On Display In Portland: The Art Of Beautiful Beards

A wise woman -- I think it was the Millionaire Matchmaker (or maybe it was my sister) -- once said that men hide their insecurities behind facial hair. Well, that's just one theory. Other men see beards as an outlet for creativity. Every few years, such men from around the world congregate and compete at the World Beard and Mustache Contest.

toggle caption Dave Mead

In 2009, photographer Dave Mead traveled to the competition being held in Anchorage, Alaska. What resulted is a portrait series that has since traveled the globe and is now at Portland's Land Gallery through February. See more beards, if you're so inclined, on his site.