Coming Out (2016)

I am a queer individual. I only fully came to terms with that in 2016 when I made this work. My sexuality was a part of myself that I repressed for a long time and finally embracing it entailed a number of things. This project was my way of coming out.

This project is a blend of narrative heavy photos and intimate portraits. My imagery focuses on the fears and insecurities I faced in the process of accepting who I truly was. I had to come to terms with a religion I once believed in but that now told me I should burn in hell for what I am, a mother who didn’t know the truth and who I was terrified to tell, and all of the complex fears and emotions that are a part of this process, that I often felt like I was drowning in. The more narrative photos deal with these emotions and concepts. However I did not focus solely on the negative aspect. My visuals also allowed me to unapologetically embrace and show the world who I am. Portraits of myself in feminine poses alongside drag performers, moments of intimacy with my partner at the time, and the peace that came with being able to accept myself for who I am are all subjects.  With this project I was showing the world that I was scared as hell, but I was no longer hiding.