WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.118 align:middle line:90% [MUSIC PLAYING] 00:00:03.118 --> 00:00:11.100 align:middle line:90% 00:00:11.100 --> 00:00:11.920 align:middle line:90% Hi, everybody. 00:00:11.920 --> 00:00:14.490 align:middle line:90% Welcome to today's workshop. 00:00:14.490 --> 00:00:16.079 align:middle line:90% My name is Rebecca Trawick. 00:00:16.079 --> 00:00:18.510 align:middle line:84% I'm the director and curator of the Wignall Museum. 00:00:18.510 --> 00:00:21.640 align:middle line:84% And I want to thank you for joining us today. 00:00:21.640 --> 00:00:23.850 align:middle line:84% Today's workshop with Landyn Pan is 00:00:23.850 --> 00:00:27.630 align:middle line:84% presented as part of Collective Care Uncovering Identity. 00:00:27.630 --> 00:00:29.340 align:middle line:84% Collective Care Uncovering Identity 00:00:29.340 --> 00:00:31.830 align:middle line:84% is a collaborative series of programs developed 00:00:31.830 --> 00:00:35.460 align:middle line:84% by the center for culture and social justice and the Wignall 00:00:35.460 --> 00:00:38.250 align:middle line:84% Museum, that bring together artists and community 00:00:38.250 --> 00:00:41.850 align:middle line:84% around issues relevant to the LGBT plus community, 00:00:41.850 --> 00:00:43.320 align:middle line:84% and that look at the intersection 00:00:43.320 --> 00:00:45.210 align:middle line:90% of identity and the arts. 00:00:45.210 --> 00:00:49.170 align:middle line:84% Today's program is part of a series of programs 00:00:49.170 --> 00:00:50.500 align:middle line:90% that have happened this week. 00:00:50.500 --> 00:00:53.190 align:middle line:84% So today, we're super honored to have Landyn with us 00:00:53.190 --> 00:00:54.960 align:middle line:90% for day two. 00:00:54.960 --> 00:00:57.660 align:middle line:84% And huge thanks to Landyn for spending so much time 00:00:57.660 --> 00:00:59.640 align:middle line:90% with our community. 00:00:59.640 --> 00:01:01.230 align:middle line:84% Before I introduce you to Landyn I 00:01:01.230 --> 00:01:04.290 align:middle line:84% want to introduce you to Dr. Letty Romo, Director of Student 00:01:04.290 --> 00:01:06.450 align:middle line:84% Equity and Engagement and Collaborative 00:01:06.450 --> 00:01:08.370 align:middle line:90% Partner in Collective Care. 00:01:08.370 --> 00:01:10.170 align:middle line:90% Dr. Romo. 00:01:10.170 --> 00:01:12.000 align:middle line:90% Hello and welcome everyone. 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:14.910 align:middle line:84% I'm very excited to be here, and thankful that you're joining us 00:01:14.910 --> 00:01:19.350 align:middle line:84% for this what's going to be very fantastic opportunity for us 00:01:19.350 --> 00:01:21.900 align:middle line:84% to engage in learning and discussion 00:01:21.900 --> 00:01:28.800 align:middle line:84% and engaging as we honor Trans Day of Remembrance. 00:01:28.800 --> 00:01:31.180 align:middle line:84% Before we begin this presentation, 00:01:31.180 --> 00:01:34.650 align:middle line:84% I wanted to go ahead and read the land acknowledgment. 00:01:34.650 --> 00:01:37.050 align:middle line:84% So with respect and honor for the land, where 00:01:37.050 --> 00:01:40.350 align:middle line:84% 性视界 resides and the leaders who came before us, 00:01:40.350 --> 00:01:44.010 align:middle line:84% we would like to take a moment to acknowledge the [INAUDIBLE] 00:01:44.010 --> 00:01:46.950 align:middle line:84% peoples, the original stewards of these sacred and unceded 00:01:46.950 --> 00:01:47.970 align:middle line:90% homelands. 00:01:47.970 --> 00:01:51.630 align:middle line:84% The Tongva people's history, languages, cultural traditions, 00:01:51.630 --> 00:01:54.600 align:middle line:84% and legacy continue to shape this region. 00:01:54.600 --> 00:01:56.760 align:middle line:84% And we recognize their continuing presence 00:01:56.760 --> 00:01:57.900 align:middle line:90% in their homelands. 00:01:57.900 --> 00:01:59.850 align:middle line:84% In the Spirit of truth and equity, 00:01:59.850 --> 00:02:01.860 align:middle line:84% 性视界 commits to uplifting 00:02:01.860 --> 00:02:04.020 align:middle line:84% the voices of Indigenous peoples, 00:02:04.020 --> 00:02:05.850 align:middle line:84% building an inclusive and equitable 00:02:05.850 --> 00:02:09.250 align:middle line:84% educational environment and decolonizing the institution. 00:02:09.250 --> 00:02:11.790 align:middle line:84% We also encourage members of 性视界 community 00:02:11.790 --> 00:02:13.770 align:middle line:84% to learn about the land they reside on 00:02:13.770 --> 00:02:16.950 align:middle line:84% and the original caretakers and advocate for the culturally 00:02:16.950 --> 00:02:18.510 align:middle line:90% responsive action. 00:02:18.510 --> 00:02:20.600 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:02:20.600 --> 00:02:22.350 align:middle line:84% Museum of Contemporary Art aims to present 00:02:22.350 --> 00:02:24.870 align:middle line:84% diverse, innovative, contemporary programming 00:02:24.870 --> 00:02:27.240 align:middle line:84% that engages contemporary subjects, social issues, 00:02:27.240 --> 00:02:28.650 align:middle line:90% and artistic themes. 00:02:28.650 --> 00:02:30.120 align:middle line:84% Sometimes presentations may contain 00:02:30.120 --> 00:02:31.953 align:middle line:84% provocative or otherwise sensitive or mature 00:02:31.953 --> 00:02:33.360 align:middle line:90% content for some viewers. 00:02:33.360 --> 00:02:36.780 align:middle line:84% So today, I'm very pleased to introduce Landyn Pan. 00:02:36.780 --> 00:02:40.830 align:middle line:84% Landyn is a trans, non-binary photographer and video producer 00:02:40.830 --> 00:02:42.810 align:middle line:90% based in Brooklyn, New York. 00:02:42.810 --> 00:02:44.700 align:middle line:84% Their artistic mission is to amplify 00:02:44.700 --> 00:02:47.820 align:middle line:84% the voices of queer and trans people of color 00:02:47.820 --> 00:02:50.730 align:middle line:84% through creating empowering and uplifting media. 00:02:50.730 --> 00:02:54.180 align:middle line:84% Their photography work focusing on queer and trans identities, 00:02:54.180 --> 00:02:56.730 align:middle line:84% trans bodies, and gender presentation 00:02:56.730 --> 00:03:02.070 align:middle line:84% has been seen in Dazed, ID, Logo TV, Glad, Allure, 00:03:02.070 --> 00:03:03.510 align:middle line:90% and many more. 00:03:03.510 --> 00:03:06.990 align:middle line:84% As a video producer, they have covered events such as the 2018 00:03:06.990 --> 00:03:09.300 align:middle line:90% election of Ilhan-- 00:03:09.300 --> 00:03:14.280 align:middle line:84% excuse me, Ilhan Omar, the 2018 VMAs, the 2019 Lollapalooza 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:17.940 align:middle line:84% Music Festival, the 2019 Made in America Music Festival, 00:03:17.940 --> 00:03:18.820 align:middle line:90% and more. 00:03:18.820 --> 00:03:22.350 align:middle line:84% So please join me in giving Landyn a warm virtual welcome. 00:03:22.350 --> 00:03:24.900 align:middle line:84% And we'll hand over the platform to Landyn. 00:03:24.900 --> 00:03:27.530 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:03:27.530 --> 00:03:30.560 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:31.520 align:middle line:90% OK. 00:03:31.520 --> 00:03:34.745 align:middle line:84% Roman, if you could pull up the presentation, please. 00:03:34.745 --> 00:03:37.490 align:middle line:90% 00:03:37.490 --> 00:03:41.413 align:middle line:90% I know that some of y'all-- 00:03:41.413 --> 00:03:43.580 align:middle line:84% some of the names I kind of recognize from yesterday 00:03:43.580 --> 00:03:45.530 align:middle line:90% from the artist talk. 00:03:45.530 --> 00:03:47.960 align:middle line:84% If you were there yesterday, welcome back. 00:03:47.960 --> 00:03:50.300 align:middle line:84% We're going to be looking at some of the same works 00:03:50.300 --> 00:03:52.850 align:middle line:84% that I did, that I showed yesterday. 00:03:52.850 --> 00:03:56.240 align:middle line:84% But this is a workshop that's on building trust 00:03:56.240 --> 00:03:59.930 align:middle line:84% and relationships through photography with your subjects 00:03:59.930 --> 00:04:00.710 align:middle line:90% and models. 00:04:00.710 --> 00:04:02.960 align:middle line:90% So I'm a portrait photographer. 00:04:02.960 --> 00:04:06.170 align:middle line:84% So this is going to be from a portrait photographer's 00:04:06.170 --> 00:04:06.860 align:middle line:90% perspective. 00:04:06.860 --> 00:04:10.070 align:middle line:84% But this could apply to documentary filmmaking, 00:04:10.070 --> 00:04:13.520 align:middle line:84% narrative film, or even other styles of portraiture and art 00:04:13.520 --> 00:04:16.310 align:middle line:84% like painting and illustration, really 00:04:16.310 --> 00:04:19.700 align:middle line:90% anything that's collaborative. 00:04:19.700 --> 00:04:21.680 align:middle line:84% And hopefully, whatever medium it 00:04:21.680 --> 00:04:25.550 align:middle line:84% is that you work with, that you could take away something 00:04:25.550 --> 00:04:28.030 align:middle line:90% from this. 00:04:28.030 --> 00:04:31.420 align:middle line:84% So I would also say that if there is a project idea 00:04:31.420 --> 00:04:34.255 align:middle line:90% that you have or if you are-- 00:04:34.255 --> 00:04:37.210 align:middle line:90% 00:04:37.210 --> 00:04:38.860 align:middle line:84% There's a project idea that you have 00:04:38.860 --> 00:04:42.200 align:middle line:84% or if you kind of want to brainstorm along with this, 00:04:42.200 --> 00:04:43.280 align:middle line:90% feel free to do so. 00:04:43.280 --> 00:04:46.300 align:middle line:84% I would totally encourage people to participate and ask 00:04:46.300 --> 00:04:47.990 align:middle line:90% questions through the chat. 00:04:47.990 --> 00:04:51.230 align:middle line:84% I'll definitely be on the lookout for that. 00:04:51.230 --> 00:04:54.915 align:middle line:84% So yeah, for this presentation, I'm 00:04:54.915 --> 00:04:56.290 align:middle line:84% going to be talking more casually 00:04:56.290 --> 00:04:58.160 align:middle line:84% about my perspective as a photographer 00:04:58.160 --> 00:05:00.940 align:middle line:84% and my philosophy on photography, 00:05:00.940 --> 00:05:05.560 align:middle line:84% and that is that you should choose 00:05:05.560 --> 00:05:08.253 align:middle line:84% to create art in the community that you are a part of. 00:05:08.253 --> 00:05:10.420 align:middle line:84% So this is the reason why pretty much all of my work 00:05:10.420 --> 00:05:12.988 align:middle line:90% is on queer and trans stuff. 00:05:12.988 --> 00:05:14.530 align:middle line:84% There are a lot of stories out there. 00:05:14.530 --> 00:05:18.370 align:middle line:84% And I understand that like not every story is mine to tell. 00:05:18.370 --> 00:05:20.620 align:middle line:84% And I also believe that there is no one that 00:05:20.620 --> 00:05:23.690 align:middle line:84% can tell your story better than yourself. 00:05:23.690 --> 00:05:26.170 align:middle line:84% And I also believe in empowering marginalized individuals 00:05:26.170 --> 00:05:27.940 align:middle line:90% to be their own storytellers. 00:05:27.940 --> 00:05:30.970 align:middle line:84% So oftentimes, photography and documentary film 00:05:30.970 --> 00:05:32.800 align:middle line:90% can be really exploitative. 00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:34.630 align:middle line:84% When work is made from this perspective 00:05:34.630 --> 00:05:37.180 align:middle line:84% of an outsider looking in, you can really 00:05:37.180 --> 00:05:41.990 align:middle line:84% tell versus when something is more organic or authentic. 00:05:41.990 --> 00:05:44.060 align:middle line:84% I think that bias is always going to be there. 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:46.570 align:middle line:84% But I think that there are a lot of ways and steps 00:05:46.570 --> 00:05:48.970 align:middle line:84% that we can be a little bit more intentional about it 00:05:48.970 --> 00:05:51.860 align:middle line:90% and minimize it. 00:05:51.860 --> 00:05:54.895 align:middle line:84% So let's take a look at the next slide. 00:05:54.895 --> 00:05:58.260 align:middle line:90% 00:05:58.260 --> 00:06:02.280 align:middle line:84% This is just a little introduction to my photography. 00:06:02.280 --> 00:06:04.530 align:middle line:84% We'll definitely be talking about some of the projects 00:06:04.530 --> 00:06:09.810 align:middle line:84% throughout this and kind of what I did in those projects 00:06:09.810 --> 00:06:15.330 align:middle line:84% to ensure that I had a connection with all 00:06:15.330 --> 00:06:17.370 align:middle line:90% of the subjects beforehand. 00:06:17.370 --> 00:06:18.855 align:middle line:90% So let's go to the next slide. 00:06:18.855 --> 00:06:22.460 align:middle line:90% 00:06:22.460 --> 00:06:24.650 align:middle line:84% So let's say you're starting a new art project 00:06:24.650 --> 00:06:26.090 align:middle line:84% and you're kind of wondering where 00:06:26.090 --> 00:06:30.590 align:middle line:84% to begin, I feel like you really have to intimately know 00:06:30.590 --> 00:06:32.690 align:middle line:84% a community in order to capture it well, 00:06:32.690 --> 00:06:35.540 align:middle line:84% and the communities that you're in, or the ones that best. 00:06:35.540 --> 00:06:39.627 align:middle line:84% So to me, it's like if I'm an Asian-American person, 00:06:39.627 --> 00:06:41.210 align:middle line:84% how can I trust an Asian-American film 00:06:41.210 --> 00:06:45.440 align:middle line:84% if the director is white, or if it's 00:06:45.440 --> 00:06:49.672 align:middle line:84% a photo shoot about trans people and they're barely 00:06:49.672 --> 00:06:51.380 align:middle line:84% any trans people on the production staff, 00:06:51.380 --> 00:06:52.920 align:middle line:84% like, how can I trust that as well? 00:06:52.920 --> 00:06:55.640 align:middle line:84% I actually have an example of that. 00:06:55.640 --> 00:06:57.800 align:middle line:84% I modeled for this high-budget photo shoot. 00:06:57.800 --> 00:07:01.710 align:middle line:90% 00:07:01.710 --> 00:07:05.850 align:middle line:84% It was about trans people in our stories there were four models. 00:07:05.850 --> 00:07:09.540 align:middle line:84% That picture on the right, that's from that shoot. 00:07:09.540 --> 00:07:12.090 align:middle line:84% So that's not one that I made, but I was in it. 00:07:12.090 --> 00:07:15.900 align:middle line:84% And the entire lead production staff, they were all cis. 00:07:15.900 --> 00:07:17.460 align:middle line:84% And they had really great intentions. 00:07:17.460 --> 00:07:18.580 align:middle line:90% They were queer as well. 00:07:18.580 --> 00:07:22.980 align:middle line:84% So like a cis gay men, a lot of them, and straight girls. 