10 hours ago
To Look with Love
AG: Your work often revolves around the act of seeing and being seen. How do you understand this dynamic—especially in photography—where the camera can be both a tool of intimacy and of distance?
JTD: The idea of seeing and being seen is a significant part of my work. There is immense power in letting yourself be fully seen by another person—it's a heightened form of intimacy. Through photography, I am able to make space for others to be seen as they are, which can be particularly important for queer and trans people, as we are not often represented in the mainstream. My photographs are also very personal and speak to the way I see myself and others.
Harry and Janie, 2024
AG: In an era saturated with images, what does it mean for you to create portraits that invite slowness, presence, and reciprocity?
JTD: With my work, I aim to slow down, both while photographing and in the exhibition space. When I'm making a portrait, I work slowly and collaboratively, creating a framework in which a real emotional exchange can take place between me and the subject. In the exhibition space, I invite viewers to spend time, take a long look, and reflect on their own identities and lives through the act of engaging in moments of intimacy with others.