Tough Pleasures turns a bright light and witty lens on the conflicting dynamics of femininity and food—revealing appetite and desire. Susan Bright's astute and savory essay provides the perfect table setting for the environmental portraits that follow. Wilkinson masterfully interrupts the repetitive and limiting messaging of unattainable expectations and endless critique by putting power in the hands of her subjects, real women and girls. 

In this conversation, Toni and Susan discuss, among other things:

Shooting intuitively

Slow looking

Penises

Capturing chaos

Too muchness

Interrogating with light

Breaking image sequence with detailed shots

Revisiting work and reopening the series

Defying prescripted roles 

Playing with power plays

Image-making as a tool to engage in ideas

Slog, splendor and sensuality