2026 marks 11 years of Elska Magazine, an independent publication that explores the lives of gay men around the world through their personal stories and intimate photography. Their latest edition focused on the city of Chicago, and previous issues have covered areas like Berlin, Los Angeles, and Dublin.
It was originally started in 2015 by Liam Campbell, a photographer with an interest in platforming ordinary and diverse queer men, rather than only showcasing professional models. Campbell shared, “It’s strange to think that something I started almost accidentally has now been going for 11 years.”
He continued, “When I made that first issue in Lviv, Ukraine, I had no idea whether anyone would be interested in it. I didn’t even imagine I’d be doing it a year later, let alone eleven years and sixty issues later.”
Each edition features intimate photography of local queer men, providing a space for them to voice their experiences and struggles. Over the years, its popularity has grown significantly, with the Elska Instagram account reaching over 17,000 followers in 2025.
However, the account was unfortunately deleted by Meta, as Campbell explained, “It was devastating, but it also made me think about what Elska actually is. Ultimately, it isn’t an Instagram account. It’s the print books, the photographs, the stories, and the people who took part in them. Those things are still here.”
A new social media account has since been created, recently sharing a post saying: “Happy birthday to Elska!… Celebrate with us by taking 20% off everything we offer, from our print mags, e-mags, Ekstra e-zines, art prints, and annual subscriptions. Just use discount code UNARDDEG at elskamagazine.com”.
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Campbell concluded, “Eleven years is a very long time for any independent creative project, particularly one that has never had a large company or institution behind it. I’m proudest not of the number of issues, but of how many different people have allowed me into their lives and trusted me with their stories.”
To mark 11 years of Elska Magazine, check out their full catalogue on their website.
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