"Women are more open, courageous, have more nerve and take on far more risks compared with men." – Peter Lindbergh

This project was inspired by the late, great photographer Peter Lindbergh. 

I recently discovered Peter through a YouTube video about fashion photography, and I immediately became enamored by the man and his work. I started reading everything I could about him. I wanted to know what inspired him, what sparked his creativity. In one interview, he was asked why he shoots almost exclusively with women. He said this:

"Women are more open, courageous, have more nerve and take on far more risks compared with men."

That statement hit me immediately as equally true and fascinating. And it answered so many questions I’ve had during my four years dabbling in photography.

Why is it always women who reach out about photos? Why do the women seem to enjoy the experience more than men? Why do men get so uncomfortable in front of a camera? Why is it more fun working with women? 

I always said it’s just because women enjoy photos more than men do, but that always felt too simple.

Peter Lindbergh was absolutely right: women are more open, more courageous. Women will sit in a chair and show themselves … their faces, their bodies, their thoughts, their feelings. They’re not just having photos taken. They’re saying something. They have something to say. 

I wanted to explore this topic further, so I asked for volunteers to visit my downtown studio for some simple, honest portraits. The only rule was that they had to come ready to express their true selves. I wanted them to wear whatever they thought expressed who they are inside. Don’t pick an outfit that makes for a good photo … wear what makes you feel most like you. 

Before we took the photos, we sat down for an interview about life and about womanhood.  

Here are their photos, accompanied by their words. 

She.