00:07:22.980 --> 00:07:26.083 align:middle line:84% So they had really great intentions. 00:07:26.083 --> 00:07:27.750 align:middle line:84% They wanted to learn about trans issues, 00:07:27.750 --> 00:07:29.850 align:middle line:84% but it was really evident to me in their planning meetings 00:07:29.850 --> 00:07:32.210 align:middle line:84% that I was a part of, and to the other trans models 00:07:32.210 --> 00:07:33.960 align:middle line:84% that they didn't really do enough research 00:07:33.960 --> 00:07:36.450 align:middle line:90% and education beforehand. 00:07:36.450 --> 00:07:37.873 align:middle line:90% I use they/them pronouns. 00:07:37.873 --> 00:07:39.540 align:middle line:84% And I think that sometimes at the shoot, 00:07:39.540 --> 00:07:43.290 align:middle line:84% people did have issues gendering me correctly. 00:07:43.290 --> 00:07:46.620 align:middle line:84% And I was kind of warned about that beforehand. 00:07:46.620 --> 00:07:49.860 align:middle line:84% I also got asked some questions during the video interview 00:07:49.860 --> 00:07:54.330 align:middle line:84% portion, where I felt like they made some assumptions 00:07:54.330 --> 00:07:57.840 align:middle line:84% about trans people, like maybe that trans people have issues 00:07:57.840 --> 00:08:01.590 align:middle line:84% with themselves rather than us having issues with society 00:08:01.590 --> 00:08:02.340 align:middle line:90% being transphobic. 00:08:02.340 --> 00:08:05.970 align:middle line:84% So it just showed to me that they didn't really 00:08:05.970 --> 00:08:07.770 align:middle line:90% do enough research. 00:08:07.770 --> 00:08:10.200 align:middle line:84% Out of the 30 staff, they had a lot 00:08:10.200 --> 00:08:14.100 align:middle line:84% of makeup and hair people and video staff, 00:08:14.100 --> 00:08:16.398 align:middle line:90% and whatnot on the shoot. 00:08:16.398 --> 00:08:18.690 align:middle line:84% They probably had about 30 people, and only two of them 00:08:18.690 --> 00:08:19.140 align:middle line:90% were trans. 00:08:19.140 --> 00:08:20.280 align:middle line:84% And they were definitely the people 00:08:20.280 --> 00:08:22.170 align:middle line:84% that I felt the most comfortable around. 00:08:22.170 --> 00:08:25.890 align:middle line:84% So kind of reflecting on that sort of an example of, 00:08:25.890 --> 00:08:28.230 align:middle line:84% like, OK, this is what happens when 00:08:28.230 --> 00:08:30.870 align:middle line:84% you aren't prepared to engage with the community 00:08:30.870 --> 00:08:33.419 align:middle line:90% that you don't know super well. 00:08:33.419 --> 00:08:35.130 align:middle line:84% What I think that they needed to do 00:08:35.130 --> 00:08:40.370 align:middle line:84% was that they probably should have 00:08:40.370 --> 00:08:42.679 align:middle line:84% hired a trans consultant or an educator 00:08:42.679 --> 00:08:46.130 align:middle line:84% to run a trans 101 training for all their staff beforehand, 00:08:46.130 --> 00:08:48.092 align:middle line:84% so that way they weren't asking us. 00:08:48.092 --> 00:08:50.300 align:middle line:84% It's, like, I came into the project mentally prepared 00:08:50.300 --> 00:08:51.450 align:middle line:90% for this to happen. 00:08:51.450 --> 00:08:53.750 align:middle line:84% And I did have the energy to sort of educate 00:08:53.750 --> 00:08:54.530 align:middle line:90% people that day. 00:08:54.530 --> 00:08:56.810 align:middle line:84% But at the end of it all, it's like I was paid 00:08:56.810 --> 00:08:58.440 align:middle line:90% to be a model, not an educator. 00:08:58.440 --> 00:09:00.298 align:middle line:84% And I know that this situation, it 00:09:00.298 --> 00:09:02.090 align:middle line:84% would have made a lot of other trans people 00:09:02.090 --> 00:09:03.080 align:middle line:90% pretty uncomfortable. 00:09:03.080 --> 00:09:05.180 align:middle line:84% So, yeah, first was like educating themselves 00:09:05.180 --> 00:09:06.470 align:middle line:90% beforehand. 00:09:06.470 --> 00:09:10.340 align:middle line:84% Second was that I wish that they had hired more trans producers 00:09:10.340 --> 00:09:13.070 align:middle line:90% and crew for the photo shoot. 00:09:13.070 --> 00:09:16.850 align:middle line:84% I wish that they had hired at least a trans lead 00:09:16.850 --> 00:09:19.185 align:middle line:84% person for the video crew because everyone there 00:09:19.185 --> 00:09:20.060 align:middle line:90% was just as straight. 00:09:20.060 --> 00:09:22.550 align:middle line:84% And although they handled things very respectfully 00:09:22.550 --> 00:09:25.100 align:middle line:84% and from a well-intentioned place, 00:09:25.100 --> 00:09:29.318 align:middle line:84% they didn't really fully understand trans experience. 00:09:29.318 --> 00:09:30.860 align:middle line:84% And a lot of stuff that I was saying, 00:09:30.860 --> 00:09:33.170 align:middle line:84% it was, like, their first time hearing about it. 00:09:33.170 --> 00:09:36.290 align:middle line:84% So after the photo shoot, and more specifically 00:09:36.290 --> 00:09:37.970 align:middle line:84% the video shoot came out, my friend 00:09:37.970 --> 00:09:39.720 align:middle line:84% who was the other model kind of complained 00:09:39.720 --> 00:09:43.850 align:middle line:84% that they only included surface level things 00:09:43.850 --> 00:09:47.030 align:middle line:84% that they had said in the video about their trans identity 00:09:47.030 --> 00:09:48.020 align:middle line:90% in the video. 00:09:48.020 --> 00:09:51.530 align:middle line:84% And my response to that is because as a video editor, 00:09:51.530 --> 00:09:53.900 align:middle line:84% you're only going to choose to edit 00:09:53.900 --> 00:09:55.580 align:middle line:90% in what you can understand. 00:09:55.580 --> 00:09:58.160 align:middle line:84% So it's like if the video editor didn't 00:09:58.160 --> 00:10:02.240 align:middle line:84% have a very broad understanding of trans experience 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:05.090 align:middle line:84% and some of the things were too complex that they couldn't 00:10:05.090 --> 00:10:07.053 align:middle line:84% understand it, then they're not going to edit 00:10:07.053 --> 00:10:08.220 align:middle line:90% those things into the video. 00:10:08.220 --> 00:10:11.210 align:middle line:84% And so as a result, the final product just 00:10:11.210 --> 00:10:14.300 align:middle line:90% wasn't as complex or unique. 00:10:14.300 --> 00:10:18.230 align:middle line:84% And it definitely felt more like a trans 101. 00:10:18.230 --> 00:10:23.960 align:middle line:84% So when I start the process of sort 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:26.120 align:middle line:84% of thinking over what type of projects 00:10:26.120 --> 00:10:29.540 align:middle line:90% that I want to work on first. 00:10:29.540 --> 00:10:32.360 align:middle line:84% I just start to list out what are the communities 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:34.700 align:middle line:84% and identities, and have a big or small 00:10:34.700 --> 00:10:36.650 align:middle line:90% that I'm a part of that. 00:10:36.650 --> 00:10:37.520 align:middle line:90% Mean a lot to me. 00:10:37.520 --> 00:10:40.470 align:middle line:90% So this could be location based. 00:10:40.470 --> 00:10:42.950 align:middle line:84% It could be about like my hometown, current city, 00:10:42.950 --> 00:10:47.780 align:middle line:84% my neighborhood, the school that I went to or go to, 00:10:47.780 --> 00:10:50.060 align:middle line:84% could be about gender sexuality, race, ethnicity. 00:10:50.060 --> 00:10:52.550 align:middle line:84% And it could also be things like hobbies and sports. 00:10:52.550 --> 00:10:55.670 align:middle line:84% Like maybe you're part of a community garden 00:10:55.670 --> 00:10:58.100 align:middle line:84% and you want to make a film about that, 00:10:58.100 --> 00:11:02.780 align:middle line:84% or you're a skateboarder, and a lot of different things. 00:11:02.780 --> 00:11:05.720 align:middle line:84% The stuff with sports is so interesting 00:11:05.720 --> 00:11:13.010 align:middle line:84% because I was also in a shoot where it was surfing related. 00:11:13.010 --> 00:11:17.870 align:middle line:84% And the videographer for this was a surfer. 00:11:17.870 --> 00:11:20.030 align:middle line:84% And so because he's a surfer, he knows 00:11:20.030 --> 00:11:22.370 align:middle line:84% how to anticipate when things are going to happen. 00:11:22.370 --> 00:11:24.840 align:middle line:84% Like, he can tell, OK, that's a surfer ball wave. 00:11:24.840 --> 00:11:26.570 align:middle line:84% So I'm going to get my camera ready 00:11:26.570 --> 00:11:28.320 align:middle line:84% because maybe someone's going to catch it. 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:30.530 align:middle line:84% And we were totally joking around saying, like, 00:11:30.530 --> 00:11:33.470 align:middle line:84% OK, well, it's a good thing that he's a surfer too because if he 00:11:33.470 --> 00:11:35.390 align:middle line:84% wasn't, maybe he'd be telling us to wax 00:11:35.390 --> 00:11:37.550 align:middle line:84% the surfboard like on the back of it rather than the front. 00:11:37.550 --> 00:11:40.008 align:middle line:84% Or he'd, like, positioned us wrong, or something like that. 00:11:40.008 --> 00:11:42.680 align:middle line:84% So it's, like, identity, like, broad, like, big identity 00:11:42.680 --> 00:11:46.610 align:middle line:84% stuff aside, like, even with things, like, sports. 00:11:46.610 --> 00:11:48.452 align:middle line:84% It's, like, when you do the activity, 00:11:48.452 --> 00:11:50.660 align:middle line:84% you know how to shoot it better because you know what 00:11:50.660 --> 00:11:54.390 align:middle line:90% to anticipate, and all of that. 00:11:54.390 --> 00:11:56.810 align:middle line:84% So, yeah, if anybody has anything else 00:11:56.810 --> 00:12:00.770 align:middle line:84% to add to this list, feel free to put it in the chat. 00:12:00.770 --> 00:12:03.200 align:middle line:84% So in general, I just think what kind of story 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:04.310 align:middle line:90% do I want to tell. 00:12:04.310 --> 00:12:08.150 align:middle line:84% If we're talking about future projects right now, for me, 00:12:08.150 --> 00:12:09.293 align:middle line:90% that would be-- 00:12:09.293 --> 00:12:10.460 align:middle line:90% I've been thinking about it. 00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:12.002 align:middle line:84% And it's like I've made lots of stuff 00:12:12.002 --> 00:12:14.720 align:middle line:84% on trans and gender related things. 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:17.390 align:middle line:84% Now, I'm thinking, like, OK, well, my father 00:12:17.390 --> 00:12:18.560 align:middle line:90% is an immigrant. 00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:20.960 align:middle line:84% He's lived abroad, in China, my whole life. 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:23.333 align:middle line:84% And we have a lot of difficulty communicating 00:12:23.333 --> 00:12:24.500 align:middle line:90% because of language barrier. 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:26.750 align:middle line:84% And I know that this is something that a lot of people 00:12:26.750 --> 00:12:28.340 align:middle line:90% would probably relate to. 00:12:28.340 --> 00:12:31.550 align:middle line:84% So this story is something that's in my lane 00:12:31.550 --> 00:12:33.710 align:middle line:84% that I can tell because it's very personal to me. 00:12:33.710 --> 00:12:34.580 align:middle line:90% It's my family. 00:12:34.580 --> 00:12:36.560 align:middle line:90% It's my culture. 00:12:36.560 --> 00:12:39.440 align:middle line:84% Another one that I was thinking about 00:12:39.440 --> 00:12:44.642 align:middle line:84% recently has been maybe a short film about bisexual expansion 00:12:44.642 --> 00:12:46.100 align:middle line:84% or something I'm writing right now. 00:12:46.100 --> 00:12:49.825 align:middle line:84% And the setting that it takes place in is within boxing. 00:12:49.825 --> 00:12:50.450 align:middle line:90% I'm an athlete. 00:12:50.450 --> 00:12:51.200 align:middle line:90% I'm a personal trainer. 00:12:51.200 --> 00:12:52.160 align:middle line:90% I take boxing classes. 00:12:52.160 --> 00:12:54.050 align:middle line:84% So it just feels very natural and fitting, 00:12:54.050 --> 00:12:57.720 align:middle line:84% like I know, like, the look and feel of that environment. 00:12:57.720 --> 00:12:59.660 align:middle line:84% And I can capture that authentically. 00:12:59.660 --> 00:13:04.730 align:middle line:84% So things like a project that I haven't ever touched on 00:13:04.730 --> 00:13:07.370 align:middle line:84% is something that's related to Trans Day of Remembrance. 00:13:07.370 --> 00:13:08.480 align:middle line:90% I am a trans person. 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:09.650 align:middle line:90% I am part of the community. 00:13:09.650 --> 00:13:15.750 align:middle line:84% But I've just never felt like that 00:13:15.750 --> 00:13:21.230 align:middle line:84% was my lane to make art about since anti-trans violence 00:13:21.230 --> 00:13:24.020 align:middle line:84% usually affects Black and Brown trans women and femmes, 00:13:24.020 --> 00:13:29.103 align:middle line:84% and me as this cis assumed transmasculine person. 00:13:29.103 --> 00:13:31.020 align:middle line:84% In most spaces, people don't read me as trans. 00:13:31.020 --> 00:13:33.110 align:middle line:84% So in most spaces, I feel very safe. 00:13:33.110 --> 00:13:36.800 align:middle line:84% So even though I am in the trans community, 00:13:36.800 --> 00:13:38.600 align:middle line:84% I felt like doing a project about that, 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:41.720 align:middle line:84% it just wasn't really in my lane to do. 00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:46.670 align:middle line:84% And I see that somebody put disability and mental health 00:13:46.670 --> 00:13:47.960 align:middle line:90% on the list. 00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:55.850 align:middle line:84% That absolutely is something that should be on there too. 00:13:55.850 --> 00:13:56.350 align:middle line:90% OK. 00:13:56.350 --> 00:13:58.970 align:middle line:90% 00:13:58.970 --> 00:14:01.640 align:middle line:84% So I think overall, the project that you're doing, 00:14:01.640 --> 00:14:05.381 align:middle line:84% it doesn't have to exactly be about you. 00:14:05.381 --> 00:14:09.210 align:middle line:84% It could be something that's broader within your community. 00:14:09.210 --> 00:14:11.722 align:middle line:84% But you should definitely be involved 00:14:11.722 --> 00:14:14.180 align:middle line:84% like in that community, whatever it is, as much as you can. 00:14:14.180 --> 00:14:17.730 align:middle line:84% And I'll explain a little bit more of that later. 