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Final photo book

The photo book, candidly queer is a journey through the lives of queer people in southern Alberta. This book shows the different faces of queer individuals. Almost every page in the book is a different format, this is to highlight the differences within the queer community and highlight the nuances of being a queer person and how it strays away from society. 

Ellie Saunders (she/they)

Candidly queer 

A collection of 2SLGBTQ+ portraits

Candidly queer is a photo book built to show the diversity of queer faces and the different identities that can be shown within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The way this photo book is put together is meant to highlight those points exactly. Pages are all different and are that way to show that no two individuals are the same. For this project I have tried my best to capture individuals in the way that they are most comfortable. 

I have many people to thank for being part of this project, My friends, partners, family and acquaintances. During this photo journey you will see quotes that will either be famous quotes, some that individuals have brought to me specifically for this project or ones that I have written. Many of these photos were taken at different events for Q space (the gender and sexuality alliance at the university of Lethbridge). 

Some quotes from the book:

Queer lives are questioned by many people. It is important to celebrate queer lives and document them. 

The focus of individuals in society is on what they look like and how we perceive them to be. Sometimes it is what is going on in the background that matters more. 

We cannot focus on what others think are imperfections, we will get lost and no longer be ourselves.

The universe owes me nothing, so I’m free to be as weird and wonderful as i want to be. 

The personal is political, pride is political. 

As queer people we are exposed to others. We are exposed to the elements. We are not free to be who we are in a world that questions our very existence. We are on display for the world to see.

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