“Dispatches” is an in-depth look at those living artistic lives. Each episode will feature photographs and audio interviews with narrative pioneers who have taken creativity and publishing into their own hands. From artists to authors, photographers to philosophers, Dispatches will reveal the faces and foundations of those who lead the creative way.
Jesse Freidin (b. 1981) was America’s leading fine art dog photographer for the past 15 years and now focuses his attention on elevating the experience of the trans/tgnc community through portraiture and interviews. His photography is part of over 150 private collections and has been exhibited in galleries from coast to coast. His current series entitled “Are You OK?” addresses the dangers of the current wave of anti-trans legislation sweeping the country in a passionate attempt to erase stigma and elevate the voices of those most affected. He identifies as a queer human.
Jesse’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, The Huffington Post, Them, Poz Magazine, Yahoo!, MTV, Live! with Regis and Kelly, Inside Edition, The Bark Magazine, Dogster, Garden and Gun Magazine, The New York Post, Four and Sons Magazine and many more. He is also the creator of three viral photography series: The Doggie Gaga Project (2010), When Dogs Heal: Powerful Stories of People Living with HIV and the Dogs That Saved Them (published by Lerner Books 2020, #1 New Release on Amazon), and Finding Shelter: Portraits of Love, Healing and Survival (published by Lyons Press 2017).
Comments 8
You had me at “fine art dog photographer.’ All levity aside, I will be listening to this, as more and more I think animals, ironically enough, may lead the way back to us being more humane.
Author
We can only hope. Birds are my way back, as they disappear at an alarming rate.
Thanks for the birthday present, Dan, really enjoyed this interview. Totally identify with the introvert work persona, and glad to have left it behind with retirement. I hope his pop up exhibit makes it to my area sometime in the future, I’ll be watching for it.
Author
It might, actually. I’ll be seeing him soon, so I can ask. Glad you enjoyed.
Thanks Dan. I love when you do these interviews.
Author
They are fun, easy and informational.
What a gorgeously written and true description of the Jesse Freidin our family knows. And of course the conversation was dear to our hearts! Jesse’s work changes the narrative of our queer kids and our community. As for our older child’s portrait sitting with him, the session was transformative in that H felt they would have an impact on others like them. Shortly after the session they returned to their own creative life (as if being themself isn’t a work of art!) by working on an animated film and entering culinary school after a too-long but not unusual existential struggle. We tell H that their activism is embodied in getting up each day and showing up as who they are. Thank you, Daniel, for recognizing Jesse, whose presence and what he presents are profound, more than he can ever know. And, nice to be newly acquainted with you, too!
Author
Wow, well said. And you are very welcome. Jesse did all the hard work. I just asked a few questions. Nice to meet you as well.