We all have the ability to become something other than ourselves, through costume, makeup, dress; but only a few have the courage and conviction to do it permanently. 'In My Skin' explores the motivation, inspiration, and lifestyle of a select few that have made the choice to become what they feel to be their true selves - A Cat, Tiger, Lizard, Vampire, Leopard, Warrior. These people have permanently altered their appearance through extreme modifications in an attempt to truly express their inner being. Jenny Risher seeks through a selection of portraits and interviews to better understand these very unique individuals and show that sometimes beauty is more than skin deep.
Detroit, Michigan native Jenny Risher studied at Detroit's College for Creative Studies, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography. Her first published book, by Momentum, 'Heart Soul Detroit' was inspired by a conversation with friend and fashion icon Veronica Webb. Risher works in Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles for many international fashion brands, advertising agencies, and editorial publications.
Awards
Education
1997, B.F.A. Photography, The College for Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan
1996, AICAD Mobility Program, Parsons School of Art and Design, New York, New York
Photography Representation
2012—current, Jai Gallery, Orlando, Florida
2002—current, M Represents, New York, New York
Forthcoming Solo Exhibition
June 5—Sept. 7, 2014, Heart Soul Detroit, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey, Michigan
Solo Exhibition
July 15—Sept. 29, 2013, Heart Soul Detroit, The Detroit Historical Museum, Detroit, Michigan
Jan. 25—March 3, 2013, Heart Soul Detroit, The Center Galleries, Detroit, Michigan
Group Exhibition
2012, Snap!, Inkcarnation, Orlando, Florida
2012, Jai Gallery, Inkcarnation, Orlando, Florida
Awards
2013, Sony World Photography Awards, People Category, top 50 of 54,851
2013, SPD Cover of the Day: Wednesday Edition, Jul 17
2012, Folio Ozzie Award, Gold, Dots With Dash, Hour Media LLC September 2011
2011, 6th Annual Spider Awards People Category Nominee
2010, Global Awards, Finalist Certificate Nutropin, Growing Opportunity, Ogilvy USA
Bibliography
2013, WJR Mitch Albom, Heart Soul Detroit, Jul 9
2013, WDET Craig Fahle, Heart Soul Detroit, Jul 9
2013, Sirius/XM Jennifer Hutt, Heart Soul Detroit, Jun 4
2013, WJBK Fox The Nine, Jason Carr, Apr 12
2013, WDIV First Block Primetime Special, May 23
2013, WJR Opportunity Detroit Paul W. Smith, Heart Soul Detroit, Apr 26
2013, WJR Frank Beckham, Heart Soul Detroit, Apr 12
2013, The Detroit News, Lens on Detroit, Section C/Arts and Style, Feb. 26
2013, Hour Detroit, Home Exposure: Heart Soul Detroit, Feb. Issue
2013, Creatives Transforming Detroit: Heart Soul Detroit, Jan. 28
2013, Huffington Post, Heart Soul Detroit, Jan. 24
2012, C Magazine, To Detroit with Love, Winter Issue, p. 14-15
2012, Ambassador Magazine, Letter Home, Jan./Feb. Issue, p. 20
Publications/Author
2013, Heart Soul Detroit, published by Momentum Books, featuring portraits and interviews of 50 notable Detroiters: Al Kaline, Alice Cooper, Allee Willis, Anna Sui, Barry Sanders, Berry Gordy, Bill Bonds, Bill Ford Jr., Claudette Robinson, Chris Hansen, Della Reese, Don Was, Elmore Leonard, Emanuel Steward, Eminem, Freda Payne, George Clinton, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Iggy Pop, Jack Kevorkian, Jack White, Jackie Kallen, James P. Hoffa, James Toney, Jerry Bruckheimer, Congressman John Conyers, John Sinclair, John Varvatos, Juan Atkins, Lily Tomlin, Lee Iacocca, Martha Reeves, Mary Wilson, Mel Farr, Mitch Ryder, Mitch Albom, Nicklas Lidstrom, Philip Levine, Selma Blair, Senator Carl Levin, Smokey Robinson, Sutton Foster, Syd Mead, Ted Nugent, Thomas Hearns, Tim Allen, Tyree Guyton, Veronica Webb, Wayne Kramer, Willie Horton
Photography Mentor
2013, Focus: HOPE Detroit Excel Photography Program, Mar-May
Photography, Freelance (select list)
Hanes Corporation
Point of purchase, packaging, campaigns, and web for the following brands:
Wonderbra
Hanes
Victoria’s Secret, web, catalogue and mailers
Kenneth Cole Productions
Seasonal look books, point of purchase, and web for the following brands:
Kenneth Cole
Reaction
Unlisted!
Shiseido Cosmetics
In-store point of purchase, mailers, and web for the following brands:
Shiseido
Qiora
Cle de Peau
Liz Claiborne Company
Seasonal look books, point of purchase, packaging, and web for the following brands:
DKNY
Ellen Tracy
Isaac Mizrahi
Jack Spade
Kate Spade
Juicy Couture
Mexx
John Bartlett
Tim Gunn
Martha Stewart Living/MSLO, web and print
Agency Clients (select list)
BBDO, Circa, ConAir, Estee Lauder, Euro RSCG, Ford Motor Company, Grey, Imagehaus, Minds in Sync, Nine West, Ogilvy/Common Health, OpenSky, Pace Inc., R/GA, Raison Pure, Sector, Sephora, Team Detroit
Editorial (select list)
7x7, ...and Men, AARP, Curve, Elle Accessories, Niche Media/Hamptons and Gotham, New York Times, Hour Detroit, Highlights, Marie Claire, Mens Health, Noi.se, Parents, Redbook, Town and Country, Vanity Fair
Assistant to Photographer, New York Freelance (select list):
1997—2003, Patrick Demarchelier, Francesco Scavullo, James Wojcik, Todd Eberle, David Weiss
Internships:
1996, Joyce Tenneson, New York
