Renowned photographer Spencer Tunick considers himself a bit of a vampire. “I don’t like fighting with the sun,” he says, speaking to Broadsheet from his studio in New York. “A rising sun means you’re rushing to capture a work before the sun hits the horizon.”

The contemporary artist is famous for capturing thousands of naked bodies in public locations around the world – including on the steps of the Sydney Opera House for a shoot he did for Mardi Gras. It often involves an early wake-up call, as Tunick likes to work before the sunlight creates shadows or glare, and he usually asks his volunteer models to pose in a few different positions.

“Early in the morning, people really zone into [the idea of] making art as opposed to thinking about other things,” he says. “It’s important to have an interesting background where the body can either create new meaning for the background temporarily, or the background can comment on the body.”

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For that iconic Opera House shoot, Tunick says his idea was to show how a successful society is one that treats its LGBTQI+ citizens with respect. “The base is filled with the most beautiful of all humans, holding up this incredibly ominous and important structure,” he says. “The base of a great society is acceptance, and it was also the base of the Opera House, visually.”

On the day, in March 2010, it was cloudy and a little nippy. Broadsheet national editor Sarah Norris recalls having an intimate hug with another participant as part of the experience. It didn’t end up in the final chosen picture, but it’s a memory she’ll never forget.

“There’s this equality that happens during my works, and I’m very lucky for that,” says Tunick. “It’s also a place where people can feel good about their bodies.

“They’re thinking about creating a shape or following instructions to move into a position – so it becomes about movement and shape, and the land as it relates to their skin … It’s definitely an equaliser.”

Tunick has been invited back to Sydney to create another iconic nude photo – this time to raise awareness for skin cancer. It’s a collaboration with charity organisation Skin Check Champions, and all participants will be asked to raise money for the charity, as well as undergo a skin check at a later date.

“I think you associate skin cancer not with a public square but with a beach, so to raise awareness to save lives, just go right to the source. Go right to the beach,” says Tunick, who scouted beach locations on his first visit to Sydney.

Tunick is aiming to involve around 2500 people of all body types. And the charity hopes to raise $250,000 to pilot a research project that will help pave the way for a national skin-check program.

“The cadence of the day will go pretty quickly, with quick, easy positions so people won’t be nude for that long,” says Tunick. “I always say, ‘Set two alarm clocks,’” he advises for anyone wanting to take part.

“It’s incredible when I can combine my vision with someone else’s, so I am completely honoured to be asked to come back and work with Australians. It’s a gift because everyone is so supportive, and in general people take something away from it besides the free photograph that we give to them. It’s an experience.”

Spencer Tunick’s photo shoot will take place at a beach location in Sydney on November 26 (or 27 if the weather is bad). Participants will receive a free print of the final work. Details and further instructions will be provided nearer the time. Register to participate at sofsc.com.au/spencertunick.