New York based Photographer Cara Phillips describes her latest project, Ultraviolet Beauties: "My first body of work explored the psychological experience of the cosmetic surgeon’s office. While researching that project, I came across UV images of patients. Many medi-spas and dermatologists take reflective ultraviolet photographs to show patients their ‘future’ skin. Even though there is no guarantee that this unseen damage will ever appear, beauty professionals and doctors still use these images to sell treatments to their clients and patients.
Utilizing the same UV technology, but using B&W large format film, I set up my studio on the streets of New York City and photographed whoever was willing to sit in my chair. The idea was to offer pedestrians a chance to see their possible future and reconsider the fear of flaws. New York is known for having photo shoots on its streets, and for being the beauty capital of the world. But in my shoot, every person who sat for a portrait was given their moment under the lights."
(Untitled) Ultraviolet #8. October 2008, 14th street and 9th Ave, NYC.
(Untitled) Ultraviolet #7. February 2009, Industria Studios, NYC.
Ultraviolet #43. March 2010, Scope Art Fair, NYC.
