​LA producer a.k.a. skips unveils debut photography book on queer identity

San Francisco-born, Los Angeles-based producer a.k.a. skips, formerly known as Ducky, has unveiled his debut photography book.

The book, titled i want to rest and be held by someone who loves me, is said to be the producer’s “most intimate" project to date looking at queer identity and self-acceptance.

“This is by far the most intimate project I've ever done,” says the producer, real name CK Neiman. “It is an invitation to step inside my life as your own, to see how it feels and how we connect.”

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“This is not just my story as an addict, or an artist, or a queer and trans person. This is my story as a human, trying to find where I fit in the world.”

The autobiographical book will be featured at the SF Art Book Fair from July 14 - 16 and at the LA Art Book Fair from August 10 - 13.

i want to rest and be held by someone who loves me takes an in-depth look at the personal life of Neiman, a trans producer, photographer, painter and tattoo artist who works from a studio in downtown LA.

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The book documents photos taken by Neiman between the ages of 17 and 30, taking readers on a “visual journey” through experiences with addiction, sobriety, depression, and gender dysphoria.

It also documents the end of the producer’s Ducky alias, which he retired in 2021 to take a two-year hiatus to transition privately before debuting his new rave-focused alias a.k.a. skips earlier this year.

The photography book follows a recent painting display by the producer at Los Angeles art gallery La Luz De Jesus, which is currently running until August 28.

Take a look at some photos below from i want to rest and be held by someone who loves me, and pre-order the book here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter