ARTIST BIO
Nick Karras is the photographer and the author of Petals, the break-though book presenting stunningly beautiful images of vulvas. Nick was born and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin. After extensive travel, he settled in San Diego, California where he built a successful business as a commercial photographer. Early on, Karras became enamored by the unique capacity of the camera to explore the nature and essence of human sexuality.
Nick is also a teacher. His Doctorate degree in Sexology was awarded by the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (IASHS) in San Francisco. Aside from teaching photographic skills at various Lifestyle conventions and festivals, he has been a featured speaker and workshop leader at SSSS (The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality) and ASEP (Association of Sexual Energy Professionals).
His investigation into taboo sexual subjects has allowed him to experience the basic nature of many intimacy problems, giving him invaluable knowledge which helps him to continue to touch lives through phototherapy and coaching.
PETALS PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS
"Not too clinical, not too casual, not too graphic, this documentary film is a highly accessible, uplifting, insightful, and healing experience."
Alix Bacon, certified sexual health educator & radio host, Vancouver B.C.
"You can't mistake the loving attention that went into the making of Petals, a form of goddess worship."
Robert Amos, Victoria Times Colonist art critic
"Petals is a wonderful contribution to the appreciation of our precious sexuality. And are these vulvas gorgeous! They range from tidy to voluptuous, from art deco to baroque. The women's words are moving, funny, and thought-provoking."
Marty Klein, Ph.D., sex educator and author of America's War On Sex
"After four decades of encouraging women to appreciate the beautiful form, powerful function and orgasmic pleasure inherent in their genitals, I was more than pleased to see Nick's book. Petals is a joyful journey through a vulva garden of delights."
Betty Dodson Ph.D., artist and author of Orgasms For Two
"I'm almost speechless. Just the fact that someone has done this is amazing. The first to show the female genitalia as beautiful was Betty Dodson. I've made attempts at it myself. But Karras is by far the master."
R.C. Horsch, erotic artist of Eroto - To The Purient Interest
"Nick Karras has captured the intimacy that every lover wishes to experience. Use this book as a sacred means to bring beauty, joy, and passion into your life."
Ina Mlekush, teacher of spiritual sexuality, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist
"Your film is a wonderful piece of work, and a major contribution to women's health (and in mental health)"
Helen Gordon, Assistant Clinical Professor, Duke School of Nursing
"As a sexual medicine physician/urologist, it is truly important to have PETALS as a tool to use to show my patients the variety in anatomic features of the female genitalia. Nick's work is a highly valuable contribution for the field of sexual medicine. The reaction of my female patients are exceptionally positive and I strongly recommend PETALS book and video."
Joanna Beate Korda, M.D., Sexual Medicine Physician and Urologist
"Your documentary will be a valuable asset for clinicians, educators and the general population - both female and male. I certainly will be using it in my practice and recommending it to my colleagues and students."
Joan Sughrue, MEd, BSN, RN, AASECT Certified Diplomate of Sex Therapy
PETALS is a valuable resource for classes in human sexuality, women's studies, and psychology classes. This video empowers women to love their vulvas. PETALS would be appropriate for use with high school and college students."
Pat Tuckett, Ph.D., Professor, San Diego State University
PETALS PERSONAL REVIEWS
Why didn't people tell me about this before I had my labia plasti? I used to really hate the appearance of my inner lips. I was delighted when I originally heard about the labia plasti, so I jumped on it. Yes, they are smaller now and I was pretty happy about it. When I saw this book at my friend's house, I was astonished. This might sound ridiculous, but I really never knew how almost everyone had somewhat large inner lips. After looking at the pictures, I now feel like a circumcised male...it was beautiful as is. It's too late for me, but I hope this book gets to the hands of women around the world who think that having a full labia is not pretty!"
Stacy, California
"Kudos, Nick. As funny as it may sound, I didn't even know that I didn't like my vulva until my friend showed me your book and the DVD. But then, it dawned on me that I haven't seen my vulva since I was a teenager. I remembered looking at it and thinking that it was yucky and gross looking. Of course I had trouble receiving oral sex...or having intimacy in anything but the dark. The more I looked at the book, the more I realized that vulva is beautiful. Wow! What a transformation! I now am proud of my vulva, and I love it! I am now so empowered about my body that nobody can take advantage of me. My sex life has improved like I couldn't have imagined, and people keep asking me what's my secret! I would have to say that your book and DVD is a huge part of my transformation and empowerment process. Thank you. "
Dia, Seattle
"Thank you so much for reaffirming my deep-rooted sense that something was very, very wrong with pornographic photography, and pornography in general. Your "humanistic" photography of adoration almost makes me want to cry.
I was sexually fondled as a young girl by my father. In thinking of my vulva and its associated parts, I always felt like it was something "in danger". Like it was something "bad" that I constantly had to fight to protect. I think I felt like someone always wanted to take it away from me, steal it, perhaps, and just do something very bad to it. I don't think I've ever written about this, and it causes me pain now, although the kind of pain that results in relief and freedom.
With the encouragement of my first partner, I have only in the last year or so started to look at my vulva in the mirror with any kind of true intent. I have tried to see it as an integral part of my beauty as a whole person. It makes me so emotional. I've gone from looking at my vulva as something alien, to something of great power and miracles.
In looking at some of the pictures on your Web site, and at other similar pictures, Yesterday, on a whim, I decided to try it. ... and I understand now! It's so simple! If you want to see your "flower" better, you should plant it in a "non-shady" spot and make sure to clear away any "weeds" that might be obstructing the view! And oh my!...all the "petals" are more beautiful than I ever knew! I hope that when a women does this it is because she herself feels like it will give her a better sense of her innate womanly strengths and virtues. Thank you SO much, and best wishes with your book and with your documentary film."
