I worked as a prostitute from a very young age; it wasn’t the only thing I did at the time, but subconsciously, my life revolved around it.
I worked in this sector in Uruguay and Argentina. I met more than 400 prostitutes and visited more than 20 different locations. My experience taught me that there is this other side to prostitution that is not depicted by society. For example, not all prostitutes are abused or victims of some terrible circumstances.
As a photographer I had specialized in photojournalism, but once again I returned to my body. I exposed my body in front of my camera with the so-called "self-portrait".
Somehow photography led me to search for my lost identity.
I worked with my other life, with this other “me”. Coming and going through time, with thousands of questions and the occasional answer. Suddenly, a light came on, and “Camilla” was born, a project where past and future “naturally” share the same space.
This series of self portraits juxtapose me in the past and present in a continuous dialogue. The past is represented by "Camilla", my old nom de guerre, resurged from the past. In each image, she is in dialogue with my other character "Veronika" , who represents me today.
This series challenges the sensationalist image of prostitute women, as one that is always exposed to undesirable situations. My intention is to present another side of the coin, one that reflects my personal experience.
I must say that at the start I hesitated to tell my truth. I was afraid of rejection, as this would involve confronting my family, my friends and society, but as someone who believed in photography as a way to tell truths, I felt I should do it. I started a dialogue with my other half, talking to her as Camila, my persona since I was 16, and I realised that from that life I learned almost everything I am now.
Walking through dangerous worlds is like walking through the jungle without so many masks; everything is more humane, many times revealing the true nature of our existence. Camilla had to learn as she went along how to face life and deal with all sorts of people, during times of danger and adventure. Every day she learned through the contact with people how to resolve negative situations, and I preserve what was useful from those experiences. Even today, my greatest affections are from that time. It seemed I had to be there to feel them.
In my pictures I decided to use light colors, low saturated, everything is clean, all the pictures are light, because I want to take Camila, this girl prostitute out of darkness..
Both girls, past and present, Camilla and Veronika, are present in my photographs, and those who look at them cannot deny it.
