Paul is a wonderful trans man I met a few months ago. One thing he said to me I will never forget: "It's riot to be queer and happy. We are allowed to be happy in our bodies. There is something called body-euphoria." Regardless of what society thinks of us, regardless of gender norms and outdated beauty stereotypes. We can be queer and happy at the same time. I guess that's what is missing in the media. Queer and happy riots. But now the unseen become seen in all their happiness, beauty and strength. Thank you Paul for letting me take this picture of you. 

Paul

I think in this day and age we don't see enough trans people celebrating their bodies, being happy about their bodies and just embracing themselves. So taking these images of Linus was a wonderful moment, because we both knew that we were creating something that others could identify with. 

Linus 

REPRESENTATION is a video and photo project by photographer and filmmaker Sophia Emmerich. 
We often talk about representation and authenticity, but what does that really mean? What does good representation look like? This series answers these questions by giving people from the queer community the oppourtunity to tell their own definition of good representation. Because there is no “one-fits-all” solution. Good representation is as diverse as we are. 
What started as a small portrait series with friends turned into a whole body of work that makes people feel seen, valued and understood. 


Representation - Eve

Representation - Jarrod 

REPRESENTATION is a video and photo project by photographer and filmmaker Sophia Emmerich. 
We often talk about representation and authenticity, but what does that really mean? What does good representation look like? This series answers these questions by giving people from the queer community the oppourtunity to tell their own definition of good representation. Because there is no “one-fits-all” solution. Good representation is as diverse as we are. 
What started as a small portrait series with friends turned into a whole body of work that makes people feel seen, valued and understood. 

Representation - Seine

Whenever I am unclear about what my purpose in art is, I look at this quote: 

"There will not be a magic day when we wake up and it's now okay to express ourselves publicly. We make that day by doing things publicly until it’s simply the way things are."

Tammy Baldwin // Openly gay senator in the U.S. 

Model: Jan / Eros represented by uns* 
Make Up: Annika Berndt


Post Gender Beauty - Jan

We live in a world that is more diverse than ever. At least that‘s what we think. But when we look at the beauty industry, the fashion editorials and the representation on TV we‘re still not where we should be. Especially transand non-binary individuals are unlikely to be seen. Not long ago the German Supreme Court acknowledged the third gender and the Merriam-Webster dictionary announced the personal pronoun "they" as 2019‘s word of the year, but still we don‘t see a lot of change.

With my work I want to be a step in the direction of more visibility and representation for all. 

Model is the lovely Rhama, a non-binary musician, originally from Chile, living in Berlin. 

Post Gender Beauty - Rhama

Art has the responsibility to portray human beauty, not outdated conventions. We’re at the beginning of a journey that hopefully ends with an image of human beauty that’s not defined by gender or stereotypes, but simply by authenticity.

The Post Gender Beauty series is supposed to break gender stereotypes and make the viewer rethink. 

Aaron was the wonderful model for these images. 
Hair&Make Up done by Rhama.

Post Gender Beauty - Aaron 

A photo project that makes you think and question your social norms. Red lipstick as the sign of female empowerment combined with male beauty.

Because beauty has no gender.
Because empowerment has no gender.

The photos were part of an exhibition in Berlin on the 22nd of November 2018 at Anita Berber Bar.

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