What’s surprising is that these aren’t paid models but volunteers who, having heard of Gescheidt’s Tree Spirit Project, started in 2003, now flock to his photography shoots. The models are people like Gescheidt himself, people who feel more peaceful and alive in the presence of trees. "In and around trees once again, many feel they are a part of something bigger as people often do at the ocean or under the night sky," he explains.

click here to view panoramic image

Gescheidt describes Tree Spirit Project as an expression of his lifelong, passionate love affair with trees and the natural world. It all began when he was hiking in Marin County, northern California, and happened upon a 300-year old live oak “with massive, twisted, ancient branches filling the sky”. This “Grandmother Tree” inspired him to photograph the “awe and openheartedness” he felt in her presence. "I instinctively wanted to photograph it," Gescheidt said, "but was concerned that a simple photograph wouldn't convey a sense of its scale and grandeur.

How, then, did he move on to place naked people in his trees? For many reasons, he explains: “Scale; to evoke a timeless quality without the cultural cues of clothing; and especially to depict a vulnerability and intimacy between humans and nature that I feel myself when I’m with trees.”

Using nudes definitely works to make the pieces timeless. "You can't tell when they were taken because there's no fashion style that would 'date' it. Also, when people are naked, they act different. They're more present and aware."

“I consider myself fortunate that these images also move other people, apparently reminding and inspiring them to feel and enjoy their own personal connection to trees and other living creatures we humans are dependent upon for our very survival.”

Bert Viesta produced the accompanying panorama from Jack Gescheidt’s original photography, with his full permission.

Visit Gescheidt’s Tree Spirit Project online.