"In my mind, my own self-image, is the picture of Jennifer and some of the other girls I knew and admired back then. Girls I desperately wanted to be like. Wishing every day that I could be one of those awkward teenage girls instead of the awkward teenage boy I was pretending to be.” Lorelei, 2016
Years after I met her as a teenage boy named "Mac", I began the process of getting to know a woman named Lorelei.
GYRLE is an anecdotal observation into female gender expression.
Images from my personal archive paired with those of Lorelei’s new life, speak to our shared history while posing questions about the female archetype and our mutual experience with the idealistic pressures and rituals of being a woman.
With this work I hope to expand the way we perceive one another and reframe the idea of gender through our similarities rather than differences.
Image: Lorelei (Robert) and Jennifer
Lorelei, in need of treatment / 2013
Jennifer (age 10), imitating Cyndi Lauper
Lorelei, making cosmetic choices / 2012
Lorelei, reflecting / 2013
Lorelei, in the Florida sun / 2013
Jennifer (age 12), at a graduation party
Lorelei, at Payless Shoes / 2014
Lorelei, at the Salvation Army / 2014
Lorelei, in the backyard / 2016
Jennifer (age 11), relaxing in her bedroom
Lorelei, an artist’s model / 2016
Lorelei, in the garden with Sky / 2012
Lorelei, on the beach / 2013
Jennifer (age 12)
Lorelei, after a close shave / 2012
Lorelei, with Alex / 2014
Lorelei, during Fetish Night / 2014
Jennifer (age 14), on a hotel balcony
Lorelei, straight from the tap / 2016
Lorelei, as the season changes / 2012
Jennifer (age 17), dressed for senior prom
Lorelei, crowning Miss Trans New England / 2012
Lorelei, collecting shells / 2013
Lorelei, with her mother / 2013
Jennifer (age 6), before the recital
Lorelei, two-time pageant winner / 2012