New Queer Photography

There’s nothing like holding a freshly bound book to make you swoon. When the images and text inside create worlds for the imagination, we’re reminded of what a pleasure it is to hold good physical print in hand. Benjamin Wolbergs‘ New Queer Photography conveys exactly that sense of glory. The title showcases a bunch of incredible contemporary photographers, who document subjects from all initials of the LGBTQIA+ community. From the stylised work of Kostis Fokas, to intimate portrayals of romance by Lasha Fox, it’s jam-packed with fresh talent to discover. To take a further peek behind the creation, Glamcult spoke to five photographers featured inside. 

Tell me a bit about you.
When I was a teenager I was obsessed with pictures. I would spend all my money on expensive art and fashion magazines. Around the early 2000s a friend of mine gave me a very old analogue camera and that’s how it all started. For the next three years I studied photography in Athens and began working for fashion magazines. Though it wasn’t until 2013 I started photographing my personal projects.

What does being Queer mean to you?
To be brave and proud of who we are and what we represent. There’s great history behind us as a culture. We’ve helped to bring life, love, creativity, and diversity to society. We will continue to make history, and to fight for equality. As Martha P. Johnson said “No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.”

Why is it important to you to photograph LGBTQ+ persons?
We share a common purpose, and have lived the same experiences. We share the same desire to express ourselves and to express that love.

How does it feel to be part of the New Queer Photography book?
I feel very honored. It’s very encouraging and inspiring to belong to a group of artists that have a common purpose. Artists sacrifice many everyday comforts because of the willingness to offer. And at this moment, Queer art is needed more than ever. When we stand united we become stronger, and our voice has a greater impact.

My advice for younger Queer photographers would be….
Artistically explore and express your Queerness. Be a hundred percent the real you, don’t be afraid to be different, weird, and honest. You are not alone.

Tell me a bit about you.
I grew up in Switzerland and started photography while studying at ECAL. In the beginning, while photography was what I was most passionate about, it also frightened me too. Photography has become a tool of confrontation for myself, a way to experience situations I wouldn’t have otherwise. 

Why is it important to you to photograph LGBTQ+ persons?
Putting light on LGBTQIA+ individuals and listening to their experiences will help us question the toxic expectations of our society.

Which is the most memorable photo you’ve taken?
A Picture for Congrats magazine of 15 almost naked guys. Just to have everyone’s eyes open at the same time was already a big challenge!

In one word, how would you describe your photographic style?
Evolving!

Which Queer icon would you invite to your dream dinner party?
David Bowie.

What subjects/style do you hope to cover in the future?
I love to play with the definition of eroticism, but both the oversexualisation of bodies and puritanical censorship on media makes me want to explore more explicit forms of sensuality and sexuality.

Tell me a bit about you.
I was born in Tbilisi, Georgia. I didn’t have many things to do in childhood but to go to school. At some point I decided I needed a hobby, so I just googled hobbies and chose photography. I forced my father to buy me a small camera and started shooting flowers, trees etc. I quit photography when entering university, but later decided that’s what interested me most. 

What does being Queer mean to you?
A bit like being an activist – it’s to have the urge to change the present and to make it a little bit better. 

Why is it important to you to photograph LGBTQ+ persons?
In Georgia there were almost nobody who was photographing Queer people. When I realised that, I felt I had a responsibility – I had the power of being out, being a photographer, and having friends who were willing to get photographed. 

Which is the most memorable photo you’ve taken?
Right now it’s the photo called Positive, involving five boys standing on a rooftop connected by red cloth. It’s about people with HIV, aiming to show how marginalised and tabooed they are.

What subjects/style do you hope to cover in the future?
I have a dream to photograph Georgian people who are over 50 and who have had to hide their [Queer] identities all their lives – those who had to have straight families and had to be unhappy just to survive in this world. 

My advice for younger Queer photographers would be…
Question yourself and then start questioning everything else. If your art makes at least one person question reality, it means you have succeeded.

Tell me a little bit about you.
We met as pre-teens and established a very close friendship. Each time we’d meet, we’d take a self-portrait always in the same position. Later, we began to integrate expressions of role play into our photos, searching for new ways of non-verbal communication and playfulness. This was the beginning of Red Rubber Road. 

What does being Queer mean to you?
Not taking the straight road through life.  

Which is the most memorable photo you’ve taken?
During lockdown 2020, we started a new series called Together A Part. One that stands out is where our bodies are connected at the waist through a television screen and we become a single entity. 

In one word, how would you describe your photographic style?
Performative

Which Queer icon would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Divine

My advice for younger Queer photographers would be….
The world is full of critics – trust your instinct as a creator.

Tell me a bit about you.
I grew up in Athens but live in Berlin. I have an engineering background, but it wasn’t until 2017 that I started creating a photographic body of work. I started by photographing my life, the Berlin nightlife and my close friends. After posting work via instagram things started taking off. I published my first book “Another Excess” at a relative early stage in my career but it helped me a lot with getting my name out.

What does being Queer mean to you?
Queerness in 2021 is more about the way a person lives their life than their sexual choices; choosing your family, loving whoever (and as many people) as you want, being in touch with your body and its needs, and respecting other people’s boundaries and identities.

Which is the most memorable photo you’ve taken?
It’s really hard to pick, but Afterhours Kiss holds a special place in my heart. I am happy it has been highlighted by the people who have been writing about the book so far.

In one word, how would you describe your photographic style?
Honest. I’m at my best when I’m capturing the moment.

Which Queer icon would you invite to your dream dinner party?
John Waters. He is hilarious and would have a ton of fantastic stories to share.