What I Be – Daring Portraits by Steve Rosenfield

Steve Rosenfield is the daring photographer behind the “What I Be Project”. He asked volunteers to write their insecurities on skin using a marker. Often, what they wrote are the unkind labels that society had given them such as ‘homo’, ‘trans’, and ‘fat’. My favorite one is the granny with ‘Hitler’ written in the raised middle finger of her right hand. In an interview Steve revealed that he was touched by the participant’s willingness to share their story and how their labels and insecurities affected their lives and relationships. He said: “The ‘What I Be Project’ is all about honesty. n today’s society, we are told to look or act a certain way. If we differ from these ‘standards,’ we are often judged, ridiculed, and sometimes even killed over them. I started this project in hopes to open up the lines of communication, and to help everyone accept diversity with an open mind & heart.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn more about the project here.