Sinning With a Purpose

Alejandro Caspe is perfectly aware that the lustful thoughts engendered by the sight of a nude male body bears no relation to a child's innocence.

Yet when the 34-year-old photographer decided to use his talents to help children living with HIV-AIDS by producing a calendar of his work, there was no question about the title he would you use for the project 14 Pecados ("14 Sins").

"The name of the calendar, "14 Pecados" was done as a play on words," said Caspe in Spanish. "The title needed to manipulate the frivolity of people; attract their attention."

The black and white, 14-month 2009 calendar sensually features male models in a myriad of environments.

"My emphasis has always been the corporal language," said Caspe, who was inspired by his sister, a communications student, to take up photography almost 18 years ago. "I was interested in expressing the emotional part of the human being through the corporal language; the power of creating a concept that could explore the gamut of emotions and sentiments of each person."

Caspe says he enjoys capturing the beauty of all males, not just sculpture-bodied men. He daringly exemplifies his knack for finding beauty with a calendar photograph of a man laid out on rocks that tastefully resembles a crucified Christ.

"Many people have the idea that a man has to have a specific body type," said Caspe of Tijuana, Mexico. "Any body type or face can transmit beauty or sensuality."

A significant portion of the proceeds from the sale of "14 Pecados" will go to benefit Eunime, a non-profit organization that aids children living with HIV/AIDS in Tijuana, Mexico. The idea came from a friend, Carlo Corro, who told him about Eunime after Caspe expressed a desire to do something for the children in that desperately poor city. The organization's director promptly accepted the offer.

"I was interested in helping the children," Caspe said. "There isn't much support [in Mexico] for children (living with HIV-AIDS)."

He is hoping to raise at least $12,000 from the sale of about 800 calendars, of which 70 percent of the proceeds will go to the nonprofit.

He realizes that his photography style doesn't quite convey the topic of children living with HIV-AIDS, but he makes no apologies.

"I'm not going to shoot landscapes or babies because it's not the work that I do," Caspe said. "I know that semi-naked men clash with the subjects who are being helped by the fundraising, but I wanted to achieve the concept of the calendar in the milieu in which I work."

For him it's about the end result. And, the end result is helping a group of people who often are forgotten in Mexico.

"No one is exempt from that ailment," he said. "Even if someone doesn't have HIV/AIDS it is important to lend a helping hand."

"14 Pecados" sells for $15, plus $ 7 for shipping & handling and is available for purchase online.

For additional information visit www.alejandrocaspe.com or www.eunime.org