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(Music by Animal Hospital, LordX, airtone)
For the past five years, photographer Molly Landreth has been documenting gay and transgendered life with her vintage, large format camera. What started as a handful of portraits for her MFA at the School of Visual Arts has become a robust body of work — spanning the country from brownstones in Brooklyn to farming communities in the Pacific Northwest.
Molly sees her collection as a visibility project, an archive of images that is needed and that she wants to see. Over the course of embarking on this endeavor, she’s pushed her own boundaries: “The project became less about archiving people that I love and more about putting love into the lesser known stories.”
What is most striking about Molly Landreth’s photos are her subjects’ piercing eyes. They often stare down the camera in a defiant, almost confrontational way. The 4×5 large format camera requires her subjects to hold still for up to a minute, allowing them to present themselves to the camera instead of striking a quick pose, as they might for a snapshot. Molly herself is unassuming, letting her subjects choose the setting of their portraits. She describes her process as one of collaboration, relying on “trust and magic” to make beautiful and meaningful images.
Mike Attie’s films have played at and won awards at numerous film festivals, both in the U.S. and abroad. He currently lives in Seattle with his wife Sarah and cats Eddy and Lucy.
88 comments
Sign in to add your ownMouseKitten says:
Beautiful work, full of honesty and love. thank you for sharing
335 days ago
neighborhoodvintage says:
WOW, I absolutely LOVE some of these shots!!!!!! Don't you dare see my shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/neighborhoodvintage?ref=pr_shop_more
335 days ago
Earleyimages says:
Great works
335 days ago
noonblueapples says:
Really gorgeous work!
335 days ago
BingoBox says:
Beautiful work - both Molly & Mike. Thank you for sharing your visions.
335 days ago
tigersanddragons says:
Very Striking portraiture! I've always wanted to try a large format camera for the fantastic level of detail.
335 days ago
myvintagecrush says:
The beautiful woman makes me so happy! Lovely work!
335 days ago
PassionFlowerVintage says:
Beautiful work!
335 days ago
tdurant says:
Molly, what an incredible person you are. Thank you so much for sharing "you warmed my heart!"
335 days ago
Iammie says:
Interesting story and works.
335 days ago
redhardwick says:
Love the pix, especially the Cooper, Oakland one! Thanks for sharing your work!
335 days ago
SoliDeoGloriaSDG says:
AH' your work is Beautiful!! It touches the soul of your subjects.
335 days ago
JewelryByJLy says:
Your work is stunning and truly captivating! I love the heart and soul you feel when looking at the photos! Thank you so much for sharing!
335 days ago
MollCutpurse says:
You have a fabulous eye. Beautiful!
335 days ago
cridley says:
I have a transgendered relative..... If you need a subject in the Dallas, Texas area...drop me a message. I am a photographer too...and I really admire your work, and your camera of choice! Bravo!
335 days ago
HellYeahISew says:
I can appreciate a photographer with such a talented eye. Also, this has nothing to do with this post, but Mike's sort of a hottie, huh?
335 days ago
MootiDesigns says:
I can appreciate beautiful photography now that I'm an etsy seller. My dear friend is passionate about pinhole photography and it actually makes beautiful abstract pictures. Love your eye for it and ability to be one with your camera. I struggle with my picture taking for posting my items here. Great job!
335 days ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Amazing portraits I love how striking they are, really reveals the personality of the 'sitter'!
335 days ago
nliedel says:
I about had a cow when I saw this gorgeous portrait. The personality, the expressions, the joy!! The color!!! It blew my mind and I am loving your work. Love!!!!! This is beautiful.
335 days ago
bibliographica says:
One of my favourites. Incredible, raw, inviting, confronting, beautiful work. I love a photographer that challenges the viewer - captivates. This work does just that. Wonderful!