00:14:17.730 --> 00:14:20.990 align:middle line:84% But overall, I think it's super important 00:14:20.990 --> 00:14:23.720 align:middle line:84% that connection with a community, 00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:26.180 align:middle line:84% that you're a part of, is already there 00:14:26.180 --> 00:14:27.890 align:middle line:84% because you can't really establish 00:14:27.890 --> 00:14:29.510 align:middle line:84% proper trust with someone no matter 00:14:29.510 --> 00:14:30.742 align:middle line:90% how good your intentions are. 00:14:30.742 --> 00:14:32.450 align:middle line:84% You're going to get uncomfortable models. 00:14:32.450 --> 00:14:34.550 align:middle line:84% You're going to get people who may not open up to you 00:14:34.550 --> 00:14:35.150 align:middle line:90% all the way. 00:14:35.150 --> 00:14:37.410 align:middle line:84% You're not going to get the most authentic story. 00:14:37.410 --> 00:14:40.880 align:middle line:84% And I also think that it's worth evaluating what type of gaze 00:14:40.880 --> 00:14:43.280 align:middle line:84% you bring into the project as an artist 00:14:43.280 --> 00:14:45.487 align:middle line:84% when capturing people of a specific community. 00:14:45.487 --> 00:14:46.820 align:middle line:90% There's always going to be bias. 00:14:46.820 --> 00:14:51.690 align:middle line:84% But the question is, what can we really do to minimize it? 00:14:51.690 --> 00:14:54.410 align:middle line:90% Next slide. 00:14:54.410 --> 00:14:57.190 align:middle line:84% So let's say you decided on a topic 00:14:57.190 --> 00:15:00.880 align:middle line:84% that you want to create work about. 00:15:00.880 --> 00:15:04.360 align:middle line:84% Whatever it is, I think it's important to understand 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:06.580 align:middle line:90% your role as an artist. 00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:12.220 align:middle line:84% Photography has the potential to be a really predatory space. 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:14.500 align:middle line:84% I've had a lot of femme friends tell me 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:16.270 align:middle line:84% that someone offers to shoot them, 00:15:16.270 --> 00:15:18.700 align:middle line:90% but really it's just flirting. 00:15:18.700 --> 00:15:22.990 align:middle line:84% Or I've heard people encounter sexual harassment 00:15:22.990 --> 00:15:24.400 align:middle line:90% by photographers on photoshoots. 00:15:24.400 --> 00:15:27.580 align:middle line:84% So I try to be very aware that people 00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:31.420 align:middle line:84% might have had that sort of experience before in the way 00:15:31.420 --> 00:15:33.740 align:middle line:90% that I interact with them. 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:38.613 align:middle line:84% So one thing that I think, as an artist that you should do, 00:15:38.613 --> 00:15:40.780 align:middle line:84% is be really clear about the purpose of your project 00:15:40.780 --> 00:15:43.340 align:middle line:90% and make the expectations clear. 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:45.410 align:middle line:84% Both photography and documentary filmmaking 00:15:45.410 --> 00:15:50.270 align:middle line:84% can be exploitative spaces, where the artist profits off 00:15:50.270 --> 00:15:52.010 align:middle line:84% of the images and stories of others. 00:15:52.010 --> 00:15:53.120 align:middle line:90% Stories can be glorified. 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:55.850 align:middle line:84% They can be oversimplified or sensationalized. 00:15:55.850 --> 00:15:59.720 align:middle line:84% If you're not careful, and it could even maybe perpetuate 00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:00.830 align:middle line:90% some stereotypes. 00:16:00.830 --> 00:16:04.380 align:middle line:84% So definitely come to the subject where 00:16:04.380 --> 00:16:07.020 align:middle line:84% the community prepared and educated, 00:16:07.020 --> 00:16:09.430 align:middle line:84% either with your personal experience or connection, 00:16:09.430 --> 00:16:11.260 align:middle line:90% and lots of research as well. 00:16:11.260 --> 00:16:13.568 align:middle line:84% So the example would have been that photoshoot 00:16:13.568 --> 00:16:14.610 align:middle line:90% that I had been in prior. 00:16:14.610 --> 00:16:17.840 align:middle line:90% 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:20.930 align:middle line:84% That photo shoot that I had been in been in prior, 00:16:20.930 --> 00:16:24.380 align:middle line:84% I would say that definitely was a little bit sensationalized 00:16:24.380 --> 00:16:29.000 align:middle line:84% because they didn't come with enough education . 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:34.260 align:middle line:90% Beforehand 00:16:34.260 --> 00:16:36.510 align:middle line:84% And then be respectful to the subjects 00:16:36.510 --> 00:16:38.130 align:middle line:90% and the community at all times. 00:16:38.130 --> 00:16:39.760 align:middle line:84% I felt like that's really obvious, 00:16:39.760 --> 00:16:44.400 align:middle line:84% but I've just seen so many artists-- 00:16:44.400 --> 00:16:47.610 align:middle line:84% I've seen so many artists just not really, I guess, 00:16:47.610 --> 00:16:48.300 align:middle line:90% do that step. 00:16:48.300 --> 00:16:52.440 align:middle line:84% It's so simple, but I think that sometimes there 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:54.030 align:middle line:84% have been shoots where people are 00:16:54.030 --> 00:16:56.130 align:middle line:84% in where it's like, yeah, the interaction 00:16:56.130 --> 00:16:58.240 align:middle line:84% with the photographer has been very short. 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.252 align:middle line:90% They ask you to come on. 00:16:59.252 --> 00:17:00.210 align:middle line:90% They take your picture. 00:17:00.210 --> 00:17:02.700 align:middle line:84% You get some nice free pictures, but that's about it. 00:17:02.700 --> 00:17:04.829 align:middle line:84% Really, it's like this person maybe 00:17:04.829 --> 00:17:07.290 align:middle line:84% did it to make their own photo book. 00:17:07.290 --> 00:17:10.260 align:middle line:84% And they're not really showing care to the people 00:17:10.260 --> 00:17:13.170 align:middle line:90% that they're interacting with. 00:17:13.170 --> 00:17:13.875 align:middle line:90% OK, next slide. 00:17:13.875 --> 00:17:18.390 align:middle line:90% 00:17:18.390 --> 00:17:21.270 align:middle line:84% Capture the subject and community as authentically 00:17:21.270 --> 00:17:22.140 align:middle line:90% as possible. 00:17:22.140 --> 00:17:23.550 align:middle line:90% The best work is collaborative. 00:17:23.550 --> 00:17:26.460 align:middle line:84% So make sure that you get the subject's input 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:28.965 align:middle line:84% and that they're part of the process. 00:17:28.965 --> 00:17:32.720 align:middle line:90% 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:34.790 align:middle line:84% Even if you're part of a specific community, 00:17:34.790 --> 00:17:35.707 align:middle line:90% everyone is different. 00:17:35.707 --> 00:17:37.750 align:middle line:84% So just knowing that and not making assumptions 00:17:37.750 --> 00:17:38.800 align:middle line:90% when you come into that. 00:17:38.800 --> 00:17:40.450 align:middle line:84% For example, just because I'm trans, 00:17:40.450 --> 00:17:44.020 align:middle line:84% that doesn't mean that I understand the experience 00:17:44.020 --> 00:17:45.370 align:middle line:90% of every trans person. 00:17:45.370 --> 00:17:50.132 align:middle line:84% So I'm not going to go in there assuming that they're going 00:17:50.132 --> 00:17:51.340 align:middle line:90% to have the same story as me. 00:17:51.340 --> 00:17:54.130 align:middle line:90% So coming in there, open-minded. 00:17:54.130 --> 00:17:55.960 align:middle line:84% There's that trust in connection already 00:17:55.960 --> 00:18:00.010 align:middle line:84% because we're both blank, but still assumptions 00:18:00.010 --> 00:18:02.690 align:middle line:90% can lead to a lot of bias. 00:18:02.690 --> 00:18:04.460 align:middle line:84% And I can make the models uncomfortable 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:05.990 align:middle line:90% and not show up their best. 00:18:05.990 --> 00:18:11.850 align:middle line:84% So just kind of leaving those things at the door. 00:18:11.850 --> 00:18:12.425 align:middle line:90% Next slide. 00:18:12.425 --> 00:18:15.800 align:middle line:90% 00:18:15.800 --> 00:18:19.060 align:middle line:84% So some examples that I'll talk about, 00:18:19.060 --> 00:18:24.520 align:middle line:84% I have this series that I did earlier last year. 00:18:24.520 --> 00:18:26.350 align:middle line:90% And it's the trans-- 00:18:26.350 --> 00:18:27.400 align:middle line:90% sorry, it's not trans. 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:30.910 align:middle line:84% It's the Mask Heartthrob series, which 00:18:30.910 --> 00:18:33.490 align:middle line:84% is a caricature of masculinity, a queer-fied version 00:18:33.490 --> 00:18:36.550 align:middle line:84% of all of the iconic masculine heartthrob 00:18:36.550 --> 00:18:42.040 align:middle line:84% archetypes that we see on TV and movies that we had a crush on, 00:18:42.040 --> 00:18:44.510 align:middle line:90% or that we want it to be. 00:18:44.510 --> 00:18:47.290 align:middle line:84% So I came up with this project because I was reflecting 00:18:47.290 --> 00:18:49.840 align:middle line:90% on my own masculinity one day. 00:18:49.840 --> 00:18:51.760 align:middle line:84% I feel like as a transmasculine person, 00:18:51.760 --> 00:18:54.820 align:middle line:84% there's a lot of pressure to not perpetuate 00:18:54.820 --> 00:18:57.230 align:middle line:90% the same harm as cis men. 00:18:57.230 --> 00:19:00.750 align:middle line:84% And because of that, I think that I've 00:19:00.750 --> 00:19:03.840 align:middle line:84% seen between my peers and I that we 00:19:03.840 --> 00:19:07.380 align:middle line:84% will avoid certain things because we 00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:11.350 align:middle line:90% feel like it's masculine. 00:19:11.350 --> 00:19:18.400 align:middle line:84% And sometimes we see that as conflated with toxicity, 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:21.370 align:middle line:84% even though masculinity isn't inherently toxic. 00:19:21.370 --> 00:19:24.900 align:middle line:84% So I wanted to have this project that 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:30.160 align:middle line:84% really celebrated masculinity in, like, a fun, playful way. 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:32.220 align:middle line:84% So when I did the casting for this project, 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:35.760 align:middle line:84% I wanted to find a broad range of voices in queer masculinity. 00:19:35.760 --> 00:19:39.690 align:middle line:84% I didn't want it to just be transmasculine people because I 00:19:39.690 --> 00:19:43.170 align:middle line:84% wanted to have the project sort of speak 00:19:43.170 --> 00:19:46.582 align:middle line:84% to the fact that masculinity doesn't just belong to men. 00:19:46.582 --> 00:19:47.790 align:middle line:90% It doesn't belong to cis men. 00:19:47.790 --> 00:19:49.620 align:middle line:90% It doesn't belong to trans guys. 00:19:49.620 --> 00:19:51.870 align:middle line:84% It can belong to androgynous people. 00:19:51.870 --> 00:19:53.850 align:middle line:84% People who use she/her or they/them. 00:19:53.850 --> 00:19:57.970 align:middle line:84% And people of all sorts of identities. 00:19:57.970 --> 00:20:01.360 align:middle line:84% So I found a lot of different people. 00:20:01.360 --> 00:20:02.250 align:middle line:90% I did a casting call. 00:20:02.250 --> 00:20:04.110 align:middle line:84% A lot of different people hit me up. 00:20:04.110 --> 00:20:08.940 align:middle line:84% And you know, I had one on one conversations with each of them 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:13.200 align:middle line:84% about their relationships with masculinity 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:15.947 align:middle line:84% and how they saw themselves, fitting or not 00:20:15.947 --> 00:20:16.905 align:middle line:90% fitting into that role. 00:20:16.905 --> 00:20:20.050 align:middle line:90% 00:20:20.050 --> 00:20:23.890 align:middle line:84% I wanted to really make sure that I collaborated with them 00:20:23.890 --> 00:20:26.740 align:middle line:84% to make sure that they were portrayed 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.970 align:middle line:90% how they want it to be. 00:20:27.970 --> 00:20:29.800 align:middle line:84% I worked with them on picking the character 00:20:29.800 --> 00:20:30.758 align:middle line:90% that they'd be shot in. 00:20:30.758 --> 00:20:34.780 align:middle line:84% So for example, like I would list out sort of the things 00:20:34.780 --> 00:20:36.550 align:middle line:84% that I would see in movies and TV a lot. 00:20:36.550 --> 00:20:38.800 align:middle line:84% So on the left there is like the rock star, 00:20:38.800 --> 00:20:40.137 align:middle line:90% in this case, a punk rocker. 00:20:40.137 --> 00:20:41.470 align:middle line:90% In the middle, there's the jock. 00:20:41.470 --> 00:20:43.810 align:middle line:84% We see that all the time in, like, pretty much 00:20:43.810 --> 00:20:45.280 align:middle line:90% like every teen movie. 00:20:45.280 --> 00:20:48.408 align:middle line:90% On the right is the K-pop star. 00:20:48.408 --> 00:20:49.450 align:middle line:90% Can go to the next slide? 00:20:49.450 --> 00:20:52.150 align:middle line:90% 00:20:52.150 --> 00:20:53.830 align:middle line:90% On the left here, vampire. 00:20:53.830 --> 00:20:57.610 align:middle line:84% In the middle, the fairy tale prince. 00:20:57.610 --> 00:20:59.860 align:middle line:84% And then on the right, the skater. 00:20:59.860 --> 00:21:01.983 align:middle line:84% So I would list out a bunch of different things 00:21:01.983 --> 00:21:04.150 align:middle line:84% that I saw in movies, longer than the list of people 00:21:04.150 --> 00:21:05.560 align:middle line:90% that I actually had as models. 00:21:05.560 --> 00:21:08.860 align:middle line:84% And I would brainstorm and work with these people 00:21:08.860 --> 00:21:11.060 align:middle line:90% on what fit them the best. 00:21:11.060 --> 00:21:13.018 align:middle line:84% So if this wasn't a collaborative process, 00:21:13.018 --> 00:21:15.560 align:middle line:84% I could have just looked at the person's picture and be like, 00:21:15.560 --> 00:21:18.103 align:middle line:84% OK, well you're cute, and assign them characters, 00:21:18.103 --> 00:21:19.270 align:middle line:90% and then never talk to them. 00:21:19.270 --> 00:21:21.680 align:middle line:84% But I want it to be collaborative. 