"in my skin"

Contemporary Western society is sharply focused on achieving and maintaining physical ideals. This photographic series records psychological concerns of body image experienced by under 25s in the UK. The images produce a study examining the growing UK community of young people marginalised by perceived expectations and locate the social presence of these expectations. The methodology is environmental portraiture where portrait, space and mementos narrate the individual’s persona and way of life.

Three categories constitute this series. The first documents those who have had or are considering having cosmetic surgery intending to become ‘beautiful’. The second tranche documents the body dysmorphic illnesses, eating disorders and transformations of young people who have tried to conform to social pressures. The third documents the struggles of young transgender people living within bodies which they were born into but feel detached from. This socially anthropological project investigates how pressures to conform to dictated social norms are disseminated through diverse media outlets including television, magazines, and online social media.

• http://www.photomonitor.co.uk/2013/09/in...