335 days ago
BooHu says:
Stunning Stuff! http://www.etsy.com/shop/BooHu?ref=si_shop&view_type=gallery
335 days ago
sacredsuds says:
I just cannot get over that portrait. It does everything a portrait is supposed to do - it grabs me, pulls me in, radiates character, gives me an absolute sense of this woman's fabulous essence, makes me feel like i know her just by looking at this picture of her. I want to be her friend, just to be around her and all of her glorious charisma! Brilliant work.
335 days ago
DessertWine says:
Souls connect in these photos...nothing less than amazing!!
335 days ago
ChrissiesRibbons says:
Beautiful and powerful images.
335 days ago
PolClary says:
Amazing. I love what is said about how when you have a digital camera, people know how to act. But when they see a beautiful old camera like that, they're different and calmer.
335 days ago
swaggjewelry says:
Awesome story. Striking photography. Thanks for sharing.
335 days ago
grandmamarievintage says:
Beautiful video and photos. Such an amazing project, keep it up!
335 days ago
theroyal says:
very original and important work.. congrats
335 days ago
DoBatsEatCats says:
Such beautiful work! You do a great job of conveying emotion through your photos. love it!
335 days ago
Gallivants says:
Stunning, soulful photographs Beautiful artistic vision Engaging video Kudos to you both and all of the subjects!
335 days ago
RedorGrayArt says:
i really enjoyed watching you set up the camera and watching you work .. a wonderful blast to the past with here and now subjects ~
335 days ago
JennasRedRhino says:
When I see this I hope that it is something that will somehow help gay marriage a legal reality. I guess every little drop helps to fill a bucket, right?
335 days ago
mamif says:
wonderful photos! and love the large format camera
335 days ago
jungledread says:
Love the unique style
335 days ago
thedogshouterer says:
Molly, your description of why you use a 4x5 is almost precisely as I have described my reasoning. I get asked "Why?" a lot. Love the portrait of Chickadee's family and love your commitment to process. Shannon
335 days ago
BCharmer says:
Wow, touching and wonderful. Thank-You.
335 days ago
BCharmer says:
Wow, touching and wonderful. Thank-You.
335 days ago
AnnaBeauDesigns says:
Truly talented, truly a lovely person.
335 days ago
blueskyclouds says:
So glad you featured this artist. I have had her "Cooper" photo marked as a favorite for a while, and I hope to buy it sometime. There's something just so amazing about it...
335 days ago
accentonvintage says:
Great talent!
335 days ago
Caremel says:
Wow, I wish I had $500 to buy you photo of meg and renee... It is absolutely beautiful, as are so many of your others. I love your work and your project.
335 days ago
MaggiePainting says:
Stunning photography. Love it!
335 days ago
katrinaalana says:
Beautiful work!
335 days ago
atomicteapot says:
These are... just stunning. My fiancée is a transgendered individual and the process is such a heartbreaking and financially trying endeavor. And yet, when I see portraits like these... It warms me, and renders me speechless. You have captured something so very special with your subjects.... Thank you, so, so much.
335 days ago
TheIDconnection says:
I love these photos! Amazing Monica TheIDConnection
335 days ago
MetroGypsy says:
Absolutely fascinating-and beautiful. It's clear there's passion for the work, and a real love for that gem of a camera. Keep it up!
335 days ago
ikabags says:
Great work !
335 days ago
monkeysalwayslook says:
What an inspiring story. The photos are simply amazing.
335 days ago
fanciness says:
absolutely beautiful video and photography.
334 days ago
heidiadnum says:
Love your work, Molly. Your photographs are beautiful and inspiring. Great video, too, Mike!
334 days ago
DreamCake says:
Fantastic! How fun you use your old camera. I love photography and would love to eventually incorporate it into my shop. For now, just jewelry and accessories :) Keep up the good work!
334 days ago
Niftic says:
Fabulous Work! You inspire me!
334 days ago
ericawalker says:
Molly's connection to her subjects is apparent in her striking work. Thanks so much for this peek into her project and world.
334 days ago
ambeolin910 says:
<3
334 days ago
AmyKristineVintage says:
So amazing and inspiring!
334 days ago
kathyjohnson3 says:
Thanks for sharing!