00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:24.100 align:middle line:90% So we had ongoing discussions. 00:21:24.100 --> 00:21:26.282 align:middle line:84% And everybody here also worked individually 00:21:26.282 --> 00:21:28.240 align:middle line:84% with our stylists to make sure that the clothes 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:30.250 align:middle line:84% that they had made them comfortable. 00:21:30.250 --> 00:21:34.330 align:middle line:84% So they came into the project knowing what it was, like 00:21:34.330 --> 00:21:37.270 align:middle line:84% that it was going to be everyone playing 00:21:37.270 --> 00:21:39.640 align:middle line:84% into this masculine character, playing that up, 00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:41.530 align:middle line:90% that masculine side of them. 00:21:41.530 --> 00:21:45.238 align:middle line:84% But I wanted to still let them have control over, 00:21:45.238 --> 00:21:46.780 align:middle line:84% like, what that looked like, and what 00:21:46.780 --> 00:21:50.440 align:middle line:84% that meant, and the clothing so that they felt real 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:52.960 align:middle line:84% and they felt good about it being published. 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:56.390 align:middle line:90% 00:21:56.390 --> 00:22:00.070 align:middle line:84% My other example, on the next slide, 00:22:00.070 --> 00:22:04.710 align:middle line:84% is my series trans and gender nonconforming naked paint 00:22:04.710 --> 00:22:05.210 align:middle line:90% party. 00:22:05.210 --> 00:22:08.530 align:middle line:84% This was done-- this was a project I shot 50 trans people 00:22:08.530 --> 00:22:10.720 align:middle line:90% over six or so photoshoots. 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:13.720 align:middle line:84% Each group add 5 to 15 people in it. 00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:16.090 align:middle line:84% The shoots were four to six hours long. 00:22:16.090 --> 00:22:21.330 align:middle line:84% And in order to establish trust, we 00:22:21.330 --> 00:22:26.040 align:middle line:84% would always start out with a group discussion about bodies, 00:22:26.040 --> 00:22:29.130 align:middle line:84% body image, dysphoria, really anything 00:22:29.130 --> 00:22:31.180 align:middle line:84% that the participants wanted to talk about. 00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:32.490 align:middle line:84% So that way, they could establish trust 00:22:32.490 --> 00:22:33.157 align:middle line:90% with each other. 00:22:33.157 --> 00:22:35.850 align:middle line:84% And this was also our time to talk about consent 00:22:35.850 --> 00:22:37.680 align:middle line:90% and set ground rules. 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:40.560 align:middle line:84% So that would always be the first hour of the photo shoot. 00:22:40.560 --> 00:22:43.650 align:middle line:84% The next hour or two was the actual painting. 00:22:43.650 --> 00:22:44.640 align:middle line:90% Everyone strips. 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:46.590 align:middle line:84% I, myself, also strips so that way I 00:22:46.590 --> 00:22:48.480 align:middle line:84% get on the same level as everyone else 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:51.630 align:middle line:84% and lessen that power dynamic just 00:22:51.630 --> 00:22:54.330 align:middle line:84% because as the photographer or the creator of a project, 00:22:54.330 --> 00:22:58.290 align:middle line:84% there's always going to be this inherent power dynamic. 00:22:58.290 --> 00:23:00.210 align:middle line:84% Or that's a lot of times assumed. 00:23:00.210 --> 00:23:02.683 align:middle line:84% And I work really hard to sort of set 00:23:02.683 --> 00:23:04.350 align:middle line:84% the role that back a little bit and make 00:23:04.350 --> 00:23:06.450 align:middle line:84% it feel really collaborative, like, this is my project, 00:23:06.450 --> 00:23:07.720 align:middle line:90% but this is yours as well. 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:09.300 align:middle line:84% So that was one thing that I would 00:23:09.300 --> 00:23:12.300 align:middle line:84% do to make people comfortable in the beginning. 00:23:12.300 --> 00:23:14.520 align:middle line:84% And even before that, I would have 00:23:14.520 --> 00:23:17.790 align:middle line:84% sign up form for participants that had 00:23:17.790 --> 00:23:19.620 align:middle line:90% them answer a lot of questions. 00:23:19.620 --> 00:23:22.140 align:middle line:84% First, I had like a long statement 00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:25.890 align:middle line:84% on this form about the origin story of my project, what 00:23:25.890 --> 00:23:28.170 align:middle line:84% it meant to me personally as a trans person, what 00:23:28.170 --> 00:23:31.290 align:middle line:84% my intentions were with this, and also stated 00:23:31.290 --> 00:23:33.000 align:middle line:84% that this project was not sexual. 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:36.180 align:middle line:84% So this was probably like a 1 and 1/2 page Word document 00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:37.590 align:middle line:90% worth of words. 00:23:37.590 --> 00:23:39.707 align:middle line:84% I was very vulnerable with the models 00:23:39.707 --> 00:23:41.790 align:middle line:84% or the people who are interested in the photoshoot 00:23:41.790 --> 00:23:42.820 align:middle line:90% about my story. 00:23:42.820 --> 00:23:47.840 align:middle line:84% So in turn, they would feel safe for being vulnerable with me. 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:53.210 align:middle line:84% And the questions included, what is your relationship 00:23:53.210 --> 00:23:55.640 align:middle line:84% with your body as a trans or non-binary person? 00:23:55.640 --> 00:23:58.520 align:middle line:84% Examples, I feel dysphoric because of a body part. 00:23:58.520 --> 00:24:02.120 align:middle line:84% I feel more dysphoric because of hormones than before. 00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:05.060 align:middle line:84% I suffer from eating disorder or self-harm because of dysphoria. 00:24:05.060 --> 00:24:07.250 align:middle line:84% I feel stigmatized for not being trans enough. 00:24:07.250 --> 00:24:10.250 align:middle line:84% So these are just examples that I put to kind of encourage. 00:24:10.250 --> 00:24:13.100 align:middle line:84% Like, you can really talk about anything here. 00:24:13.100 --> 00:24:15.320 align:middle line:84% Another question I had, what's your opinion 00:24:15.320 --> 00:24:17.840 align:middle line:84% on trans representation currently, 00:24:17.840 --> 00:24:20.940 align:middle line:84% name the good and bad, and what you wish to see? 00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:24.150 align:middle line:84% What makes you feel affirmed and validated in your body? 00:24:24.150 --> 00:24:25.860 align:middle line:84% How do you cope slash what do you 00:24:25.860 --> 00:24:27.930 align:middle line:84% do to heal from the ongoing traumas 00:24:27.930 --> 00:24:31.650 align:middle line:84% you face as a trans and/or non-binary person whose 00:24:31.650 --> 00:24:33.570 align:middle line:90% body is constantly stigmatized? 00:24:33.570 --> 00:24:35.337 align:middle line:84% And then the last question was, why 00:24:35.337 --> 00:24:37.170 align:middle line:84% do you want to be a part of this photoshoot? 00:24:37.170 --> 00:24:39.660 align:middle line:84% And what are your expectations, if any? 00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:42.270 align:middle line:84% And these questions are OK for me to ask 00:24:42.270 --> 00:24:43.770 align:middle line:90% because I'm trans myself. 00:24:43.770 --> 00:24:46.140 align:middle line:84% I feel like that kind of has an automatic trust there, 00:24:46.140 --> 00:24:49.110 align:middle line:84% and especially after, like, basically, I 00:24:49.110 --> 00:24:52.652 align:middle line:84% answer all of these questions in my artist statement of why 00:24:52.652 --> 00:24:53.610 align:middle line:90% I'm doing this project. 00:24:53.610 --> 00:24:56.790 align:middle line:90% 00:24:56.790 --> 00:25:00.810 align:middle line:84% This photoshoot-- we can go to the next slide. 00:25:00.810 --> 00:25:03.680 align:middle line:84% So you could just see some of the images that 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:04.520 align:middle line:90% came up from this. 00:25:04.520 --> 00:25:06.478 align:middle line:84% This photoshoot would look very, very different 00:25:06.478 --> 00:25:09.428 align:middle line:84% if I wanted to just photograph naked trans people. 00:25:09.428 --> 00:25:10.970 align:middle line:84% Like, if I was just, like, all right, 00:25:10.970 --> 00:25:13.110 align:middle line:84% everyone has a 15 second time slot. 00:25:13.110 --> 00:25:14.360 align:middle line:90% They're just going to show up. 00:25:14.360 --> 00:25:15.902 align:middle line:84% And I'm just going to photograph you. 00:25:15.902 --> 00:25:20.465 align:middle line:84% I feel like that would create a very different type of image. 00:25:20.465 --> 00:25:23.440 align:middle line:90% Can we go to the next slide? 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:28.770 align:middle line:84% And in this series, didn't hold any expectations 00:25:28.770 --> 00:25:31.080 align:middle line:84% for how people were going to act or feel. 00:25:31.080 --> 00:25:34.350 align:middle line:84% So a lot of the pictures are very joyous. 00:25:34.350 --> 00:25:38.160 align:middle line:84% And it's because over the several hours 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:40.530 align:middle line:84% that all the participants spend together, 00:25:40.530 --> 00:25:45.180 align:middle line:84% we really get to let go and relax over time, 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:49.290 align:middle line:84% and really, like, I guess get to know each other in this space. 00:25:49.290 --> 00:25:53.940 align:middle line:84% And so sometimes joy was very natural in this space. 00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:57.110 align:middle line:90% We go to the next slide. 00:25:57.110 --> 00:25:58.460 align:middle line:90% But sometimes it wasn't. 00:25:58.460 --> 00:26:00.442 align:middle line:84% A lot of people came into this photo shoot. 00:26:00.442 --> 00:26:02.150 align:middle line:84% And on their form, they told me that they 00:26:02.150 --> 00:26:03.957 align:middle line:84% were-- or in the discussion, told 00:26:03.957 --> 00:26:06.290 align:middle line:84% everybody that they were actually really terrified to do 00:26:06.290 --> 00:26:10.010 align:middle line:84% this, but that they felt like it would be, I guess, 00:26:10.010 --> 00:26:14.630 align:middle line:84% challenging and something that would give them perspective. 00:26:14.630 --> 00:26:16.533 align:middle line:84% They wanted to be to challenge themselves 00:26:16.533 --> 00:26:18.200 align:middle line:84% to be a part of an affirming experience, 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:19.867 align:middle line:84% but being naked in front of other people 00:26:19.867 --> 00:26:21.090 align:middle line:90% was scary for them. 00:26:21.090 --> 00:26:24.020 align:middle line:84% And so sometimes portraits would show up more reserved, 00:26:24.020 --> 00:26:27.530 align:middle line:90% like this person on the right. 00:26:27.530 --> 00:26:29.810 align:middle line:84% Sometimes people would like dance and be really extra, 00:26:29.810 --> 00:26:30.602 align:middle line:90% and all this stuff. 00:26:30.602 --> 00:26:33.980 align:middle line:84% But for example, this person on the right, in the blue, 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:36.470 align:middle line:84% and many other participants, they were a little bit more 00:26:36.470 --> 00:26:37.050 align:middle line:90% reserved. 00:26:37.050 --> 00:26:40.790 align:middle line:84% And you know, I don't push them to pose in any sort of way. 00:26:40.790 --> 00:26:44.090 align:middle line:84% Definitely, while people are getting their pictures taken, 00:26:44.090 --> 00:26:45.980 align:middle line:84% all of their new friends at the shoot 00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:48.270 align:middle line:84% are, they're hyping each other up and all this stuff. 00:26:48.270 --> 00:26:52.520 align:middle line:84% But I wanted to make sure that no matter what, 00:26:52.520 --> 00:26:55.070 align:middle line:84% that they get to be captured the way that they're 00:26:55.070 --> 00:26:57.320 align:middle line:84% feeling in the moment, you know, whether that's good 00:26:57.320 --> 00:27:00.630 align:middle line:90% or whether-- 00:27:00.630 --> 00:27:04.070 align:middle line:84% basically, they don't have to act. 00:27:04.070 --> 00:27:05.968 align:middle line:84% Like, if it doesn't feel natural to them, 00:27:05.968 --> 00:27:07.010 align:middle line:90% they don't have to do it. 00:27:07.010 --> 00:27:09.680 align:middle line:90% 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:10.180 align:middle line:90% OK. 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:13.800 align:middle line:90% So we can go to the next slide. 00:27:13.800 --> 00:27:16.610 align:middle line:84% So starting the relationship with the subjects 00:27:16.610 --> 00:27:19.670 align:middle line:84% in your photos starts with reaching out. 00:27:19.670 --> 00:27:22.040 align:middle line:84% So, again, being clear about your project and intentions 00:27:22.040 --> 00:27:22.998 align:middle line:90% and timeline. 00:27:22.998 --> 00:27:25.040 align:middle line:84% This is going to come off as really professional. 00:27:25.040 --> 00:27:28.490 align:middle line:84% I feel like I get a lot of DMs, where sometimes people 00:27:28.490 --> 00:27:29.720 align:middle line:90% are like, oh, let's collab. 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:31.490 align:middle line:90% And it's just one sentence. 00:27:31.490 --> 00:27:33.980 align:middle line:84% And it's just like I have no context for what any of this 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:36.740 align:middle line:90% means or what you want from me. 