There are men who love beards and sport them happily. They wear it as a style statement. It can also be a symbol of laziness or manliness. And women may or may not love them but recent surveys seem to suggest that they can't resist the charm! Last year, researchers from the University of Queensland, Australia decided to explore the role male facial hair played in relationships. Turns out, men with heavy stubble and full beards emerged as winners when it came to choosing long-term partners.

And then there are men taking their love for beards a notch higher. New Delhi-based photographer Saurabh Dua is not content with merely growing a beard, he wants bearded men to be clicked and framed.

Dua has photographed 45 men for his project 'Beard & Beautiful'. For more than a decade, Dua had been photographing only women since the start of his career. "My portfolio of work only includes women as my forte." What changed and led him to clicking men with beards and moustaches? We find out.

Goatee, stubble, short boxed. what triggered the project?

It all started with an Australian guy I met at Hard Rock Café, New Delhi. He was a traveller and in India for a short period. The moment I saw him I couldn't resist clicking his picture. The first word that came into my mind when I saw him was 'divine'! I requested him to come to my studio the next day so I could 'capture' him! He was kind enough to spare time for me, and there's been no looking back since. Now, people approach him for a shoot!

Other than a beard, what else do you look for in your muse?

Usually I've found that bearded men are unique and are free from the social taboos of Indian society. They are ready to face my camera as the inclination to create something different and cool is a part of their personality.

And do the men have to pay for the shoots?

No! In fact, I have a long queue of bearded men waiting for my response. There are approximately 200 to 250 people ready to get shot by me on any given weekend.

What does behind-the-scenes of such shoots look like?

A lot of fun! This has turned into one of the most memorable projects. I try and keep the atmosphere light while shooting and I'd like to collaborate with more artistic people with crazy stories and beautiful moments. It's interesting to hear many different stories.

Can you pick a favourite photograph of yours?

It will always be the first man I met at the club. It all started there. There was something about him that triggered the whole process.

Do you think a beard or a moustache is a mark of a gentleman?

Once you have a beard, you start feeling good about it. You can never imagine getting rid of it.

Any plans of bringing Beard & Beautiful to Dubai? We have good-looking, interesting, bearded men here too.

Dubai is a beautiful combination of East and West. I find people in Dubai well groomed. Both men and women take equally good care of themselves. I would love to bring the project to Dubai one day. The majority of subjects I've shot are Indian, but I'd love to take it to another level and take the shoot on a global platform after getting a sponsor. So far, it's worked mostly via referral and is getting viral because of social media.

If you were to do a similar shoot with women, what's the one physical feature you'd like to feature on?

To me, a woman is the most beautiful subject for any artist in this world. She is god's most beautiful creation. I am not attracted to the physical features of a woman, but a woman in totality, and that is exactly what helps me do what I'm best at in life. I would like to capture the souls and emotions that are hidden behind their faces in my photographs.

Check out the rest of his shots on saurabhdua.com

Source: Khaleej Times