Nick Ballo oiled up

Nick Ballo

In the early Eighties I opened Better Bodies gym in my home-town, New York City. My gym quickly attracted local bodybuilders, and I became an active participant in the birth of women's bodybuilding.

I have trained top women in the sport. Many remain close friends and my experience with them have afforded me a level of trust and intimacy that these women do not usually allow, let alone with a camera.

In 1997 I picked up a camera for the first time since childhood and casually started to photograph the leading competitors in the bodybuilding and fitness world.

My images are unguarded, honest and voyeuristic. Whether they capture backstage scenes at the Ms. Olympia or private moments in a hotel room hours before the competitor steps out on stage, these images are imbued with an intimacy that had never been seen before.

Visit BrianMoss.com for more.

RIP Big Joe.....i met Joe Selva at Westside Bodybuilding in 1981, he was one of the managers along with my future partner Mike Alalof. 

i still have this thing, we used to place your card in it while you worked out

Me and Nick Ballo, note Gladys' Ms. Olympia medal on the wall behind me