334 days ago
jmbarclay says:
Great video and photography!
334 days ago
skyetaylorgalleries says:
Wow! Some of the photos were brilliant! I love that camera! Great job! Very interesting subjects to photograph. The photos are so cool and interesting they should be in a huge book.
334 days ago
momosoho says:
What a beautiful body of work so far.....i feel your love and connection with the people you photograph...your heart is so big!!! Peace, Maureen
334 days ago
wabiMYsabi says:
In awe! Wonderful!(: xo ~valerie
334 days ago
LivingVintage says:
Wonderful portraits!
334 days ago
MagoosGlasses says:
Absolutely stunning. Thank you for a beautiful story on a dreary, rainy Wednesday
334 days ago
MagoosGlasses says:
Absolutely stunning. Thank you for a beautiful story on a dreary, rainy Wednesday
334 days ago
MegansMenagerie says:
Wow! Love what you do. I love that you have shared these stories! Keep up the great work :)
334 days ago
thestapeliacompany says:
Wow. I do portrait photography, so this sort of thing interests me anyway, but the people and the faces are fascinating. Thank you for sharing!
334 days ago
ApollinaireVintage says:
Riveting and touching. And I adore that beautiful camera!
334 days ago
jammerjewelry says:
Wonderfully Done.
334 days ago
jmbarclay says:
Great Photography!
334 days ago
tatimaia says:
Oh, boy... That's SO cool! Never have seen something like that before. This camera is amazing! WOW! Hugs and greetings from Brazil, Tati
334 days ago
MasonRabbitsPaperie says:
Wonderful photographs!
334 days ago
queenofqueens says:
Projects like this which document the lives of queer folks are important and paradigm shifting. Thank you for demonstrating the exceptional beauty found in the ordinary lives of LGBT people with such deftness and sensitivity. xo~QoQ Queer Team Leader
333 days ago
jerise says:
Wonderful work--I love these images, and think that in a world where "queer" is not very visible sometimes this is a very important project. (Queer Team member, yay!)
333 days ago
BunnyKissd says:
BEAUTIFUL images! Thank you so very much for sharing them with the world. ♥♥♥ ~Diana
333 days ago
kitschcafe says:
I love this! Thank you for highlighting the GLBT community on Etsy. We're here, we're queer and we are Etsy sellers!
333 days ago
shop1848 says:
Gorgeous work! Your images have lots of heart, I love them!!
333 days ago
SnipSnipArt says:
Beautiful video, beautiful girl! This entire film was so calm and and so uplifting. She had such a sincere demeanor, just wonderful.
332 days ago
glusk says:
I really admire your work and your gorgeous subjects
332 days ago
unicornleather says:
And today, we celebrate a degree of equality! Go New York! :)
332 days ago
AVATARB3DCOV3R says:
Admired..your work AVATAR ARTbed cover Bali http://friendster.com/avatarbedcoverbali
331 days ago
AllThatIAm says:
Spectacular work Molly :)
329 days ago
OhFaro says:
Thank you for sharing this lovely work.
329 days ago
dslookkin says:
I loved this so much!
329 days ago
GratitudeLady says:
Hurray for NY...maybe you can add our weddings now to your wonderful personal work! Thank you.
329 days ago
fbstudiovt says:
As someone who had a long term relationship with a transgendered individual who opened my eyes to all the wonderful gender variance in this world, THANK YOU!!!! The discrimination my former partner faced still makes me angry on a daily basis and I'm so thankful for everyone who has the courage to show that gender is fluid and not necessarily tied to chromosomes.
327 days ago
kristenknits says:
Absolutely beautiful work! Thank you for sharing.
327 days ago
artispartem says:
Beautiful! Thank you! Thank you!
313 days ago
nestingemily says:
I am blown away- what beautiful work and such an amazing project. Thank you for making the world a more wonderful place!
274 days ago
Michael from BroncatiJewelry says:
I love it, I loved the video and I loved your work!
62 days ago