’m also seeing steady growth in the USA and the UK. I’ve had some sales in France, Germany, the Czech Republic, and New Zealand as well.
How many years have you made the Manscapes calendar now?
Manscapes began in 2015 with the launch of the Manscapes Fine Art Coffee Table Book. I was incredibly proud of the book and the work I put into it. I’ve been photographing the male form since the mid-80s, so creating this book had been a long-time dream of mine. In 2016, I started the calendar, and I’ve released one every year since. I do have plans to produce more fine art coffee table books in the future.”
What do you do for the rest of the year?
I photograph men year-round, but I also work with restaurants, capturing food photography. Many men approach me to shoot them naked Manscapes-style, often for personal collections. Additionally, I photograph weddings, including same-sex weddings, and I have a great time working on those shoots.
Tell us about your connection to the AIDS Council of NSW and how this calendar benefits them.
When I first started Manscapes, I produced a fine art coffee table book featuring handsome men. One of the main models in the book sadly took his own life, and it deeply affected me, as I had never personally experienced suicide before. This tragic event led me to change the direction of Manscapes, shifting focus to men’s mental health. I wanted to create something that made men feel good about themselves through the photos I take.
I also donate a portion to charity, and I chose ACON because of the incredible work they do within the LGBTI community. We have an ACON office here in Lismore, and I’ve personally used their counsellors for mental health support. I was extremely impressed with the services they provided.”
These images have been cropped to NSFW versions. The images in the calendars are full-frontal, semi-erect nudes. Find the calendar at manscapes.com.au.
