Portraits that capture non-binary life in America
- Text by Nicole Lane
- Photography by Chloe Aftel
Six years ago, photographer Chloe Aftel embarked on the project Outside & In Between – a cross-country examination of the non-binary and genderqueer community in the United States.
Aftel travelled all over the country talking to and photographing subjects, at a time when the public discourse around genderqueer issues was not as prominent as it is today. In order to find them, she posted on social media and let the news spread by word of mouth.
For the project, Aftel made sure to remove all signs of “professional” portrait work: the shots are not located in a studio, use only natural light, and are not airbrushed. They are raw and real – depicting a community that makes up our population, but is often forgotten or abused by the mainstream.
“I want people to be their most honest selves, to be imperfect and vulnerable and beautiful, as that honesty is what moves me the most,” Aftel explains. “I want to hear about the subject, what they are or are not into, what they do, how they feel, a story about their life, whatever they are into. Anything is fair game to discuss if they are willing.”
Many of the subjects are looking directly at the camera and appear proud, strong and confident. This is partly because Aftel made sure that each person was in control of their environment, and given the chance to discuss exactly how they would be presented. “It was a dual purpose request, as it allowed them to feel comfortable which was key, but it also allowed me more insight into who they are,” she says. “Be it a room filled with their things or an environment where they feel peace, where they chose greatly enriched the image.”
Outside & In Between has already received several international photography awards and is available now. A portion of the proceeds from the four hundred signed copies will go towards The Trevor Project, which is a suicide and crisis support for LGBTQ youth.
Follow Nicole Lane on Twitter.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
In Photos: A decade growing up in pre-gentrification Lower East Side
A new photobook provides an up-close-and-personal look at the life of a Puerto Rican family, documenting them growing up as the world changed around them.
Written by: Isaac Muk
This summer taught us everything is... marketing
Months of historic political violence, memes, auras, and, of course, ‘brat’ has newsletter columnist Emma Garland asking if anything is real anymore?
Written by: Emma Garland
Rick Castro’s intimate portraits of love and remembrance
Columbarium Continuum is an ongoing exhibition of photographs displayed inside the two-story art nouveau columbarium of the iconic Hollywood Forever cemetery.
Written by: Miss Rosen
The disabled Flâneur forcing us to rethink our cities
This perspective-shifting short film follows Phil Waterworth, the wheelchair-bound urban explorer confronting a lack of accessibility in cities like Sheffield.
Written by: Alex King
Chronicling conflict and survival in the Democratic Republic of Congo
A new photo exhibition documents how a brutal conflict on the eastern edge of the country continues to devastate the lives of civilians.
Written by: Miss Rosen
A playful look at Gen X teens coming of age in 1980s America
After fleeing Pinochet, Sergio Purtell created a photographic love letter to the people of his adopted home with the knowing eye of one who has seen their homeland fall to fascism.
Written by: Miss Rosen