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:38.425 align:middle line:84% Like people have said, sometimes, 00:27:38.425 --> 00:27:39.800 align:middle line:84% especially my femme friends, it's 00:27:39.800 --> 00:27:41.480 align:middle line:84% like, well, if some random guy is like, 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:43.962 align:middle line:90% hey, let's shoot some time. 00:27:43.962 --> 00:27:45.920 align:middle line:84% They're probably flirting and they don't really 00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:49.400 align:middle line:84% care about the photography that much. 00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:52.770 align:middle line:84% So that's something that I keep in mind when I reach out 00:27:52.770 --> 00:27:54.330 align:middle line:84% to other people, is that, like, I 00:27:54.330 --> 00:27:56.070 align:middle line:84% want to minimize the anxiety by letting 00:27:56.070 --> 00:27:58.980 align:middle line:84% them know exactly as many details 00:27:58.980 --> 00:28:02.790 align:middle line:90% as I have at the moment. 00:28:02.790 --> 00:28:05.815 align:middle line:84% Yeah, so going back to when I get DM from other people. 00:28:05.815 --> 00:28:07.440 align:middle line:84% It's like, yeah, sometimes I'll get DMs 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:10.170 align:middle line:84% from people where they're just saying let's collab. 00:28:10.170 --> 00:28:12.210 align:middle line:84% Other times, I get really detailed, 00:28:12.210 --> 00:28:14.370 align:middle line:84% like project statements and timeline from people. 00:28:14.370 --> 00:28:17.670 align:middle line:84% And those are the only people I reply to basically. 00:28:17.670 --> 00:28:19.830 align:middle line:84% Second thing, when reaching out is definitely 00:28:19.830 --> 00:28:21.690 align:middle line:90% consider compensation. 00:28:21.690 --> 00:28:23.490 align:middle line:84% If it's a personal project and it's low key 00:28:23.490 --> 00:28:25.860 align:middle line:84% and it's local, like if I'm a trans person, it's like, oh, 00:28:25.860 --> 00:28:27.777 align:middle line:84% I want to do some trans portraits of whatever, 00:28:27.777 --> 00:28:28.815 align:middle line:90% whatever. 00:28:28.815 --> 00:28:30.300 align:middle line:84% A lot of times, people don't mind 00:28:30.300 --> 00:28:33.360 align:middle line:84% doing it for fun, especially if they believe in the vision. 00:28:33.360 --> 00:28:35.190 align:middle line:84% If it's something commercial, I think 00:28:35.190 --> 00:28:38.250 align:middle line:84% that people should absolutely advocate 00:28:38.250 --> 00:28:42.360 align:middle line:84% on behalf of the models for fair compensation. 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:43.940 align:middle line:84% And then if the project is something 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:46.440 align:middle line:84% that you think that you're going to make money off of later, 00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:48.357 align:middle line:84% I would definitely consider back compensation. 00:28:48.357 --> 00:28:52.500 align:middle line:84% So for example, giving the model a percentage 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:55.260 align:middle line:84% of the money that you make off of their photos 00:28:55.260 --> 00:28:58.920 align:middle line:84% or donating it to a cause that you choose with them, 00:28:58.920 --> 00:29:01.310 align:middle line:90% or something like that. 00:29:01.310 --> 00:29:04.080 align:middle line:84% I've definitely done photoshoots before where 00:29:04.080 --> 00:29:07.640 align:middle line:84% the artist is selling prints, like where they shoot me. 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:10.940 align:middle line:84% And they're selling prints, but the 100% of the proceeds 00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:12.560 align:middle line:84% go to a Black trans organization. 00:29:12.560 --> 00:29:14.990 align:middle line:84% Then to me, it's like, all right, yeah, that's fine. 00:29:14.990 --> 00:29:17.488 align:middle line:84% I'm cool with doing that for free, 00:29:17.488 --> 00:29:19.280 align:middle line:84% if that's what you're doing and I'm getting 00:29:19.280 --> 00:29:20.530 align:middle line:90% like a cool picture out of it. 00:29:20.530 --> 00:29:22.890 align:middle line:84% So just kind of be aware of that. 00:29:22.890 --> 00:29:25.640 align:middle line:84% And also take into consideration, 00:29:25.640 --> 00:29:28.170 align:middle line:84% I guess, the dynamics in your compensation. 00:29:28.170 --> 00:29:32.290 align:middle line:84% So for example, if I'm a trans masked person, 00:29:32.290 --> 00:29:35.890 align:middle line:84% one thing that I ran into as an issue-- not really an issue, 00:29:35.890 --> 00:29:41.740 align:middle line:84% but a limitation for me when I did the naked paint party 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:45.990 align:middle line:84% was that a lot of the people coming into the projects 00:29:45.990 --> 00:29:49.590 align:middle line:84% were also transmasculine or AFAB because I felt like it was 00:29:49.590 --> 00:29:52.560 align:middle line:90% because the project was by me. 00:29:52.560 --> 00:29:55.110 align:middle line:84% They felt like they related to me and my words 00:29:55.110 --> 00:29:57.940 align:middle line:84% because they are also assigned female at birth. 00:29:57.940 --> 00:30:03.150 align:middle line:84% And so not as many trans femmes showed up to the shoot. 00:30:03.150 --> 00:30:08.280 align:middle line:84% So it's like if I were to want to work with a trans femme 00:30:08.280 --> 00:30:11.490 align:middle line:84% person in more of a collaborative dynamic, 00:30:11.490 --> 00:30:14.190 align:middle line:84% I would definitely want to compensate that person really 00:30:14.190 --> 00:30:17.160 align:middle line:90% well to be part of this project. 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:19.325 align:middle line:84% Part of the planning and the production. 00:30:19.325 --> 00:30:22.510 align:middle line:90% 00:30:22.510 --> 00:30:24.880 align:middle line:84% I always encourage that people really 00:30:24.880 --> 00:30:26.050 align:middle line:90% get to know their subjects. 00:30:26.050 --> 00:30:29.410 align:middle line:84% This seems really obvious, but it definitely is not something 00:30:29.410 --> 00:30:33.880 align:middle line:84% that every photographer or documentary filmmaker does. 00:30:33.880 --> 00:30:37.432 align:middle line:84% So do at least like a 30-minute coffee before and/or after. 00:30:37.432 --> 00:30:39.640 align:middle line:84% Like you don't always have to be talking specifically 00:30:39.640 --> 00:30:40.340 align:middle line:90% about the project. 00:30:40.340 --> 00:30:42.070 align:middle line:84% But I think you should just get to know the person. 00:30:42.070 --> 00:30:44.410 align:middle line:84% And this will really help you assess each other's vibe 00:30:44.410 --> 00:30:46.270 align:middle line:84% and know whether or not you're even 00:30:46.270 --> 00:30:48.250 align:middle line:90% a good match as collaborators. 00:30:48.250 --> 00:30:50.740 align:middle line:84% Definitely, if you have the time, 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:52.300 align:middle line:84% chat with them while they're shooting 00:30:52.300 --> 00:30:53.860 align:middle line:84% and find ways to connect and relate. 00:30:53.860 --> 00:30:58.300 align:middle line:84% It doesn't, again, have to be whatever the photo subject is, 00:30:58.300 --> 00:31:00.970 align:middle line:84% but maybe you find out, oh, we both love traveling, 00:31:00.970 --> 00:31:04.240 align:middle line:84% or we've both been to this place in the past, or something 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.680 align:middle line:90% like that. 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:07.810 align:middle line:84% And get involved in the community 00:31:07.810 --> 00:31:09.730 align:middle line:84% that you're photographing for a period of time 00:31:09.730 --> 00:31:14.650 align:middle line:84% before the art project starts and ask for feedback. 00:31:14.650 --> 00:31:17.050 align:middle line:90% Next slide. 00:31:17.050 --> 00:31:20.190 align:middle line:84% So in terms of getting to know people, 00:31:20.190 --> 00:31:23.280 align:middle line:84% that's just something that's really important in order 00:31:23.280 --> 00:31:24.715 align:middle line:90% to get people comfortable. 00:31:24.715 --> 00:31:27.340 align:middle line:84% That could take a little time or that could take a lot of time. 00:31:27.340 --> 00:31:29.280 align:middle line:84% It really depends on who you are as an artist. 00:31:29.280 --> 00:31:31.570 align:middle line:84% I know some people are shyer than others. 00:31:31.570 --> 00:31:35.070 align:middle line:84% For me, if I can afford to take the time with photoshoots, 00:31:35.070 --> 00:31:37.380 align:middle line:90% I will take the time. 00:31:37.380 --> 00:31:40.500 align:middle line:84% For this series, this is a trans couple series that I did. 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:44.380 align:middle line:84% I got people in at two-hour blocks. 00:31:44.380 --> 00:31:46.608 align:middle line:90% So that is really a luxury. 00:31:46.608 --> 00:31:48.900 align:middle line:84% Because sometimes if you're in a commercial photoshoot, 00:31:48.900 --> 00:31:50.940 align:middle line:84% maybe you really do just have 15 minutes with people, 00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:51.570 align:middle line:90% and that sucks. 00:31:51.570 --> 00:31:54.090 align:middle line:84% But there's always going to be downtime where I really 00:31:54.090 --> 00:31:59.200 align:middle line:84% try to squeeze in conversations with the models that I have. 00:31:59.200 --> 00:32:03.870 align:middle line:84% So with these couples, they were in two-hour blocks. 00:32:03.870 --> 00:32:07.230 align:middle line:84% I would chat with each couple for the 30 to 60 minutes 00:32:07.230 --> 00:32:10.500 align:middle line:84% that they would take them to get makeup done or get dressed. 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:12.510 align:middle line:84% I just sat there like we were friends. 00:32:12.510 --> 00:32:14.130 align:middle line:84% Like, we would talk about-- first, 00:32:14.130 --> 00:32:15.780 align:middle line:84% usually as an icebreaker, I would ask 00:32:15.780 --> 00:32:17.710 align:middle line:90% kind of like how did you meet? 00:32:17.710 --> 00:32:19.710 align:middle line:84% And then we would just have casual conversations 00:32:19.710 --> 00:32:26.910 align:middle line:84% about whatever, whether that was yeah, traveling or events 00:32:26.910 --> 00:32:29.678 align:middle line:90% that were going on in the city. 00:32:29.678 --> 00:32:30.220 align:middle line:90% I don't know. 00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:33.526 align:middle line:84% Sometimes people would talk to me about surgeries or-- 00:32:33.526 --> 00:32:36.520 align:middle line:84% basically, it's like I let them lead the conversation. 00:32:36.520 --> 00:32:38.270 align:middle line:84% I would ask questions with curiosity. 00:32:38.270 --> 00:32:40.060 align:middle line:84% But I let them lead the conversation into 00:32:40.060 --> 00:32:43.390 align:middle line:84% whether or not they want it to be more casual or more deep. 00:32:43.390 --> 00:32:44.980 align:middle line:84% But yeah, we just talk as friends. 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:48.490 align:middle line:84% And I'm still connected with a lot of these folks. 00:32:48.490 --> 00:32:51.540 align:middle line:90% Let's go to the next slide. 00:32:51.540 --> 00:32:53.910 align:middle line:84% Just to show more photos from the series. 00:32:53.910 --> 00:32:56.190 align:middle line:90% So really talking to them. 00:32:56.190 --> 00:32:58.170 align:middle line:84% And as a friend, I feel like gets 00:32:58.170 --> 00:33:01.420 align:middle line:84% them really comfortable in front of the camera. 00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:02.453 align:middle line:90% They're couples as well. 00:33:02.453 --> 00:33:04.870 align:middle line:84% So it's like they're already with somebody that they know. 00:33:04.870 --> 00:33:09.640 align:middle line:84% So they are already a little more comfortable to begin with. 00:33:09.640 --> 00:33:14.063 align:middle line:84% But it's definitely nice to let people have a friend or two, 00:33:14.063 --> 00:33:16.480 align:middle line:84% like at the shoots, to help them be more comfortable if it 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:17.930 align:middle line:90% is a solo shoot. 00:33:17.930 --> 00:33:19.180 align:middle line:90% So let's go to the next slide. 00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:24.280 align:middle line:90% 00:33:24.280 --> 00:33:27.180 align:middle line:90% Next slide, please. 00:33:27.180 --> 00:33:29.670 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:33:29.670 --> 00:33:33.500 align:middle line:84% I mentioned earlier to get more into the community, if you can, 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:35.030 align:middle line:90% of whoever you're shooting. 00:33:35.030 --> 00:33:39.290 align:middle line:84% So for example, I am queer and trans. 00:33:39.290 --> 00:33:42.170 align:middle line:84% So-- oh, here, let me backtrack a little bit. 00:33:42.170 --> 00:33:45.690 align:middle line:90% 00:33:45.690 --> 00:33:48.637 align:middle line:84% I would say-- let me back talk a little bit. 00:33:48.637 --> 00:33:50.470 align:middle line:84% I'm going to explain this series real quick. 00:33:50.470 --> 00:33:54.060 align:middle line:84% So this is a series that I did on Brooklyn drag 00:33:54.060 --> 00:33:55.440 align:middle line:84% and burlesque performers, all who 00:33:55.440 --> 00:33:57.975 align:middle line:90% were queer non-binary or trans. 00:33:57.975 --> 00:34:01.150 align:middle line:90% 00:34:01.150 --> 00:34:03.580 align:middle line:84% The concept for this was that I really kind of wanted 00:34:03.580 --> 00:34:08.679 align:middle line:84% to show like their campiness and portray it in a series 00:34:08.679 --> 00:34:11.440 align:middle line:84% that I didn't really name anything besides like queer 00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:12.850 align:middle line:90% serial killer series. 00:34:12.850 --> 00:34:19.440 align:middle line:84% Basically, everyone portrays like, yeah, a type of murder. 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:22.949 align:middle line:84% And I would talk to them about what type of characters 00:34:22.949 --> 00:34:25.647 align:middle line:84% they would play on stage and what type of persona they had. 00:34:25.647 --> 00:34:26.980 align:middle line:90% And we would choose it together. 00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:34.949 align:middle line:84% So for example, this person on the left is a mafia lord. 00:34:34.949 --> 00:34:37.080 align:middle line:84% The person in the middle is doing a satanic ritual. 00:34:37.080 --> 00:34:41.991 align:middle line:84% The person on the right, this is kind of a, 00:34:41.991 --> 00:34:45.920 align:middle line:84% I guess, like a sexier version of like a chainsaw serial 00:34:45.920 --> 00:34:46.420 align:middle line:90% killer. 