About "Do I Measure Up?..."

Between 1997 and 2000, I traveled the United States photographing the secretive world of professional and amateur body builders, with full press and backstage privileges at all events. The body builders trusted me and we became friends. In this atmosphere of trust, we had intimate conversations and made nude images. Many told me their stories of struggles to look and be perfect since childhood and confessed awareness that they would never "measure up". Their built bodies become both manifestations of the strength they seek and masks to hide the weaknesses they feel inside. These images seek to reveal what lies behind the mask. They give the body builders the license to acknowledge their inner lives and bring into focus the blurring between the public and private face. Stephanie's Wedding (shown right) was acquired by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) for its permanent collection and can be seen on SFMOMA's Collection Access Online. Works from this series of approximately 3000 images are available for viewing on this site and for exhibition. More are available on request.

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