Eden sits with her childhood dolls in her old room in Lancaster, VA.
Mexico City-based photographer Alicia Vera’s series ‘Eden’ is an intimate look at the life of a 21-year-old sex worker in San Francisco.
The photographer originally started her series to explore women’s rights and sexual identity, but it became a documentation of one woman’s experiences.
The two met three years ago when Vera was working on a project about strippers in the city, and soon formed a close bond.
According to Vera, Eden had moved to San Francisco to realize her dream of becoming an exotic dancer. However, working in a strip club meant she gradually fell into prostitution under the wing of an older dancer and prostitute named Ruby.
Vera’s friendship with Eden allowed her access into the most intimate aspects of her life, from sitting in on an emotional conversation with her mother about her job, to witnessing her servicing clients.
There were tumultuous moments along the way, such as when Eden was arrested while on assignment in the east coast, and faced the possibility of jail time. She was eventually let off with a $300 fine.
Reflecting on her experiences, Eden acknowledged the complexities of her occupation, and was careful to separate her work from her identity.
“Nobody IS what they DO, but whatever we do becomes a part of us. I am a woman, a daughter, a sister, a friend, an artist, and a provider of sex in exchange for money. Although I set aside piece of myself to protect them, I do not disappear. The daughter, sister, friend, and artist that I am outside of work will always carry around the memories and lessons I’ve gained.”
Scroll down for more photographs and view the series here.
After Eden services a customer, she takes off her wig to return to her ‘real’ self.
Now residing in an apartment with friends in San Francisco, CA, Eden tries on stripper clothes she just purchased.
Eden cries while talking to her mom about her work as a prostitute. It was the first time they discussed her profession at length.
Eden and a customer have sex in her hotel room.
Because of Eden’s unconventional work schedule, she takes frequent naps throughout the day in order to get rest. Her cell phone is always within arm’s reach so she doesn’t miss a customer’s call.
Eden counts the money she has made in the past 4 days. Due to the manner in which the money was obtained, she is unable to deposit it into the bank and is forced to carry it around with her.
Eden lays on the rooftop of her mother’s home to reflect on old times in Lancaster, VA and contemplate the possibility of going to jail.
[via Feature Shoot and fotovisura, images and captions via fotovisura and Alicia Vera]