“Playboys” is a collection of Yager's provocative images, documenting a notorious Los Angeles street gang, Playboys 13. Begun in January 1992; a year of rioting, gang warfare and record gun deaths, the photographs span up until 2003.
This historic body of work objectively explores the visual expression and culture of gangs, their humanity and bonds that keep them together, while also exposing consequences of their decisions.
144 images, 260 pages. 32x22 cm hard cover. Published December 2022 by 550BC.
Such intimate images were only possible to have been photographed from the inside.
Awards 2019 – Tokyo International Foto Awards: 1st Place – Advertising
2019 – Photo District News Photography Awards: 1st Place - Advertising/Corporate
2019 – International Photography Awards: 2nd Place Fashion-Advertising
2012 - Finalist for the W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography
2008 – Photo District News: Music Photography Award: 2nd place
2008 - International Photography Awards: People – Lifestyle, 2nd place
2005 - International Photography Awards: Best Photo Essay, 1st place
2004 - AOP Zeitgeist Award for editorial photography
1998 - ‘Award of Excellence’ Communication Arts
1996 - ‘Individual Photographer’s Fellowship’, Aaron Siskind Foundation, School of Visual Arts, NY.
1994/95 - ‘Southern California Journalism Award’, Los Angeles Press Club -’Best Photo Essay’ in a weekly newspaper, 1st place.
1994 - Finalist for the W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography
