This project took me by surprise. I've always had friends in Burlesque and had gone to Burlesque shows … [I] found myself fascinated by what occurred backstage and seeing ordinary people transform themselves completely in various ways.

The idea is very simple; to juxtapose photographs of each performer as they are every day, with an image as their stage persona.

As the idea developed, other reactions began to surface that informed the project. I began to learn more about Burlesque performers, and the "why" behind their personal motivations.

For those unfamiliar, burlesque can, on the surface, seem no different than stripping. While striptease is also used in burlesque there is a distinction between the two. In burlesque, performers use their bodies as a tool to confront an audience, often using the striptease to challenge sexual objectification, orientation and other social taboos.

I hope [my project] humanizes the performers, depicting them in a way that makes it clear they are no different than you or I.