Candyland
Published on 30. September 2024
Book
Hardback
128 pages
978-1-916846-42-5 (ISBN)
Description
"Goddesses
of sex and light, fully owning their own bodies and sexuality with
innate empowerment." This is how photographer Elizabeth Waterman
describes the female adult entertainers featured in Candyland, a series
of colorful and vibrant portraits designed to capture the unique
personalities of the subjects. The actresses were very much a part of
the creative process, adding their own ideas to create playful images
celebrating their individual beauty and charisma. Waterman's previous
book, Moneygame, an acclaimed photographic depiction of the world of
strip clubs across the USA, inspired her to invite some of America's
leading porn stars to take part in a project which reflects them through
a female lens, shot against vibrant, sunlit Southern Californian
settings. "I liked showing them in deliciousness, excess, and fun and
glory," said Waterman. "The porn stars that I photographed were happy to
be doing what they were doing, they loved having sex and they were good
at it."
Candyland features a foreword by Stormy Daniels.
of sex and light, fully owning their own bodies and sexuality with
innate empowerment." This is how photographer Elizabeth Waterman
describes the female adult entertainers featured in Candyland, a series
of colorful and vibrant portraits designed to capture the unique
personalities of the subjects. The actresses were very much a part of
the creative process, adding their own ideas to create playful images
celebrating their individual beauty and charisma. Waterman's previous
book, Moneygame, an acclaimed photographic depiction of the world of
strip clubs across the USA, inspired her to invite some of America's
leading porn stars to take part in a project which reflects them through
a female lens, shot against vibrant, sunlit Southern Californian
settings. "I liked showing them in deliciousness, excess, and fun and
glory," said Waterman. "The porn stars that I photographed were happy to
be doing what they were doing, they loved having sex and they were good
at it."
Candyland features a foreword by Stormy Daniels.
Reviews / Votes
Elizabeth is known for shining a light on and advocating for the women that make up the world of pornography, pole dancing and other elements of the sex industry. She's a diligent and passionate cataloguer and in some ways legitimizer of a "seedy underbelly" that everyone seems to consume, but no one wants to accept. Candyland is not just an exploration of a woman's body, but of our sexuality. How would an adult film star perform if they weren't being directed? Candyland is the perfect answer to that question. It's a reminder that there is a little bit of goddess in us all.Stormy Daniels
In Candyland, Waterman transcends the superficial allure of the sex industry to reveal the humanity and agency of her subjects. Through her lens we witness not just eroticism, but empowerment; not just beauty, but resilience. Her collection challenges viewers to confront biases and assumptions, and recognize the strength and individuality of these women. Waterman's photography serves as a beacon of liberation, an invitation to embrace a paradigm where sexuality is celebrated, and every woman is worthy of admiration.
Bridgette Redman
Candyland succeeds...because it's authentic, it's original, and every part of its creation comes from an artist who is genuinely passionate about all aspects of her work, down to the smallest details. Elizabeth is very original in her visual style. Her work is unique. I've never seen what she's created replicated, which makes her projects very special.
Elizabeth had a vision, but at the end of the day she wanted me to feel like my most beautiful self-she heard me when I told her which outfits I felt my best in and which poses made me feel most confident. And I live for that. I'm a firm believer that if your performers are comfortable and happy, the project will come out 10/10.
Kenzie Reeves
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
80 Illustrations, color
Dimensions
Height: 217 mm
Width: 278 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
906 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-916846-42-5 (9781916846425)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Los Angeles-based Elizabeth Waterman is an American fine art photographer. A through line in her distinctive body of work is the depiction of the ongoing metamorphosis of artists and performers of many genres. Her images explore female sexuality, sex work, strippers, obsessions, and portraits of artists. Waterman's style has been called both transcendent and transformative. Elegantly composed, it is infused with directness and authenticity. Born in Taos, New Mexico, Waterman holds a B.A. in Fine Art from the University of Southern California.