00:34:46.420 --> 00:34:47.949 align:middle line:84% Let's go back to the previous slide. 00:34:47.949 --> 00:34:51.565 align:middle line:90% 00:34:51.565 --> 00:34:53.500 align:middle line:84% The person on the left here is like some sort 00:34:53.500 --> 00:34:57.640 align:middle line:84% of Dexter like TV show-esque, like take your body apart 00:34:57.640 --> 00:34:58.690 align:middle line:90% type of murderer. 00:34:58.690 --> 00:35:01.360 align:middle line:84% The person in the middle, they actually already 00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:07.660 align:middle line:84% had an act where they were a, I guess, housewife who 00:35:07.660 --> 00:35:09.360 align:middle line:90% ends up killing her husband. 00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:12.065 align:middle line:84% So I'm like, OK, that's funny, like that works for this. 00:35:12.065 --> 00:35:13.690 align:middle line:84% The person on the right is an arsonist. 00:35:13.690 --> 00:35:16.210 align:middle line:84% So I kind of did this series to play on the fact 00:35:16.210 --> 00:35:20.740 align:middle line:84% that a lot of villains in older movies and TV shows, 00:35:20.740 --> 00:35:22.630 align:middle line:84% especially kids shows, they're queer coded. 00:35:22.630 --> 00:35:26.050 align:middle line:90% So we did the series together. 00:35:26.050 --> 00:35:28.150 align:middle line:84% I am queer and trans, so capturing queer and trans 00:35:28.150 --> 00:35:30.250 align:middle line:84% performers, that's not out of my range. 00:35:30.250 --> 00:35:32.320 align:middle line:84% I felt like me and most of these participants, 00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:35.140 align:middle line:84% we had a lot of automatic trust just because I watched 00:35:35.140 --> 00:35:37.480 align:middle line:84% the performances, and I'm able to see their gender, 00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:39.910 align:middle line:84% and understand their style of performance, 00:35:39.910 --> 00:35:42.800 align:middle line:84% and relate to it maybe more so than other people. 00:35:42.800 --> 00:35:45.310 align:middle line:90% However, I'm not a performer. 00:35:45.310 --> 00:35:47.690 align:middle line:84% I would go to these shows often and I wanted 00:35:47.690 --> 00:35:48.940 align:middle line:90% to be more than just a voyeur. 00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:51.073 align:middle line:84% Like, I really wanted to understand, like, yeah, 00:35:51.073 --> 00:35:52.990 align:middle line:84% what even is their lifestyle and their process 00:35:52.990 --> 00:35:55.032 align:middle line:84% like to get ready for stage, and stuff like that. 00:35:55.032 --> 00:35:57.730 align:middle line:84% So I'm not a performer, but I did seek out ways 00:35:57.730 --> 00:35:59.380 align:middle line:90% to get involved in the show. 00:35:59.380 --> 00:36:04.000 align:middle line:84% So I would sell tickets at the door. 00:36:04.000 --> 00:36:08.470 align:middle line:84% I would sell raffles or be like stage managing, which 00:36:08.470 --> 00:36:12.370 align:middle line:84% really just meant sweeping the stage before the next act. 00:36:12.370 --> 00:36:15.100 align:middle line:84% So that way, I could be part of the show. 00:36:15.100 --> 00:36:17.380 align:middle line:84% I would also, like, be in my underwear. 00:36:17.380 --> 00:36:20.030 align:middle line:90% So I match the vibe and stuff. 00:36:20.030 --> 00:36:22.360 align:middle line:84% But I wanted to do this to go beyond 00:36:22.360 --> 00:36:24.827 align:middle line:84% a transactional relationship of, like, OK, I'll 00:36:24.827 --> 00:36:25.660 align:middle line:90% take photos for you. 00:36:25.660 --> 00:36:26.952 align:middle line:90% I'm going to get art out of it. 00:36:26.952 --> 00:36:28.600 align:middle line:84% And then you're going to get photos out 00:36:28.600 --> 00:36:29.860 align:middle line:90% of this for your posters. 00:36:29.860 --> 00:36:32.410 align:middle line:84% There are a lot of photographers in Brooklyn 00:36:32.410 --> 00:36:33.620 align:middle line:90% who do that for them. 00:36:33.620 --> 00:36:36.160 align:middle line:84% And I just wanted to have relationships 00:36:36.160 --> 00:36:37.580 align:middle line:90% with everybody in a deeper way. 00:36:37.580 --> 00:36:40.000 align:middle line:84% So being involved in these shows, 00:36:40.000 --> 00:36:43.220 align:middle line:84% it was really fun because I would get to go there early. 00:36:43.220 --> 00:36:44.943 align:middle line:90% I would be backstage. 00:36:44.943 --> 00:36:47.110 align:middle line:84% There was this mutual feeling, like, I'm part of it. 00:36:47.110 --> 00:36:48.910 align:middle line:84% And I'm there to support them in whatever ways 00:36:48.910 --> 00:36:50.630 align:middle line:84% that they need while they're performing. 00:36:50.630 --> 00:36:55.630 align:middle line:84% So this was really like a genuine interest of mine 00:36:55.630 --> 00:36:56.290 align:middle line:90% in the scene. 00:36:56.290 --> 00:37:04.100 align:middle line:84% And it really helped to build mutual comfort. 00:37:04.100 --> 00:37:07.045 align:middle line:90% So, let's see. 00:37:07.045 --> 00:37:11.070 align:middle line:90% 00:37:11.070 --> 00:37:13.260 align:middle line:84% Yeah, I guess that's just kind of my example of, 00:37:13.260 --> 00:37:15.930 align:middle line:84% like, there are ways that you can 00:37:15.930 --> 00:37:19.948 align:middle line:84% get to know the people that you want to get to know better. 00:37:19.948 --> 00:37:21.490 align:middle line:84% A lot of these folks I would probably 00:37:21.490 --> 00:37:23.590 align:middle line:84% have seen them perform like five or six times 00:37:23.590 --> 00:37:24.620 align:middle line:90% before we shot them. 00:37:24.620 --> 00:37:30.220 align:middle line:84% So it's not like we even needed to ask that much like, 00:37:30.220 --> 00:37:32.410 align:middle line:84% oh, you know, what type of character are you? 00:37:32.410 --> 00:37:33.640 align:middle line:90% It's, like, no, I've seen it. 00:37:33.640 --> 00:37:37.790 align:middle line:84% And I can make my own suggestions based off of that. 00:37:37.790 --> 00:37:41.680 align:middle line:84% And then I would say someone who would be even better than me 00:37:41.680 --> 00:37:45.610 align:middle line:84% at capturing them would be another performer. 00:37:45.610 --> 00:37:47.710 align:middle line:84% There are performer photographers out there 00:37:47.710 --> 00:37:48.975 align:middle line:90% who would do both. 00:37:48.975 --> 00:37:50.350 align:middle line:84% I feel like they would definitely 00:37:50.350 --> 00:37:52.767 align:middle line:84% have a different perspective because it's like they really 00:37:52.767 --> 00:37:54.910 align:middle line:84% have the internal perspective of how to get ready 00:37:54.910 --> 00:37:56.770 align:middle line:84% and what it takes to get on stage, 00:37:56.770 --> 00:37:59.140 align:middle line:84% and all of the self-talk and pep talks 00:37:59.140 --> 00:38:00.590 align:middle line:84% that you have to do for yourself. 00:38:00.590 --> 00:38:02.620 align:middle line:84% So that is somebody that I would say 00:38:02.620 --> 00:38:06.630 align:middle line:84% would be even better at capturing a series like this. 00:38:06.630 --> 00:38:08.070 align:middle line:90% OK, next question. 00:38:08.070 --> 00:38:10.720 align:middle line:90% I'm sorry, next slide. 00:38:10.720 --> 00:38:15.040 align:middle line:84% I see a question or two in here maybe. 00:38:15.040 --> 00:38:17.570 align:middle line:90% And I'll address it at the end. 00:38:17.570 --> 00:38:19.590 align:middle line:90% Another slide. 00:38:19.590 --> 00:38:21.620 align:middle line:84% So we're almost done with this part. 00:38:21.620 --> 00:38:24.620 align:middle line:84% But just to kind of round out some best practices 00:38:24.620 --> 00:38:30.410 align:middle line:84% during the project, take some time to chat with the model 00:38:30.410 --> 00:38:33.410 align:middle line:90% during their day. 00:38:33.410 --> 00:38:37.250 align:middle line:84% So take some time to chat with the model like before or during 00:38:37.250 --> 00:38:41.518 align:middle line:84% about their day about anything, try to make the time for it, 00:38:41.518 --> 00:38:43.310 align:middle line:84% especially if it's your first time meeting, 00:38:43.310 --> 00:38:46.850 align:middle line:84% like, you didn't get to do a call or coffee beforehand. 00:38:46.850 --> 00:38:48.380 align:middle line:84% Allow them to bring a friend to make 00:38:48.380 --> 00:38:50.040 align:middle line:90% them feel more comfortable. 00:38:50.040 --> 00:38:52.548 align:middle line:84% And then one thing, I actually do this too as a fitness 00:38:52.548 --> 00:38:54.590 align:middle line:84% trainer, is to meet them at their physical level, 00:38:54.590 --> 00:38:56.340 align:middle line:84% that way, your eye line is always matched. 00:38:56.340 --> 00:38:58.580 align:middle line:84% So for example, if they're sitting, you're sitting. 00:38:58.580 --> 00:39:00.702 align:middle line:84% If they're standing, you're standing. 00:39:00.702 --> 00:39:02.660 align:middle line:84% If they're on the ground, you're on the ground, 00:39:02.660 --> 00:39:04.100 align:middle line:84% at least when you're talking to them. 00:39:04.100 --> 00:39:05.990 align:middle line:84% If you're shooting and you need to get different angles, 00:39:05.990 --> 00:39:06.720 align:middle line:90% it's a different story. 00:39:06.720 --> 00:39:08.120 align:middle line:84% But when you're having a conversation, 00:39:08.120 --> 00:39:09.410 align:middle line:90% try to match their eye line. 00:39:09.410 --> 00:39:11.570 align:middle line:84% I feel like that really shows that you respect them 00:39:11.570 --> 00:39:13.585 align:middle line:84% and that you're in a collaboration with them 00:39:13.585 --> 00:39:15.710 align:middle line:84% rather than if they were sitting in you were higher 00:39:15.710 --> 00:39:18.115 align:middle line:84% up, that creates a little bit more of like dynamic 00:39:18.115 --> 00:39:19.490 align:middle line:84% where it's like you're in charge. 00:39:19.490 --> 00:39:23.070 align:middle line:84% So I always try to match that and be intentional of that. 00:39:23.070 --> 00:39:27.230 align:middle line:84% That is something that's, I think, subconscious. 00:39:27.230 --> 00:39:28.820 align:middle line:84% And then as I'm taking the photos, 00:39:28.820 --> 00:39:31.700 align:middle line:84% I usually like to show people the pictures as we go along, 00:39:31.700 --> 00:39:34.250 align:middle line:84% get a sense of what they like and what they don't like, 00:39:34.250 --> 00:39:36.260 align:middle line:84% and make sure that they're comfortable with how 00:39:36.260 --> 00:39:37.740 align:middle line:90% you are depicting them. 00:39:37.740 --> 00:39:39.750 align:middle line:90% Next slide. 00:39:39.750 --> 00:39:41.970 align:middle line:84% After the photo shoot, if a model 00:39:41.970 --> 00:39:44.460 align:middle line:84% is uncomfortable with the photo that you have posted, 00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:45.600 align:middle line:90% offer to take it down. 00:39:45.600 --> 00:39:48.600 align:middle line:84% This has happened to me before, especially with the naked paint 00:39:48.600 --> 00:39:52.110 align:middle line:84% party series just because it is so sensitive because it's, 00:39:52.110 --> 00:39:53.775 align:middle line:90% like, people are naked online. 00:39:53.775 --> 00:39:57.068 align:middle line:90% 00:39:57.068 --> 00:39:58.860 align:middle line:84% Well, there was one instance where somebody 00:39:58.860 --> 00:40:00.870 align:middle line:84% asked me to take down a photo because she wanted 00:40:00.870 --> 00:40:03.600 align:middle line:90% it edited it in a certain way. 00:40:03.600 --> 00:40:06.790 align:middle line:84% And I didn't really understand what she was talking about. 00:40:06.790 --> 00:40:10.440 align:middle line:84% But then I would take a step back and just remind myself 00:40:10.440 --> 00:40:13.510 align:middle line:84% that whatever she's seeing is what she's seeing. 00:40:13.510 --> 00:40:15.400 align:middle line:90% And this is a picture of her. 00:40:15.400 --> 00:40:17.320 align:middle line:84% So you need to just listen and take it down. 00:40:17.320 --> 00:40:22.600 align:middle line:84% So, yeah, if you get asked to take something down, do it. 00:40:22.600 --> 00:40:25.210 align:middle line:84% I've heard of people who don't, and I think that's ridiculous. 00:40:25.210 --> 00:40:27.220 align:middle line:84% Even though it's like I take release 00:40:27.220 --> 00:40:29.200 align:middle line:84% forms to just legally protect me. 00:40:29.200 --> 00:40:32.830 align:middle line:84% I have the legal right to post these photos, like I own them. 00:40:32.830 --> 00:40:35.200 align:middle line:84% The person that is in the photos doesn't own them. 00:40:35.200 --> 00:40:37.075 align:middle line:84% But I think that it is morally wrong 00:40:37.075 --> 00:40:38.950 align:middle line:84% to use the person's image against their will. 00:40:38.950 --> 00:40:41.230 align:middle line:84% So if somebody asks you to take it down, 00:40:41.230 --> 00:40:45.100 align:middle line:84% just do it even if you know it's a hit to your portfolio 00:40:45.100 --> 00:40:47.032 align:middle line:90% or whatever. 00:40:47.032 --> 00:40:49.490 align:middle line:84% At the end of the day, you know, it's someone else's image. 00:40:49.490 --> 00:40:52.520 align:middle line:84% And how would you feel too if you had a horrible picture 00:40:52.520 --> 00:40:55.160 align:middle line:84% or if you thought that this horrible picture of you 00:40:55.160 --> 00:40:59.650 align:middle line:84% existed out there without your consent? 00:40:59.650 --> 00:41:02.113 align:middle line:84% So depending on the sensitivity of the subject, 00:41:02.113 --> 00:41:04.530 align:middle line:84% ask the model to double check and approve their own quotes 00:41:04.530 --> 00:41:05.710 align:middle line:90% for publication. 