About Elska Chicago (Illinois):
Welcome to the 60th issue of Elska, made in Chicago. After years of requests from our readers, we've finally arrived in one of America's most iconic cities. As always, we've explored it the Elska way — through intimate photography and honest personal stories from a diverse group of queer Chicagoans.
We chose to make this issue in the extremes of winter, during a blisteringly cold and windy week. This is the Chicago that we felt would be its most iconic version, or maybe its most inspiring, or maybe we just wanted the warmth to come from its local men. Each of these men were photographed out in the elements (wrapped up warm) as well as in their homes (less wrapped, including nude), delivering a most intimate and genuine portrayal.
The photography is accompanied by a selection of stories, most written by the subjects themselves and a few by Elska chief photographer Liam Campbell. While the style of photography in Elska is incredibly honest, the stories are even more honest, delivering the kind of vulnerability that no project but Elska gets close to achieving. It's just one more element that makes this publication special, and this is an especially special issue.
Elska Chicago also features loads of film photography, delivering a unique and natural analogue aesthetic. Films used for this issue include: Harman Phoenix II and Kodak Tri-X 400.
Elska Chicago features ten chapters and the following elskans: Curtis Willvala, Rees Willvala, Noe M, Peter Miles, Mark M, Dylan Blake, Timmy S, Jay Nguyen, and Mark R.
