Photography: Transcend By Emma Leslie

By Katie Winten

To many, childhood is thought of as a sacred time and space. Children are continually sheltered, protected and spoken for. But just as there’s no finite parental manual, there’s also no unified experience of childhood. How often do we really listen to children’s individual experiences, without discrediting them as immature or ill-informed? How often do we take the time to listen to the unique experiences of transgender children, acknowledging their struggles and offering our unbiased support?

Emma Leslie is a Sydney-based photographer capturing the individual experiences of transgender children. Working collaboratively with 10 children aged 5 – 17, Emma takes the time to listen to the children she photographs, the portraits resulting from a dialogue surrounding how the children see themselves and choose to be seen. We caught up with Emma to chat about her upcoming exhibition ‘Transcend – Portraits of Transgender & Gender Diverse Youth’, featuring her photographic series opening in Sydney on September 1st.

The images in your exhibition portray a strong level of trust between the subject and photographer. What was the process like in building relationships with the children you photographed?

Prior to meeting with the kids for their shoot, I had only been in contact via email with their parents. I was quite surprised how all the kids were so willing and welcoming to sit for me. I think that they knew that this was something special and they really wanted a chance to be part of it and show who they are.

You have a background in film, having graduated from AFTRS in 2010. Do you prefer to work in photography as opposed to film?

I really fell into photography. I was at a crossroads in my life and career in film and tv when I decided to pick up my camera and try to make a business from it. It worked, and I haven’t looked back. It was just meant to be and I feel super lucky. I miss film at times, however I still enjoy shooting video and editing for artists and creatives, capturing little pieces that feature a day in the life of them and their work. It’s like moving portrait photography. The better part of my life and career now is that I’m in control, I get to be my own boss and tell the stories that I want to. No more working for the man 🙂

Your search for young people who wanted to share their experience originated from a Facebook support group, what was your decision making process in relation to photographing individuals and/or their families?

I’m a portrait photographer. I enjoy taking photos of one subject, staring straight into camera, so that the viewer can really see the subject and ask questions about who they are. I had thought about photographing their families and siblings, so on the day of their shoots I did just that. I edited the images of the kids with their families so that they could have a nice memory of that moment and that day in their journeys. These images have also been featured in numerous articles and the feedback on the support of their families seen in the images was really positive.

That visibility of parental support for transgender youth is so important! Were there some stories that stood out from conversing with the parents of the young people you photographed?

The main stories I heard are all very similar. The parents wondered whether they were doing the right thing at times and particularly during the start of their child’s transitions. These parents had more often than not, witnessed their very young children, some as young as 4, self harming and attempting to self mutilate their genitalia. That was enough for the parents to realise that they had to listen to their child and get the help and support they needed.

Has this project connected you with any particular support networks for transgender youth and their families that you can recommend?

Transcend in Melbourne is the main support group that I connected with. You may have seen Georgie Stone on Australian Story this week. Transcend is a support group run by her Mum Beck and it was through her that I was able to connect with all the parents of the kids in the series. I am very grateful for her and her support. They are inspirational.

Will this project be ongoing?

I am still in close contact with all of the parents and the kids that I worked with for Transcend and I hope that the series can gain attention, spark conversations and create awareness. It would be fantastic if it could show overseas in the near future. The next project I have lined up is based on gender and the stereotypes that society has created. It’s working title is ‘XY an Exploration of Gender’ and it will feature striking studio portraits of adults ranging from Drag Queens to Crossdressers and everyone in between.

‘Transcend – Portraits of Transgender & Gender Diverse Youth’ was exhibited in Melbourne from April to May this year, and will be having its final showing in Sydney from Sept 1-28 at GkJE Galleries, Canvas Bar, 364A Kent Street Sydney.