Playboys

• Prize
  Gold in Book/Documentary, 2nd Place winner in Book
• Jury Top 5 Selection

  Prof. William Snyder Intimate look at an insular society. Great moments and intimate perspective.

• Photographer
  Robert Yager
• Agency / Studio
  Robert Yager Photography
• Technical Info
  All Shot With 35mm Black And White Negative Film.
• Photo Date
  1992 to 2003

“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 in LA, the photographs span up until 2003. This historic body of work objectively explores the visual expression and culture of LA 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.

Robert Yager grew up in London, England. In 1985, at 21, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue Photography. He started documenting Los Angeles gang members in 1991 and gained considerable notoriety for this work. He became an editorial photographer for publications such as The New York Times Magazine and UK's The Observer and The Independent Magazines. Yager was hired to tour with Van Halen and document David Lee Roth's return to the band in 2007 and 08. Yager was awarded a fellowship by the Aaron Siskind Foundation in 1996 and his work has been exhibited and published worldwide.