00:41:05.710 --> 00:41:06.780 align:middle line:90% I know that-- 00:41:06.780 --> 00:41:10.110 align:middle line:84% I just feel like in interviews with-- 00:41:10.110 --> 00:41:14.040 align:middle line:84% me and my friends, when we get interviewed for publications, 00:41:14.040 --> 00:41:17.880 align:middle line:84% either as artists or if at an event or something like that, 00:41:17.880 --> 00:41:20.220 align:middle line:84% the journalists always promise that they'll, like, 00:41:20.220 --> 00:41:22.470 align:middle line:84% let us check the quote before it's published 00:41:22.470 --> 00:41:23.880 align:middle line:90% and they never do. 00:41:23.880 --> 00:41:28.230 align:middle line:84% So I definitely make sure that the models 00:41:28.230 --> 00:41:31.020 align:middle line:84% do get to see what's being published about them 00:41:31.020 --> 00:41:33.390 align:middle line:84% or that they are approving everything 00:41:33.390 --> 00:41:35.940 align:middle line:84% within this page is OK, and maybe the publication 00:41:35.940 --> 00:41:38.640 align:middle line:90% uses a part of it. 00:41:38.640 --> 00:41:41.280 align:middle line:90% I just make sure that nothing-- 00:41:41.280 --> 00:41:44.400 align:middle line:84% basically, that like, no one is publishing something 00:41:44.400 --> 00:41:46.110 align:middle line:90% that they didn't say. 00:41:46.110 --> 00:41:49.140 align:middle line:84% And then lastly, if you wanted to, you could 00:41:49.140 --> 00:41:52.920 align:middle line:84% have a show or an event to that's 00:41:52.920 --> 00:41:55.920 align:middle line:84% in person to connect the people that are in your artworks 00:41:55.920 --> 00:41:58.140 align:middle line:84% that you didn't have a group photo shoot, 00:41:58.140 --> 00:41:59.310 align:middle line:90% like naked paint party. 00:41:59.310 --> 00:42:02.910 align:middle line:84% Like the trans couple one, all of them did it separately. 00:42:02.910 --> 00:42:04.680 align:middle line:84% That one I didn't have an event for. 00:42:04.680 --> 00:42:07.732 align:middle line:84% I actually did have events for naked paint party 00:42:07.732 --> 00:42:09.190 align:middle line:84% where people could go to and stuff. 00:42:09.190 --> 00:42:14.160 align:middle line:84% But for the online publications, when that gets published, 00:42:14.160 --> 00:42:15.960 align:middle line:84% I kind of just use that to connect people. 00:42:15.960 --> 00:42:17.335 align:middle line:84% Like, hey, like just making sure, 00:42:17.335 --> 00:42:19.230 align:middle line:84% like, this other model of mine who 00:42:19.230 --> 00:42:21.097 align:middle line:84% played this person in the shoot, they really 00:42:21.097 --> 00:42:23.430 align:middle line:84% said something that I felt like you would resonate with. 00:42:23.430 --> 00:42:25.260 align:middle line:84% So I kind try to go out of my way 00:42:25.260 --> 00:42:27.270 align:middle line:84% to connect people that I think would get along 00:42:27.270 --> 00:42:28.440 align:middle line:90% in these photoshoots. 00:42:28.440 --> 00:42:30.030 align:middle line:84% Because at the end of the day, art 00:42:30.030 --> 00:42:32.920 align:middle line:84% is about connection and relation. 00:42:32.920 --> 00:42:37.050 align:middle line:84% So that's it for my presentation. 00:42:37.050 --> 00:42:38.800 align:middle line:84% Take a genuine interest in your subjects. 00:42:38.800 --> 00:42:40.800 align:middle line:84% I feel like if you don't have a genuine interest 00:42:40.800 --> 00:42:44.700 align:middle line:84% in your subjects, that is just not the project for you to do. 00:42:44.700 --> 00:42:46.410 align:middle line:84% There's probably something out there 00:42:46.410 --> 00:42:48.030 align:middle line:84% that you maybe connect better with. 00:42:48.030 --> 00:42:50.730 align:middle line:84% Do your research, know your lane and what's not your lane, 00:42:50.730 --> 00:42:54.510 align:middle line:84% collaborate, treat your subjects like people, and be patient, 00:42:54.510 --> 00:42:56.735 align:middle line:84% and take the time to learn and to create. 00:42:56.735 --> 00:42:58.110 align:middle line:84% Creating art is about the process 00:42:58.110 --> 00:43:00.790 align:middle line:84% just as much as it is about the journey. 00:43:00.790 --> 00:43:08.890 align:middle line:84% So if anybody has any questions, I'll take them. 00:43:08.890 --> 00:43:14.050 align:middle line:90% 00:43:14.050 --> 00:43:14.550 align:middle line:90% I have a. 00:43:14.550 --> 00:43:17.260 align:middle line:84% Question Landyn, thank you for sharing that. 00:43:17.260 --> 00:43:20.700 align:middle line:84% I think one of the things that really stick out to me 00:43:20.700 --> 00:43:23.670 align:middle line:84% is that even though you're talking about this in an artist 00:43:23.670 --> 00:43:25.890 align:middle line:84% lens, right, as a photographer lens, 00:43:25.890 --> 00:43:27.660 align:middle line:84% I think there's so much that you've 00:43:27.660 --> 00:43:33.480 align:middle line:84% said that is transferable to us who work in a college, right, 00:43:33.480 --> 00:43:36.450 align:middle line:84% who are working with students and engaging in trying 00:43:36.450 --> 00:43:37.500 align:middle line:90% to build trust, right? 00:43:37.500 --> 00:43:41.550 align:middle line:84% How are we-- one of the things I heard through your words 00:43:41.550 --> 00:43:44.700 align:middle line:84% is this, number one, intent versus impact. 00:43:44.700 --> 00:43:47.430 align:middle line:84% And then number two is really centering 00:43:47.430 --> 00:43:49.410 align:middle line:84% the student and their experience, right, 00:43:49.410 --> 00:43:50.520 align:middle line:90% or the subject in their-- 00:43:50.520 --> 00:43:51.280 align:middle line:90% Yeah. 00:43:51.280 --> 00:43:53.400 align:middle line:84% So I just wanted to say thank you 00:43:53.400 --> 00:43:57.420 align:middle line:84% because I felt like there's so much transferable knowledge 00:43:57.420 --> 00:43:59.610 align:middle line:84% that you shared with us right now. 00:43:59.610 --> 00:44:00.660 align:middle line:90% Absolutely. 00:44:00.660 --> 00:44:05.320 align:middle line:84% I usually think of myself as like not this, 00:44:05.320 --> 00:44:07.818 align:middle line:84% like, oh, like, I'm the ultimate creator of this project, 00:44:07.818 --> 00:44:09.610 align:middle line:84% like take your ego out of it sort of thing. 00:44:09.610 --> 00:44:11.860 align:middle line:84% And it's just like I want to share stories 00:44:11.860 --> 00:44:14.620 align:middle line:84% about blank because this is important to me. 00:44:14.620 --> 00:44:18.130 align:middle line:84% So that's how I chose the subject for that trans. 00:44:18.130 --> 00:44:22.570 align:middle line:84% Not trans, I always say that, the mask heartthrob series. 00:44:22.570 --> 00:44:24.430 align:middle line:84% Like that's a topic that I wanted to do. 00:44:24.430 --> 00:44:27.220 align:middle line:84% But ultimately, it's like I'm helping other people tell 00:44:27.220 --> 00:44:29.960 align:middle line:90% their stories. 00:44:29.960 --> 00:44:31.990 align:middle line:84% That's yeah, the way that I view it. 00:44:31.990 --> 00:44:34.030 align:middle line:84% And then when you view it like that, 00:44:34.030 --> 00:44:36.820 align:middle line:84% I feel like sort of the collaboration piece 00:44:36.820 --> 00:44:37.810 align:middle line:90% is a lot more natural. 00:44:37.810 --> 00:44:40.760 align:middle line:90% 00:44:40.760 --> 00:44:43.550 align:middle line:84% I appreciate what Letty just shared because I 00:44:43.550 --> 00:44:44.990 align:middle line:90% had the exact same thought. 00:44:44.990 --> 00:44:49.020 align:middle line:84% I think not only as folks who work with students, 00:44:49.020 --> 00:44:50.450 align:middle line:84% but I was thinking about the work 00:44:50.450 --> 00:44:53.960 align:middle line:84% that Roman, Andy, and I do, working with artists, artist 00:44:53.960 --> 00:44:56.480 align:middle line:84% communities, curators, et cetera. 00:44:56.480 --> 00:44:58.130 align:middle line:84% We always have to ask ourselves, are we 00:44:58.130 --> 00:45:00.860 align:middle line:84% the right person to try to organize this story 00:45:00.860 --> 00:45:02.150 align:middle line:90% or tell this story? 00:45:02.150 --> 00:45:03.740 align:middle line:84% And when we're not, we have to be 00:45:03.740 --> 00:45:06.420 align:middle line:84% willing to say, OK, we need to find the right person. 00:45:06.420 --> 00:45:06.920 align:middle line:90% Yeah. 00:45:06.920 --> 00:45:09.350 align:middle line:84% So I think it's interesting how-- 00:45:09.350 --> 00:45:11.480 align:middle line:84% like Letty said like how this advice 00:45:11.480 --> 00:45:12.920 align:middle line:84% is really important about working 00:45:12.920 --> 00:45:13.962 align:middle line:90% with all kinds of people. 00:45:13.962 --> 00:45:17.060 align:middle line:84% And really truly at any time, collaboration is happening, 00:45:17.060 --> 00:45:20.750 align:middle line:84% which that's a relationship that should 00:45:20.750 --> 00:45:23.360 align:middle line:84% be happening with most of the work that any of us 00:45:23.360 --> 00:45:24.830 align:middle line:90% might be doing, right? 00:45:24.830 --> 00:45:26.000 align:middle line:90% Yeah, absolutely. 00:45:26.000 --> 00:45:28.400 align:middle line:84% So there's a question in here that you put down 00:45:28.400 --> 00:45:30.860 align:middle line:84% that is, what advice do you have for creatives 00:45:30.860 --> 00:45:33.920 align:middle line:84% who are commissioned or hired for a project where they don't 00:45:33.920 --> 00:45:35.540 align:middle line:90% have any personal connection? 00:45:35.540 --> 00:45:37.760 align:middle line:84% How can they put your advice into practice 00:45:37.760 --> 00:45:38.870 align:middle line:90% in the commercial world? 00:45:38.870 --> 00:45:43.940 align:middle line:84% And this is a really good question because I have seen-- 00:45:43.940 --> 00:45:46.590 align:middle line:90% 00:45:46.590 --> 00:45:47.190 align:middle line:90% I guess, yeah. 00:45:47.190 --> 00:45:48.990 align:middle line:84% There are a lot of discussions about this 00:45:48.990 --> 00:45:50.250 align:middle line:90% actually among photographers. 00:45:50.250 --> 00:45:53.370 align:middle line:84% And I think the answer is that if you feel like it is not 00:45:53.370 --> 00:45:57.540 align:middle line:84% in your lane to tell, the story that you're being hired to do, 00:45:57.540 --> 00:46:00.330 align:middle line:84% that you recommend people who are. 00:46:00.330 --> 00:46:04.247 align:middle line:84% So for example, like if somebody asked me to-- 00:46:04.247 --> 00:46:05.830 align:middle line:84% I mean, I don't really think that this 00:46:05.830 --> 00:46:08.590 align:middle line:84% would happen, hopefully, but I guess it does all the time. 00:46:08.590 --> 00:46:13.480 align:middle line:84% It's like if somebody were to ask me to shoot a project, 00:46:13.480 --> 00:46:16.150 align:middle line:84% you know, like for Black History Month, 00:46:16.150 --> 00:46:18.850 align:middle line:84% I feel like I would probably be like I don't think 00:46:18.850 --> 00:46:21.400 align:middle line:90% that this is my land to do. 00:46:21.400 --> 00:46:23.380 align:middle line:84% Here are three Black photographers 00:46:23.380 --> 00:46:27.050 align:middle line:84% that I really admire who could do this job better. 00:46:27.050 --> 00:46:29.050 align:middle line:84% So I think doing something like that 00:46:29.050 --> 00:46:32.462 align:middle line:84% is really important because yeah, I 00:46:32.462 --> 00:46:34.420 align:middle line:84% mean there are a lot of photographers out there 00:46:34.420 --> 00:46:37.810 align:middle line:84% who are white and cis and straight, especially guys. 00:46:37.810 --> 00:46:40.450 align:middle line:84% And they take up a lot of projects when they could 00:46:40.450 --> 00:46:42.700 align:middle line:90% be sharing those with people. 00:46:42.700 --> 00:46:45.688 align:middle line:84% I think that the conversations that I've had 00:46:45.688 --> 00:46:47.230 align:middle line:84% is with other queer photographers who 00:46:47.230 --> 00:46:51.040 align:middle line:84% kind of complain about like companies will do queer 00:46:51.040 --> 00:46:54.280 align:middle line:84% editorials or they'll do like OK, like, gender 00:46:54.280 --> 00:46:57.430 align:middle line:84% neutral fashion, and they really want to have this like queer 00:46:57.430 --> 00:46:58.180 align:middle line:90% aesthetic. 00:46:58.180 --> 00:47:01.097 align:middle line:84% They hire like models with buzz cuts and stuff like that. 00:47:01.097 --> 00:47:02.680 align:middle line:84% And they have a straight man shoot it. 00:47:02.680 --> 00:47:05.350 align:middle line:84% And it's like they definitely should have had a queer 00:47:05.350 --> 00:47:06.520 align:middle line:90% person shoot that instead. 00:47:06.520 --> 00:47:08.562 align:middle line:84% There are plenty of queer photographers out there 00:47:08.562 --> 00:47:09.440 align:middle line:90% who can do that job. 00:47:09.440 --> 00:47:11.910 align:middle line:90% So that would be-- 00:47:11.910 --> 00:47:12.970 align:middle line:90% That's interesting, too. 00:47:12.970 --> 00:47:14.820 align:middle line:84% Because it's like in the film industry, I mean, 00:47:14.820 --> 00:47:16.070 align:middle line:90% I think every industry, right? 00:47:16.070 --> 00:47:17.850 align:middle line:90% There's a reckoning happening. 00:47:17.850 --> 00:47:20.550 align:middle line:84% But you hear it in the film industry and TV, especially 00:47:20.550 --> 00:47:24.570 align:middle line:84% like who are the actors who are hired for what roles, right? 00:47:24.570 --> 00:47:28.270 align:middle line:84% And so it's like that ethical consideration is interesting. 00:47:28.270 --> 00:47:28.770 align:middle line:90% Yeah. 00:47:28.770 --> 00:47:31.560 align:middle line:84% So that is definitely something I believe in. 00:47:31.560 --> 00:47:34.320 align:middle line:84% It's like it's like even though I believe 00:47:34.320 --> 00:47:36.390 align:middle line:84% I'm a really great photographer, like I'm not 00:47:36.390 --> 00:47:37.830 align:middle line:90% the photographer for every job. 00:47:37.830 --> 00:47:41.478 align:middle line:90% 00:47:41.478 --> 00:47:44.370 align:middle line:84% Landyn, are you naturally an outgoing kind 00:47:44.370 --> 00:47:45.720 align:middle line:90% of person in terms of-- 00:47:45.720 --> 00:47:47.460 align:middle line:84% I think when I studied photography, 00:47:47.460 --> 00:47:51.180 align:middle line:84% a problem that I always had was as a personality, 00:47:51.180 --> 00:47:54.540 align:middle line:84% going up to people and engaging them, and trying 00:47:54.540 --> 00:47:59.310 align:middle line:84% to connect to even get that first step going of shooting 00:47:59.310 --> 00:48:01.200 align:middle line:90% a photography kind of project. 00:48:01.200 --> 00:48:05.190 align:middle line:84% Like, is it something you've had to work at in order 00:48:05.190 --> 00:48:08.760 align:middle line:84% to be at all comfortable with going up 00:48:08.760 --> 00:48:10.470 align:middle line:84% to strangers, with engaging people, 00:48:10.470 --> 00:48:13.950 align:middle line:84% with opening yourself up, just even 00:48:13.950 --> 00:48:16.440 align:middle line:84% on that basic level of just having to talk to people 00:48:16.440 --> 00:48:17.040 align:middle line:90% and ask them. 00:48:17.040 --> 00:48:19.350 align:middle line:84% Like, how do you start the ask and how do you 00:48:19.350 --> 00:48:22.290 align:middle line:90% like build up the-- 00:48:22.290 --> 00:48:25.680 align:middle line:84% I'm definitely shy at first but not-- 00:48:25.680 --> 00:48:28.560 align:middle line:90% 00:48:28.560 --> 00:48:29.950 align:middle line:90% I'm shy, initially. 