One thing that's really consistent with the people that I've photographed is that I have
a connection with them.
I see myself in them in some way, I have to feel some sort of chemistry in order to evoke
an image that I love.
I'm creating a series of portraits that is trying to redefine what it means to be queer
in America today.
Usually, it starts with an email or a Facebook message, you can't really walk up to somebody
on the street and be like, hey, can I shoot you for my big gay project?
But on the internet, if people are putting themselves out there super publicly, then
I think it's a pretty safe bet that they really are seeking visibility in a bigger way.
So Erin Riley is the CEO and founder of New Leaf Columbus, which I think you might be
pretty new because it doesn't have any likes yet.
I'm going to like it right now.
I found him by searching for queer Columbus, Ohio.
He looked so different with his suit and tie than a lot of the people that were featured.
I immediately was drawn to him.
I told them to take me somewhere that's meaningful for them, where they can show both strength
of individuality and vulnerability at the same time.
No, these are the two walls that I call my wall of shame, so it's that shame of self-promotion,
you know.
And you know, just some of my places I've been in accomplishment is achieved is what
you want to call it.
Alright, it's just a trusty camera.
So this film case I actually got from my uncle, which is why it says my name already
on it.
So it's a four by five land camera, and let's see if I can open it smoothly, probably not.
In this process, it's kind of calming to me.
It's calming, setting it up, and I also think that it lends to a different sort of photo
shoot and a one that I really want.
I love this idea of formal portraiture that kind of has, I feel like it's almost going
by the wayside.
This idea of just sitting and presenting yourself in this really conscious way.
When people see like a digital 35 millimeter or something, they know exactly how to act.
They know what faces to put on.
When they see this, it's like a different sort of beast.
They just get really calm in front of it.
Her name's Chickadee.
I was really interested in her because she lived in Concrete, Washington, which is the
last place on earth I thought I would find a queer subject.
She was really willing.
She's like, I have two kids and a husband and this woman who's our mutual sweetheart.
This is Travis in Glendale, California at Gayskate.
You can see this light blur right here, which is a band of super fast roller skating drag
queens zooming around in the background behind him.
I love his look.
I think it also talks about looking for love.
This classic sort of teenage like trying to find who to roller skate with.
Real strength and real tenderness at the same time in one frame is something that I go back
to a lot.
In queer relationships, there's so many times that it's so tender and soft, but also you
have to have so much strength to show yourself and to be who you are.
Sometimes I think it's insane why did I choose a project that covers a huge community and
a huge country.
But every time I meet someone, it gives me energy and fuel.
It could be a project that ends in a couple months, or I could see it carrying on my entire
life and just changing as the community changes.
Okay, so just look straight into the camera, just relax, take a deep breath, and I'll count
to three.
One, two, three.
Nice.
One, two, three.
One, two, three.
