Beautiful boy, Lissa Rivera’s latest photographic project, draws inspiration precisely from those first words, BJ’s first words; breathed testaments of a journey of self-discovery and self-analysis that gradually develop into material, tactile images. Beautiful boy is, for this reason, a powerful and compelling visual investigation into the very idea of gender as a dynamic, fluid process. In re-reading and re-defining the commonly imposed models of femininity, the New York-based photographer thus creates an incredibly suggestive visual essay focused on BJ: model, friend and romantic partner. We asked Lissa to tell us more about her ambitious project here’s what she’s got to say.