Marie, NYC
Nick Karras is the photographer and the author of Petals, the break-though book presenting stunningly beautiful images of vulvas. Nick was born and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin. After extensive travel, he settled in San Diego, California where he built a successful business as a commercial photographer. Early on, Karras became enamored by the unique capacity of the camera to explore the nature and essence of human sexuality.
Nick is also a teacher. His Doctorate degree in Sexology was awarded by the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (IASHS) in San Francisco. Aside from teaching photographic skills at various Lifestyle conventions and festivals, he has been a featured speaker and workshop leader at SSSS (The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality) and ASEP (Association of Sexual Energy Professionals).
His investigation into taboo sexual subjects has allowed him to experience the basic nature of many intimacy problems, giving him invaluable knowledge which helps him to continue to touch lives through phototherapy and coaching.
PETALS PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS
"Not too clinical, not too casual, not too graphic, this documentary film is a highly accessible, uplifting, insightful, and healing experience."
Alix Bacon, certified sexual health educator & radio host, Vancouver B.C.
"You can't mistake the loving attention that went into the making of Petals, a form of goddess worship."
Robert Amos, Victoria Times Colonist art critic
"Petals is a wonderful contribution to the appreciation of our precious sexuality. And are these vulvas gorgeous! They range from tidy to voluptuous, from art deco to baroque. The women's words are moving, funny, and thought-provoking."
Marty Klein, Ph.D., sex educator and author of America's War On Sex
"After four decades of encouraging women to appreciate the beautiful form, powerful function and orgasmic pleasure inherent in their genitals, I was more than pleased to see Nick's book. Petals is a joyful journey through a vulva garden of delights."
Betty Dodson Ph.D., artist and author of Orgasms For Two
"I'm almost speechless. Just the fact that someone has done this is amazing. The first to show the female genitalia as beautiful was Betty Dodson. I've made attempts at it myself. But Karras is by far the master."
R.C. Horsch, erotic artist of Eroto - To The Purient Interest
"Nick Karras has captured the intimacy that every lover wishes to experience. Use this book as a sacred means to bring beauty, joy, and passion into your life."
Ina Mlekush, teacher of spiritual sexuality, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist
"Your film is a wonderful piece of work, and a major contribution to women's health (and in mental health)"
Helen Gordon, Assistant Clinical Professor, Duke School of Nursing
"As a sexual medicine physician/urologist, it is truly important to have PETALS as a tool to use to show my patients the variety in anatomic features of the female genitalia. Nick's work is a highly valuable contribution for the field of sexual medicine. The reaction of my female patients are exceptionally positive and I strongly recommend PETALS book and video."
Joanna Beate Korda, M.D., Sexual Medicine Physician and Urologist
"Your documentary will be a valuable asset for clinicians, educators and the general population - both female and male. I certainly will be using it in my practice and recommending it to my colleagues and students."
Joan Sughrue, MEd, BSN, RN, AASECT Certified Diplomate of Sex Therapy
PETALS is a valuable resource for classes in human sexuality, women's studies, and psychology classes. This video empowers women to love their vulvas. PETALS would be appropriate for use with high school and college students."
Pat Tuckett, Ph.D., Professor, San Diego State University
PETALS PERSONAL REVIEWS
Why didn't people tell me about this before I had my labia plasti? I used to really hate the appearance of my inner lips. I was delighted when I originally heard about the labia plasti, so I jumped on it. Yes, they are smaller now and I was pretty happy about it. When I saw this book at my friend's house, I was astonished. This might sound ridiculous, but I really never knew how almost everyone had somewhat large inner lips. After looking at the pictures, I now feel like a circumcised male...it was beautiful as is. It's too late for me, but I hope this book gets to the hands of women around the world who think that having a full labia is not pretty!"
Stacy, California
"Kudos, Nick. As funny as it may sound, I didn't even know that I didn't like my vulva until my friend showed me your book and the DVD. But then, it dawned on me that I haven't seen my vulva since I was a teenager. I remembered looking at it and thinking that it was yucky and gross looking. Of course I had trouble receiving oral sex...or having intimacy in anything but the dark. The more I looked at the book, the more I realized that vulva is beautiful. Wow! What a transformation! I now am proud of my vulva, and I love it! I am now so empowered about my body that nobody can take advantage of me. My sex life has improved like I couldn't have imagined, and people keep asking me what's my secret! I would have to say that your book and DVD is a huge part of my transformation and empowerment process. Thank you. "
Dia, Seattle
"Thank you so much for reaffirming my deep-rooted sense that something was very, very wrong with pornographic photography, and pornography in general. Your "humanistic" photography of adoration almost makes me want to cry.
I was sexually fondled as a young girl by my father. In thinking of my vulva and its associated parts, I always felt like it was something "in danger". Like it was something "bad" that I constantly had to fight to protect. I think I felt like someone always wanted to take it away from me, steal it, perhaps, and just do something very bad to it. I don't think I've ever written about this, and it causes me pain now, although the kind of pain that results in relief and freedom.
With the encouragement of my first partner, I have only in the last year or so started to look at my vulva in the mirror with any kind of true intent. I have tried to see it as an integral part of my beauty as a whole person. It makes me so emotional. I've gone from looking at my vulva as something alien, to something of great power and miracles.
In looking at some of the pictures on your Web site, and at other similar pictures, Yesterday, on a whim, I decided to try it. ... and I understand now! It's so simple! If you want to see your "flower" better, you should plant it in a "non-shady" spot and make sure to clear away any "weeds" that might be obstructing the view! And oh my!...all the "petals" are more beautiful than I ever knew! I hope that when a women does this it is because she herself feels like it will give her a better sense of her innate womanly strengths and virtues. Thank you SO much, and best wishes with your book and with your documentary film."
Marie, NYC