Noted as a trailblazing figure, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery, leaving his humble hometown behind to establish a new life in a modest Manhattan apartment, which he affectionately dubbed "Les Folies des Hommes". His early career was marked by a bold foray into the world of drag shows and male dancing in the vibrant nightlife of New York City, with a stint at the infamous Club 82.
His artistic inclinations soon led him to pursue a degree at Parsons school of design, where he honed his skills in window-dressing, costume design, and freelance photography. His photographic talents were subsequently showcased in a range of Physique magazines, including The Young Physique, Muscleboy, Demi-Gods, and Muscle Teens, between 1963 and 1967.
In addition to his photographic pursuits, he also collaborated with the Carpezioshoes company, creating two short films to advertise their models. It was during this period that he met Robert, a photomodel who would later become a significant figure in his life, and whom he affectionately referred to as Bobby Kendall. The two shared a living arrangement during the filming of Pink Narcissus (1971),which took place from 1964 to 1969.
Despite his significant contributions to the film, he was left disheartened by the fact that he had limited control over the editing and sound design, and that the original storyboard was destroyed. This disappointment led him to begin work on a new project inspired by Jean Genet's play The Balcony, which unfortunately never came to fruition.
