Trans(ition)

For the last 3 years , I have been working with a small group of teenagers who identify as transgender

For the last 3 years , I have been working with a small group of teenagers who identify as transgender, making collaborative portraits with them and this process is very much part of their personal journeys with their gender identity. Some people medically transition , others don’t. Some identify as a man or woman, others identify as non-binary and don’t conform to either label.

In these images rather than directing the subjects, Reme uses the portraits sittings as a tool to inform each sitter’s personal journey as they transition, encouraging the teenagers to reflect upon how they wish to present themselves to the world.

Reme explores nuances of body language to reveal inner psychology.

This is the first work I ask my sitter to write or audio something about their life, experiences, feelings but I think it is a ways for them to express themselves a bit more.

During the lockdown I continued to take portraits but over Zoom.

Also I always ask my sitter/s to tell me something about themselves, or anything about how they feel and usually I present the text with the image too.

I don't usually tell my subject what to do. I wait for them to do whatever they want. I explore body language and prefer to use de-saturated colours. There is always an emotional exchange while I take a portrait. Sometimes I forget I have a camera and it is like I am just seeing the person with my naked eye. I like my images to be quiet, subtle and understated. That's the quietness in my approach- I didn't talk much, I just photographed how they were behaving .

The image of Elio and Luci was shortlisted for The National Portrait Gallery, Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize and also for the Portrait of Britain 2019.