Nico Daniels

The New American Man is a print series that dissects how masculine identity is shaped, performed, and defined across regional divide. Photographed within New York and Texas, Daniels’ portraits reflect the evolving identity of the contemporary man within contrasting socio-political environments. Photographing at sites defined by conservative masculine tradition in rural Texas-such as the A&M University bonfire-Daniels contrasts these representations with fluid expressions of masculinity found within New York City nightlife and public spaces. Documenting youth culture in two distinct, polarizing regions, the series explores how identity is both a reflection of and a response to its environment. 

Nico Daniels is a New York City-based studio photographer from Houston, Texas.