Looking for something?

Tap outside or press close

InspirationPhotography

Beautiful Boy: Sensitive project that allows a man to become a woman

Beautiful Boy is an ongoing project that began as a confession between two friends.

Written By:
Person with long brown hair lying on a yellow surface wearing a cream-coloured garment, gazing at the camera with a contemplative expression

On the subway one evening, New York photographer Lissa Rivera's friend shared that he had worn women’s clothing almost exclusively in college, but after graduation struggled to navigate a world that seemed both newly accepting and yet inherently reviling of male displays of femininity.

Lissa thought that photography could provide a space for him to experiment with his identity outside of isolation. She explains: "Taking the first pictures was an emotional experience. I connected with my friend’s vulnerability. I wanted to make sure that the images were not a compromise for either of us, and we engaged in many discussions. Both of us have long, fraught relationships with femininity that have fundamentally shaped who we are.

"Our desires were matched. They had the desire to see themselves and I felt driven to capture their exploration. A part of my own identity that had defied expression also began to emerge. As time went on, we realised that we had unexpectedly fallen in love. He became my romantic partner and collaborator."

Lissa wanted to make images without shame, to show her friend's femininity as strength: "I wanted to feel empowered as well, to have an intimate muse. When taking the photos I felt the same as when viewing a film where a director and actress share a deep connection to the fantasy captured. Although our emotional relationship is private and real, we perform a romanticism that is obsessive and decadent. We connect to images, films and records of women that we idolise and consume together."

Lissa received her BFA from Lesley University and MFA at the School of Visual Arts. She grew up near Rochester, NY, home of Eastman Kodak, where the Eastman House collection has continuously inspired her work. Her photography has been featured in several publications, including "25 Under 25 Up-and-Coming American Photographers" (PowerHouse Books), curated by Silvia Plachy. Discover more at lissarivera.com.

Person wearing a white swimming cap and red lipstick emerges from a blue pool, arms resting on terracotta brick poolside
Person with shoulder-length brown hair wearing red lace halterneck top and bold red lipstick, photographed in profile against a golden backdrop
A person in a beige sleeveless top and black tulle skirt stands in a classical hallway with white panelled doors, a marble bust on a pedestal and an ornate chandelier overhead.
Person wearing green sunglasses and black bikini top sits on a chair against a blue patterned backdrop, holding a woven brown clutch
Person with pale complexion wearing bright blue headscarf, black briefs and red lipstick, posing against textured peach-coloured background
Person with red-dyed hair and a red flower clip sits bare-shouldered against a gradient background lit with warm and cool colour tones
Person in black blazer and yellow-green trousers reclines against emerald fabric, holding a wooden comb and wearing a red glove
Person wearing black tailcoat, white shirt and top hat with white flower boutonnière, against red backdrop
Woman in profile submerged in a white bathtub against white subway-style tiles, wearing a pearl necklace with hair styled in a bun
Person in blue satin garment and white faux fur reclining on neutral fabric, gazing toward camera
Woman with brown hair reflected in circular mirror framed by gold with white feathered wings and pearl beads against dark blue background
Person with pale complexion wearing an elaborate flower crown with red roses, blue and white flowers and orange tassel, against a deep blue background, with dramatic red lipstick and theatrical makeup
Person with reddish-brown hair wearing a light blue shirt, lying on a red quilted surface and gazing upward with red lipstick
Person with brown wavy hair wearing red lipstick and a long pearl necklace, posing with hands framing face against draped cream fabric backdrop
Person with short black hair wearing a pale green sleeveless dress, holding an orange folded fan and wearing orange beaded bracelets, against a black and white striped background
Person with braided hair wearing an open black cardigan over bare chest against a burnt orange background, gazing to the side
Person with brown hair wearing red lipstick draped in white fabric, with their head bowed downward against a neutral background
Person lying prone on white background wearing pink lipstick, with clothing and tags visible in upper left corner
Woman in navy blue dress sitting at bathroom sink surrounded by cosmetics and skincare products, looking towards camera in mirror reflection
Share

Further Reading