Beauty ideals have shaped our lives since time immemorial. In her first monograph, I am not like me, photographer Lina Czerny (b. 1993) focuses on the body as the stage upon which we present ourselves. Between self-determination and normative images, she explores how people shape their appearance, using make-up, cosmetic treatments, tattoos, or training to design their identity. I am not like me is not a contradiction, but rather an expression of the capacity for transformation and distance between one's past, present, and future. Czerny photographs in a diverse range of settings, from cosmetic procedures to gender-affirming surgery to a dominatrix's studio, from bodybuilding competitions to beauty contests. The combination of portraits, video-stills, and interviews shows how closely self-design is tied to societal expectations-and where there is nevertheless scope for autonomy. AUTHOR: Lina Czerny (*1993) is a freelance photographer based in Berlin. She currently studies photography at Ostkreuzschule für Fotografie and holds a Master's degree in Comparative Arts & Media Studies from VU Amsterdam. In her photographic work, she explores social and documentary themes, discovering colour relationships and aesthetics that allow her to build strong, coherent compositions. She carefully arranges and selects her subjects to create a distinct visual language. Her interest lies in uncovering beauty in places and contexts where it is not usually expected. SELLING POINTS: . Berlin-based photographer Lina Czerny (b. 1993) brings a fresh, thoughtful perspective to social and documentary photography . Distinct Visual Language: Her work is characterised by carefully composed images, exploring colour relationships and aesthetic structures that give everyday scenes unexpected resonance . Focus on the Unseen and Overlooked: Czerny is drawn to contexts where beauty is not usually expected, revealing subtle, quiet moments through her lens