| Those who cross dress often do so in the privacy of | | | | helps to put a face to a name. This, in turn, helps to |
| their own home, behind closed doors. In fact, some | | | | build trust and solidifies one's presence. Being able to |
| cross dressers go to great lengths to ensure that | | | | see the person someone is conversing with creates a |
| their secret remains well hidden, even from their | | | | greater degree of 'connection' and encourages more |
| closest family and friends. | | | | personal interaction. |
| The emergence of the internet and social networking | | | | Another reason is vanity, self-confidence and |
| now allows cross dressers to be part of an online | | | | ego-boosting. Many just want to flaunt their beauty |
| community, whilst being able to maintain a certain | | | | and show that they have good makeup skills and |
| degree of anonymity. You can easily interact with | | | | fashion sense. |
| people from all over the world, without having to | | | | Some people choose to share their cross dressing |
| reveal your identity. So what is it then that makes | | | | pics just because they want to. Being seen is |
| cross dressers want to take pictures of themselves | | | | considered the ultimate freedom of expression. |
| and even go as far as post them on the web for all | | | | Taking and sharing pictures allows people to keep |
| to see? What do they expect to get out of it? | | | | their experiences of cross dressing light-hearted and |
| The number one reason cited by cross dressers is | | | | fun. |
| validation. After all the effort that cross dressers go | | | | We've looked at why cross dressers choose to take |
| to in order to create the perfect feminine image, | | | | pictures, but there are actually lots of cross dressers |
| they want to be able to show their work to | | | | who choose not to. One of the biggest reasons for |
| like-minded people and get some feedback - good or | | | | this is the fear of being recognised. Common |
| bad. Of course, if they've done a good job, positive | | | | concerns for cross dressers include family |
| comments provide encouragement and support. If | | | | acceptance, personal safety and job security and |
| there's anything that can be improved, they use it as | | | | being found out could jeopardize these factors. Quite |
| a learning exercise and try to improve on that point | | | | often, this is a risk that cross dressers are not |
| the next time. | | | | prepared to take. |
| One of the greatest benefits of pictures is that they | | | | Another reason is that people don't feel as though |
| allow closeted cross dressers to 'come out' without | | | | they've accomplished the 'complete' look. Cross |
| leaving their home. This is really important for so | | | | dressers often buy their clothes, makeup, wigs etc in |
| many people who spend their whole lives in the | | | | dribs and drabs. So, say if someone hasn't bought |
| closet, for whatever reason. | | | | any makeup yet, they may not wish to have a |
| Pictures also capture the moment and help to make | | | | photograph taken without the perfect female face. |
| it 'real', confirming that it did happen and that they | | | | Others want to perfect their look before taking a |
| can look like that. In a way, I suppose it's like taking | | | | picture. Some simply don't have a camera. |
| holiday snaps or pictures of your children. One can | | | | One other reason is that an individual's partner or |
| look back at the pics in years to come and take a | | | | wife may not want them to. Partners deal with cross |
| trip down memory lane. | | | | dressing in different ways and some are not |
| As many cross dressers are part of online | | | | comfortable with certain things. A partner's feelings |
| communities, many feel that posting their picture | | | | should always be respected. |