‘READY’ by Vincent Tiberius

Ready (2022-2024)

Starring:

Eliza
Tiresia
Opal
Oskar
Milo
Disco & Ivy
Somon
Roberta
Gia

Post Production:
Noam Gil Shuster

When I was 18, I first received an offer for “taschengeld” online –
“pocket money” for sexual services. Soon after, I moved to Berlin and
immersed myself in a new world of dates and clients, many of whom became
regulars. Through sex work, I experienced new forms of freedom. I
reinvented myself. I let go of preconceived societal notions about how I
should live my life. A central aim of this series is to re-frame how we
think about sex work, and more importantly the marginalized individuals
who chose to do it. Although I recognize my own more privileged entry to
the world of sex work, I nonetheless want to challenge the notion that
queer and femme sex workers are always forced into their line of work.
While this may be true for some, sex work is also an act of empowerment
granting people financial autonomy and new experiences. By spotlighting
subjects’ individuality and agency, I hope to destigmatize their lived
experiences and counteract public discrimination of sex work.
READY is a project based in trust and community-building. Initially
starting with those close to me in Berlin, I later connected with fellow
sex workers around the world with the goal of celebrating a diverse
group of individuals who, despite radical differences in cultural,
economic and legal contexts, share common stories and challenges. With
the special help of my dear friends Alice and Nalin, I was given the
chance to meet and take portraits of several incredible people in Mexico
and Thailand. In the end, I photographed 32 subjects across six cities –
Berlin, Mexico City, Bangkok, London, Vienna and New York. I want to
thank each and everyone featured for trusting me as I recorded some of
their most vulnerable moments and memories.
READY does not represent the complete story of queer sex workers, but
rather offers kaleidoscopic glimpses into the contemporary reality of it
– an ongoing story about my friends, the many beautiful people who have
been introduced to me over the last two years, and ultimately myself.