The input of the queer community to photography has been crucial in fostering diverse narratives and methodologies. However, despite their significant accomplishments in the visual arts, their histories have often been overlooked or completely erased. When examining an artistic medium or its history, it becomes vital to appreciate the medium in all its shades and tones, which involves acknowledging marginalized perspectives. To help you achieve a broader and more nuanced viewpoint on photography, we have compiled a list of some of the most captivating queer photo books produced over the years. We strongly advise that you acquire some of these copies, which will undoubtedly enhance your understanding not only of the medium but also of the critical role the queer community plays in our society. For this article, my colleague, Lara Carretero, was exceptionally helpful in providing a comprehensive list of queer photo books.
Table of Contents
- Eye to Eye by JEB
- Trans New York, by Peter Bussian and Abby Chava Stein
- Self Evident Truths, 10,000 portraits of queer America by iO Tillet Wright
- Ren Hang, Edited by Dian Hanson
- Same Same but Different by Anna Fux
- I Can Make You Feel Good by Tyler Mitchell
- To Survive on This Shore, by Jess T Dugan and Vanessa Fabre
Eye to Eye by JEB
Reputed as the first photo book focused on lesbians, Eye to Eye stands out as one of the most heartfelt queer photo books. Its uniqueness lies in that Joan E. Brien (JEB) is part of the community and identifies as a lesbian. The idea for the publication emerged when JEB realized she had only seen a single image of a lesbian couple, a selfie she captured with her partner during a kiss. To bridge this gap, she created a book featuring photographs of couples, activists, friends, and lovers. Consequently, Eye to Eye represents an eight-year-long documentation of the lives and experiences of hundreds of lesbians, showcasing their rich and intricate narratives.
Trans New York, by Peter Bussian and Abby Chava Stein
Recognized as a pivotal queer photo book, Trans New York illuminates the experiences of 50 trans, genderqueer, or gender nonbinary individuals. The publication presents photographs taken in iconic locations throughout the city, accompanied by interviews that explore gender identity, spectrum, and societal expectations. The book seeks to challenge prevailing misconceptions and stereotypes while highlighting the beauty, resilience, and compassion that characterize the trans community.
Ren Hang, Edited by Dian Hanson
Ren Hang was a modest revolutionary who turned into a contentious figure in his hometown yet gained immense popularity worldwide. The book, which has been edited by Dian Hanson following the photographer’s tragic suicide in 2017, illustrates who Ren was. The book represents the human body through provocative visuals. His friends, frequently unclothed, were featured on the rooftops of Beijing, China, with body holes erupting flowers, and limbs adorned with octopuses. For this reason, the book may be deemed forbidden by certain cultures and traditions. Nevertheless, Ren has made it clear that his aim was not to eroticize the human body but instead to depict it in various forms, free from any constraints.
Same Same but Different by Anna Fux
This is a self-published photo book that went on to win the award for the best photo book of the year by PhotoEspaña. The publication explores what it signifies to be queer, through the lived experiences of Anna and her gay uncle, across two different generations and locations. “Forty years have passed, and my experiences closely resemble those of my gay Filipino uncle. What we perceive as ‘the past’ remains very much contemporary and in many ways provides insight into what we are enduring today,” Anna shared with us in an interview.
I Can Make You Feel Good by Tyler Mitchell
This is the initial monologue by Tyler Mitchell, expanding upon his US solo exhibition at ICP in New York. What distinguishes this queer photo book is that the photographer reveals a tranquil Black utopia. The concept arose for him when Tyler, while browsing Tumblr, seldom encountered images of Black individuals where they genuinely seemed liberated. The photo book illustrates the diverse shades of Blackness and their joy, envisioning how life would appear if society were not so cruel to people of color.
To Survive on This Shore, by Jess T Dugan and Vanessa Fabre
To Survive on This Shore is an amazing queer photo book that showcases the frequently overlooked older transgender community. Photographer Jess T. Dugan along with social worker Vanessa Fabbre journeyed throughout the US to capture the stories of these older individuals, who exist at a complicated intersection of gender, race, class, sexuality, ethnicity, and additional factors. The book serves as a significant documentation of the struggles and joys of aging as a transgender person and what it signifies to endure when challenges seem overwhelming.
We Deserve This, by Victoria Scott
In this book, trans journalist Victoria emphasizes the blend of her identity, automobiles, fashion, and feminism. The photographs were taken across four states, spanning two years, and illustrate the diversity of transfeminine life in 2020s America. The images feature trans women, vehicles, locations, and, naturally, fashion. In summary, We Deserve This is a book that serves as a love letter to the experience of being trans in this era.