In the Life

Brooklyn-based artist Myles Loftin shares his inspiration and process for “In the Life,” a photo essay aimed at queering Black history.  

“I want to be able to change people's perspective on the world through my photography. I think about who hasn't always been in charge of the way their story has been told throughout history, especially within the media, and I focus on finding ways to incorporate them into the mainstream conversation. When we give the voice back to the people, it allows us to create more honest depictions of these communities, these different identities.

I think that Black people, Black queer people especially, should have the opportunity to see themselves in different ways. A lot of times when it comes to representation, we're expected to do so much to be seen as valid, and I think our everyday lives are worth considering.

For this project, I wanted to create images in which black queer people weren't performing for the camera, but just kind of doing things that we’d normally do. I want Black queer people to see these things, to see people in healthy relationships, to see what is possible and to see that community is possible, creating families is possible. I also wanted to show this sense of intimacy and community that is present among queer people when they interact, whether they're friends or romantically involved.

My process was pretty simple: I found people who were interested and photographed them where they were most comfortable. I approached it kind of like I was a fly on the wall, moving in and zooming in on these tiny details. I focused on capturing candid moments that happen within our everyday lives, the mundane processes that we do with each other like one person doing the other person's hair.

I think it takes trust and connection to create an honest representation of someone. Finding a way to connect with my subjects is such a huge part of my practice as a portrait photographer, but honestly it’s about listening to them, trying to understand their perspective, seeing their beauty and their existence.”

MYLES LOFTIN

This Pride, we partnered with artist Myles Loftin to frame and celebrate images from his photo essay “In the Life” at our Greenwich Village, NYC and 14th Street, D.C. stores. As a thank you for sharing his art with our community, Myles has selected Black Trans Femmes in the Arts (BTFA Collective) to receive a donation from Framebridge in his name.

For more stories of love, art, and activism visit our Pride Wall.