Since the publication of my monograph “Eleven Years,” I found that most of what I wanted to say in this self-portrait series had been said, and I was interested in taking a break from the intensity of looking at my own body. A physical transformation became the underlying theme of my self-portraiture series, which is what lead me away from myself. I began to make photographs of both female and male body builders whose identities are defined through the physical form of their bodies. Competitions are where I go to meet these women and men though I am not interested in photographing on stage, rather in environments surrounding the venue that can isolate the individual. In order to be competitive, these women must posses a certain type of subscribed glamor: tanned bodies, bedazzled bikini’s, stripper heels, a tons of make up and jewels, leaving little to no room for individuality. I am amazed in the way that these women and men openly subject themselves as an object to be admired and sought after on stage. I am interested in examining this sub-cultures insecurities and psychologies, I cannot understand there intentions, but am curious to explore ones relationship to their own body, the role of beauty, narcissism, and what motivates this form of expression and scrutiny.
