PORT
FOLio
BY Rhys Thirtle
PHOTOGRAPHY IS OUR
OBSESSSION
WITH EXISTENCE
PROOF THAT WE LIVED, LOVED, AND A REFUSal to DISAPPEAR.
LEAther Semiotics
This portrait series reimagines leather and kink through a queer semiotic lens. Inspired by Hal Fischer, each subject is lit in film noir style and paired with a personal text, turning fetish objects into symbols of intimacy, resistance, and identity.
Dungeon to Daylight
This dual-format series traces MSM Kink and Fetish culture from the 1980s to today. One format presents a symbolic tapestry of activism and identity; the other—using the Smalioff effect—layers red, green, and blue images per decade, shifting with light to reveal evolving narratives. Together, they confront stigma and celebrate queer resilience.
QUEER EDEN
This gallery reimagines the Eden narrative through a queer lens, offering a powerful critique of queer erasure and bias. Through layered power dynamics and striking imagery, it challenges traditional interpretations and opens space for more inclusive, subversive perspectives.
General Gallery
This collection features photographs taken outside of formal projects, including personal moments, event documentation, and portraits of friends. Captured across various times and spaces, these images reflect my ongoing engagement with community, identity, and storytelling. They serve as a visual diary, spontaneous, intimate, and often experimental,l allowing me to explore new techniques, connect with people, and remain creatively active beyond structured series.
