Jane Hilton first encountered a Nevada brothel in 1998, and in 2000 was commissioned to make ten documentary films there and in another nearby.

Although it is one of the oldest professions and has been made legal in the state, it is still not socially acceptable. Precious is a collection of intimate nude portraits of working women and of their stories, giving the viewer an opportunity to leave preconceptions behind. They come from different cultural backgrounds, ages and body shapes, which also challenges the traditional idea of beauty. Working with a plate camera that took hours of their patience made it a very bonding experience: as questions about their own bodies became apparent, their feelings about their own journey were also revealing, and in some cases the process became positive and cathartic.

“Her portraits show both the beauty and the fragility of these women, challenging the stereotypical view.”