ROBERT ANDY COOMBS

gay. disabled. photographer.

  • I get it. I’m not digestible to the general public — and neither is my artwork.

    I make work that confronts how society sees — or refuses to see — gay disabled men like me. My photographs are not here to inspire, to soften, or to play nice. They’re here to be real. Erotic. Unfiltered. Demanding.

  • In CripFag,

    I photograph myself: disabled, sexual, dominant, vulnerable. The camera doesn’t flinch — it lingers. These images challenge assumptions about care, desire, fetish, and the body. Not just representation, but resistance.

  • My street photography

    captures public intimacy from a low perspective — because that’s where I am. In a power wheelchair, I move through crowds at crotch height, surrounded by butts and bulges. As a gay man, I notice. I document. I don’t apologize for what turns me on.

  • My Polaroids

    are fast, physical, and dirty — like the moments they hold. Polaroids have a raunchy history in gay culture: no negatives, no trace, just pure touch. Mine carry fingerprints, skin oil, sometimes more. They’re keepsakes. Confessions. Flirtations frozen in time.

  • When I photograph men,

    men I’m attracted to — there’s a charge. The camera becomes part of that chemistry. They show off for me. I direct. We both perform. It’s a tension that’s erotic, playful, and deeply personal.

  • I don’t make work to be palatable.

    I make work because I have to — because I live in a world that doesn’t reflect me unless I put myself in the frame.

UPCOMING SHOWS

UPCOMING SHOWS

Queer Lens: A History of Photography

Jun 17–Sep 28, 2025

Since the mid-19th century, photography has served as a powerful tool for examining concepts of gender, sexuality, and self-expression. The immediacy and accessibility of the medium has played a transformative role in the gradual proliferation of homosocial, homoerotic, and homosexual imagery. Despite periods of severe homophobia, when many photographs depicting queer life were suppressed or destroyed, this exhibition brings together a variety of evidence to explore the medium’s profound role in shaping and affirming the vibrant tapestry of the LGBTQ+ community.

Let's Collab!

Modeling

If you’re down to be seen — really seen — let’s shoot. I work with people who aren’t afraid to show off, get intimate, and trust my vision. You bring the energy. I’ll bring the camera.

Commissions

Want something custom? I take on select portrait and conceptual commissions. If you have a vision (or want mine), let’s talk.

Prints & Licensing

Limited edition prints are available — including Polaroids and large-scale metallic works. Inquire for pricing, availability, or licensing info.

Exhibitions, Press & Speaking

Booking a show, feature, or talk? I collaborate with institutions, editors, and curators who value bold, unapologetic work. Hit me up with details.

Everything Else

Got another idea? Slide into my inbox. Just be clear — and bring something real.