00:48:29.950 --> 00:48:34.530 align:middle line:84% So it's like I've never actually approached anybody 00:48:34.530 --> 00:48:36.600 align:middle line:90% in person like that. 00:48:36.600 --> 00:48:41.250 align:middle line:84% Usually, I'll initiate contact with somebody 00:48:41.250 --> 00:48:43.890 align:middle line:90% via, usually, Instagram. 00:48:43.890 --> 00:48:46.380 align:middle line:84% So maybe it's like I find them through a casting call, 00:48:46.380 --> 00:48:52.490 align:middle line:84% or it's like I know who they are in the community, 00:48:52.490 --> 00:48:54.940 align:middle line:84% or maybe they were mutuals on Instagram, 00:48:54.940 --> 00:48:56.260 align:middle line:90% or something like that. 00:48:56.260 --> 00:48:57.640 align:middle line:84% And I've seen them around before. 00:48:57.640 --> 00:48:59.470 align:middle line:84% And it's like, oh, like, I feel like you would be a really 00:48:59.470 --> 00:49:00.595 align:middle line:90% cool person to get to know. 00:49:00.595 --> 00:49:02.650 align:middle line:84% I initiated it through Instagram just because I 00:49:02.650 --> 00:49:05.680 align:middle line:90% feel like that's safer for me. 00:49:05.680 --> 00:49:09.280 align:middle line:90% It doesn't feel as awkward. 00:49:09.280 --> 00:49:11.890 align:middle line:90% So yeah, it's Instagram person. 00:49:11.890 --> 00:49:14.020 align:middle line:84% And I know for me that my strongest suit 00:49:14.020 --> 00:49:15.920 align:middle line:90% is one on one interaction. 00:49:15.920 --> 00:49:19.393 align:middle line:84% So that's why like I tried to have 00:49:19.393 --> 00:49:21.810 align:middle line:84% enough a little bit of at least a little bit of one on one 00:49:21.810 --> 00:49:23.310 align:middle line:84% conversation with people beforehand. 00:49:23.310 --> 00:49:25.980 align:middle line:84% So that way, maybe when I do see them in a group setting, 00:49:25.980 --> 00:49:28.050 align:middle line:84% it feels like, all right, like, we already 00:49:28.050 --> 00:49:30.510 align:middle line:90% have a relationship started. 00:49:30.510 --> 00:49:34.410 align:middle line:84% It's not like I'm like this brand new person 00:49:34.410 --> 00:49:37.693 align:middle line:84% like thrown in the middle of a party, or something like that. 00:49:37.693 --> 00:49:38.860 align:middle line:90% But that's a great question. 00:49:38.860 --> 00:49:40.810 align:middle line:84% I think that there's many ways to do it. 00:49:40.810 --> 00:49:42.430 align:middle line:84% And a lot of photographers are shy. 00:49:42.430 --> 00:49:44.610 align:middle line:84% So yeah, I think it's totally cool 00:49:44.610 --> 00:49:46.590 align:middle line:84% to reach out to people via the internet 00:49:46.590 --> 00:49:53.270 align:middle line:84% first and then connect with them however you are comfortable 00:49:53.270 --> 00:49:54.540 align:middle line:90% 00:49:54.540 --> 00:49:55.040 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:49:55.040 --> 00:49:55.998 align:middle line:90% Yeah, that makes sense. 00:49:55.998 --> 00:49:59.480 align:middle line:84% And it ties back into the idea of starting 00:49:59.480 --> 00:50:01.010 align:middle line:90% in your own community. 00:50:01.010 --> 00:50:04.040 align:middle line:84% I guess that awkwardness isn't as awkward 00:50:04.040 --> 00:50:07.620 align:middle line:84% if it's part of a community that you feel comfortable with. 00:50:07.620 --> 00:50:08.120 align:middle line:90% Yeah. 00:50:08.120 --> 00:50:08.870 align:middle line:90% Oh, you know what? 00:50:08.870 --> 00:50:13.950 align:middle line:84% I would also say that whenever there's a new project, 00:50:13.950 --> 00:50:17.730 align:middle line:84% I would start with, like, your friends and sort of people 00:50:17.730 --> 00:50:19.550 align:middle line:90% that you already know first. 00:50:19.550 --> 00:50:21.960 align:middle line:84% That way, like you both have mutual comfort with them. 00:50:21.960 --> 00:50:25.080 align:middle line:84% Like it's on your end, if you're the artist and you mess up, 00:50:25.080 --> 00:50:27.995 align:middle line:84% but it's your friend, you know, nobody really cares. 00:50:27.995 --> 00:50:29.620 align:middle line:84% There's not really that pressure there. 00:50:29.620 --> 00:50:31.162 align:middle line:84% And then it's, like, all right, maybe 00:50:31.162 --> 00:50:33.720 align:middle line:84% once you have a couple of products from that 00:50:33.720 --> 00:50:36.396 align:middle line:90% and you post about it-- 00:50:36.396 --> 00:50:37.980 align:middle line:84% this example really works, I think, 00:50:37.980 --> 00:50:41.910 align:middle line:84% with my queer serial killers series. 00:50:41.910 --> 00:50:44.397 align:middle line:84% It's like I met that first person online. 00:50:44.397 --> 00:50:45.480 align:middle line:90% I didn't know them at all. 00:50:45.480 --> 00:50:51.140 align:middle line:84% Having that one on one interaction was really good. 00:50:51.140 --> 00:50:52.970 align:middle line:84% But we were mutuals first, I guess. 00:50:52.970 --> 00:50:54.645 align:middle line:84% So it felt like I wasn't just totally 00:50:54.645 --> 00:50:55.770 align:middle line:90% reaching out to a stranger. 00:50:55.770 --> 00:50:56.870 align:middle line:84% It was like, oh, like, they follow me 00:50:56.870 --> 00:50:58.620 align:middle line:84% because they see my work and they like it. 00:50:58.620 --> 00:51:00.380 align:middle line:84% So you know, they'd probably be down. 00:51:00.380 --> 00:51:02.510 align:middle line:84% So I guess they weren't a friend. 00:51:02.510 --> 00:51:04.577 align:middle line:84% But it was like after I met them, 00:51:04.577 --> 00:51:06.410 align:middle line:84% they introduced me to a lot of other people. 00:51:06.410 --> 00:51:08.285 align:middle line:84% And it's like why don't you shoot two people. 00:51:08.285 --> 00:51:10.310 align:middle line:90% So I shot their partner second. 00:51:10.310 --> 00:51:12.770 align:middle line:84% So that was really nice because it's like, oh, well, 00:51:12.770 --> 00:51:13.580 align:middle line:90% I met your partner. 00:51:13.580 --> 00:51:16.787 align:middle line:84% We could talk about that as a point of relation. 00:51:16.787 --> 00:51:18.620 align:middle line:84% And then after that, it's like, well, I have 00:51:18.620 --> 00:51:20.870 align:middle line:90% two photos from the series now. 00:51:20.870 --> 00:51:24.500 align:middle line:84% Now that I have two photos, it's like other performers that 00:51:24.500 --> 00:51:29.390 align:middle line:84% see it, even if we're not really friends, they see it. 00:51:29.390 --> 00:51:32.580 align:middle line:90% And they want to be part of it. 00:51:32.580 --> 00:51:35.480 align:middle line:84% And I would say that going to the shows to 00:51:35.480 --> 00:51:37.250 align:middle line:84% helped with that interaction because it's 00:51:37.250 --> 00:51:38.900 align:middle line:90% like the more you see people-- 00:51:38.900 --> 00:51:41.713 align:middle line:84% if I see this person at this same show every Wednesday, 00:51:41.713 --> 00:51:43.130 align:middle line:84% but they're doing a different act, 00:51:43.130 --> 00:51:44.720 align:middle line:84% it's like we start to familiarize ourselves 00:51:44.720 --> 00:51:45.530 align:middle line:90% with each other. 00:51:45.530 --> 00:51:49.503 align:middle line:84% And having a role there, then it's like OK, 00:51:49.503 --> 00:51:51.170 align:middle line:84% well, I'm the person that sells tickets. 00:51:51.170 --> 00:51:54.050 align:middle line:84% So it's like you have to talk to me for some reason. 00:51:54.050 --> 00:51:56.600 align:middle line:84% So that gives me sort of, I guess, 00:51:56.600 --> 00:51:58.250 align:middle line:84% like a way to communicate with people 00:51:58.250 --> 00:52:00.208 align:middle line:84% because it's like, well, I have a job here so I 00:52:00.208 --> 00:52:01.247 align:middle line:90% have to talk to you. 00:52:01.247 --> 00:52:03.080 align:middle line:84% I think that's a good sort of technique too. 00:52:03.080 --> 00:52:08.980 align:middle line:90% 00:52:08.980 --> 00:52:09.480 align:middle line:90% OK. 00:52:09.480 --> 00:52:11.880 align:middle line:90% So I have another question here. 00:52:11.880 --> 00:52:13.650 align:middle line:84% For engaging within the community 00:52:13.650 --> 00:52:15.480 align:middle line:84% that you make photo projects with, 00:52:15.480 --> 00:52:19.030 align:middle line:84% how long do you continue to engage after the project? 00:52:19.030 --> 00:52:21.870 align:middle line:84% How do you manage the transition into other interests 00:52:21.870 --> 00:52:23.220 align:middle line:90% and projects? 00:52:23.220 --> 00:52:31.000 align:middle line:84% So I feel like I definitely communicate with them 00:52:31.000 --> 00:52:36.490 align:middle line:84% through when the project is published at the very least. 00:52:36.490 --> 00:52:40.660 align:middle line:84% And then after that, I think it depends on how natural 00:52:40.660 --> 00:52:45.413 align:middle line:84% or not your relationship is, right? 00:52:45.413 --> 00:52:47.080 align:middle line:84% Like some people were going to get along 00:52:47.080 --> 00:52:49.150 align:middle line:90% with more than others. 00:52:49.150 --> 00:52:52.420 align:middle line:84% So our discussions about really natural, 00:52:52.420 --> 00:52:55.990 align:middle line:84% I'll definitely check in with them and see how they're doing. 00:52:55.990 --> 00:52:58.315 align:middle line:84% But if not, then it's just kind of like thank 00:52:58.315 --> 00:53:00.190 align:middle line:84% you so much for being a part of this project, 00:53:00.190 --> 00:53:01.745 align:middle line:90% and stuff like that. 00:53:01.745 --> 00:53:03.370 align:middle line:84% And then we may not talk to each other. 00:53:03.370 --> 00:53:07.440 align:middle line:90% 00:53:07.440 --> 00:53:07.940 align:middle line:90% OK. 00:53:07.940 --> 00:53:12.862 align:middle line:84% I know that we're coming up to the end of the session. 00:53:12.862 --> 00:53:15.070 align:middle line:84% I don't know if there's one last question or whatnot, 00:53:15.070 --> 00:53:20.300 align:middle line:84% but I wanted to first thank everyone for joining us today. 00:53:20.300 --> 00:53:25.390 align:middle line:84% And I also want to give a very special thank you to Landyn 00:53:25.390 --> 00:53:27.640 align:middle line:90% and totally going to-- 00:53:27.640 --> 00:53:30.540 align:middle line:84% Landyn and I have worked together for a long time. 00:53:30.540 --> 00:53:36.130 align:middle line:84% And I am so happy that they were able to join us 00:53:36.130 --> 00:53:40.510 align:middle line:84% today and really offer such amazing insight of not 00:53:40.510 --> 00:53:45.580 align:middle line:84% only as an artist, but also about how we can show up 00:53:45.580 --> 00:53:49.510 align:middle line:84% and be more intentional with how we interact 00:53:49.510 --> 00:53:54.420 align:middle line:84% with our peers, or colleagues, or students, in this case. 00:53:54.420 --> 00:53:57.190 align:middle line:84% And so from your surfboard, example, 00:53:57.190 --> 00:53:58.780 align:middle line:84% where you're talking about, like, 00:53:58.780 --> 00:54:00.580 align:middle line:84% if it wasn't for someone telling you what 00:54:00.580 --> 00:54:04.662 align:middle line:84% side to wax or to shine of your surfboard, 00:54:04.662 --> 00:54:06.370 align:middle line:84% you wouldn't have known and how important 00:54:06.370 --> 00:54:09.910 align:middle line:84% that is that we honor each other and the perspectives 00:54:09.910 --> 00:54:10.760 align:middle line:90% that we give. 00:54:10.760 --> 00:54:15.220 align:middle line:84% But then also really, this sense of showing care, right? 00:54:15.220 --> 00:54:18.687 align:middle line:84% Like being able to be present for the people 00:54:18.687 --> 00:54:20.770 align:middle line:84% that we're working with and we're connecting with. 00:54:20.770 --> 00:54:24.140 align:middle line:84% And so Landyn, I thank you for being here with us. 00:54:24.140 --> 00:54:26.950 align:middle line:84% We learned a lot yesterday and today. 00:54:26.950 --> 00:54:29.200 align:middle line:90% And I appreciate you. 00:54:29.200 --> 00:54:31.130 align:middle line:90% And I appreciate you being here. 00:54:31.130 --> 00:54:32.470 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:54:32.470 --> 00:54:34.240 align:middle line:84% Yeah, I got one last thing, I guess 00:54:34.240 --> 00:54:39.130 align:middle line:84% to answer [INAUDIBLE],, who asked that question just now. 00:54:39.130 --> 00:54:40.930 align:middle line:84% I'll say also that like some of the people 00:54:40.930 --> 00:54:42.670 align:middle line:84% that I've met in these photo shoots, 00:54:42.670 --> 00:54:47.960 align:middle line:84% like I have built really real friendships with. 00:54:47.960 --> 00:54:49.960 align:middle line:84% Two of the people that are burlesque performers, 00:54:49.960 --> 00:54:51.310 align:middle line:84% they're getting married to each other. 00:54:51.310 --> 00:54:53.140 align:middle line:84% And I'm invited to their wedding next year. 00:54:53.140 --> 00:54:55.690 align:middle line:84% So that's like a 30 person guest list. 00:54:55.690 --> 00:54:58.650 align:middle line:84% So it's like I have met some really incredible people 00:54:58.650 --> 00:55:01.300 align:middle line:84% and built really incredible friendships 00:55:01.300 --> 00:55:04.040 align:middle line:90% through my photography work. 00:55:04.040 --> 00:55:06.980 align:middle line:90% 00:55:06.980 --> 00:55:08.060 align:middle line:90% Yeah, that's it. 00:55:08.060 --> 00:55:09.740 align:middle line:90% Thank you so much, everyone. 00:55:09.740 --> 00:55:10.490 align:middle line:90% Thank you, Landyn. 00:55:10.490 --> 00:55:12.650 align:middle line:90% And follow Landyn on Instagram. 00:55:12.650 --> 00:55:15.440 align:middle line:84% Do you have other places on social media 00:55:15.440 --> 00:55:19.850 align:middle line:84% that people can continue to follow your work? 00:55:19.850 --> 00:55:21.350 align:middle line:90% It's just Instagram right now. 00:55:21.350 --> 00:55:27.240 align:middle line:84% So it's at LandynPan, L-A-N-D-Y-N P-A-N. Thank you. 00:55:27.240 --> 00:55:28.870 align:middle line:90% Thanks, Landyn. 00:55:28.870 --> 00:55:29.370 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:55:29.370 --> 00:55:31.360 align:middle line:84% All right, y'all, have a good night everyone. 00:55:31.360 --> 00:55:31.860 align:middle line:90% You, too. 00:55:31.860 --> 00:55:33.360 align:middle line:90% Take care. 00:55:33.360 --> 00:55:36.710 align:middle line:90% [MUSIC PLAYING] 00:55:36.710 --> 00:55:44.000 align:middle line:90%