On the Artists Wanted website, a woman photographing her son dressed as a girl piqued my interest.

"Photography was a way of being able to participate in a world where I didn't normally feel I fit in. I started photographing my children but quickly became known for capturing other people's children as they were seen by their parents. I was in love with the challenge and process of connecting with my subjects. No matter how a photo shoot started, there was always mutual trust and respect by the end. Through this process I learned that energy, positive energy, is contagious, and what I was searching for in my life was coming through in my images.

'The Many Faces of Hambone' was inspired by my mother's shallowness and how the emphasis on appearance stunted my emotional and spiritual growth. These images of my 9 year old son best illustrate my intent to show that a beautiful child does not translate into beauty within. I thank my mother now as I understand her own insecurities and lack of love for herself kept her from accepting me. It has taught me to appreciate my life and has inspired me to be a better mother, person and artist. He is not going to be a cross dresser or gay because I dressed him up; he is going to be a beautiful, independent, confident human being because I adore and accept him for who he is. I believe the photographs are beautiful, and my son looks pretty darn cute and convincing as a girl; the images individually and as a series are purposely and consistently meant to be emotionless and non contagious. The audience emotionally should be left wanting more." - Hilary Mullarkey, September 2010

View the magazine full screen photo feature.