I'm Gordy, a 19-year-old Puerto Rican boy who's lived in Nashville for most of my life. I was recently broken up with, because I wasn't masculine enough for the guy I was with, and it hurt tremendously being that I was falling hard for him. So I decided to merge one of my biggest passions, photography, with one of my biggest struggles growing up: finding who I am, and being shamelessly proud of it. I have always loved all things feminine, including flowers, so that's why I decided to incorporate my two favorite flowers, roses and baby's breath, in the shot. It symbolizes who I am, not who others want me to be, and it's just a huge FU to my ex. This is my truth and I am proud of it. – GORDY VALCARCEL / NASHVILLE, TN (PHOTO BELOW)
As a photographer, there's nothing more vulnerable than reversing the roles and posing for a portrait. It's incredibly intimate to have someone's entire attention focused on me as I exist in the here and now. Being in front of the camera makes me incredibly uncomfortable, but also reveals new things about me each time: my tenderness, my magic, my depth. I'm learning there is power in letting myself be seen. – KELSEY PRATER / KNOXVILLE, TN (PHOTO ABOVE)
– ILLUSTRATION (ABOVE) / CELESTE CELESTIAL
I'm determined to tell the world stories through my lens. I have always embraced adventure, new sights, new people and old things. I want to inspire individuals in all ranges to come out of their creative box and make this world beautiful through their art. – DAHVEMBI NEAL / CHICAGO, IL (PHOTO ABOVE)
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