"In my skin": Girls and boys after plastics and appearance changes

EVERY DAY PHOTOGRAPHERS AROUND THE WORLD looking for new ways to tell stories or to capture what we previously did not notice. We choose interesting photo projects and ask their authors what they wanted to say. This week we are publishing a series of "In My Skin" by photographer Michel Sank, for whom she shot girls and young men from 16 to 25 years old, who have done plastic operations to correct their appearance, plan to make them or modify their body in other available ways.

I have a professional photographic education - I received a bachelor's degree in fine arts in South Africa, and then a master's degree in the UK. I filmed this entire series in Britain - it is dedicated to young people who have problems with the perception of their appearance. First of all, it is those who turn to plastic surgeries in order to change the outlines of their face and body and bring them into line with their personal ideas about beauty. I was repelled by the idea of removing those who did or plan to do plastic, but then I was interested in the topics of transgenderness and eating disorders, also related to the perception of my body and beauty.

I consider the problem of perception of corporeality to be very important - I am aware of how the pressure of media is growing on people, how ideas of “ideal appearance” are implanted and the misconception that beauty is necessary to be accepted by society. What worries me most is that people are faced with this from a young age and this affects their self-esteem, health, and perception of their role in life. I found some of my heroes through acquaintances, but in general I searched through specialized groups dedicated to this problem. It was easy to shoot - it all depends on your ability and desire to work with the person, and I was very intrigued and disturbed by their stories.

As a rule, I do not shoot heroes in a studio or a room, but I deliberately conducted this shooting in a confined space to emphasize the intimacy, the chamber nature of what is happening. I wanted the details of the interiors to serve as certain metaphors, convey the features characteristic of my characters and their way of life.