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Female Photographer Approaches Men Who Catcall at Her and Takes Their Portrait

By Jenna Garrett on October 30, 2013

This project is a work in progress documenting a part of my life as an African-Mexican-American, transitioning from suburban Colorado to consistently being harassed on the streets of Philadelphia. These images are a response to my subjects looking at me, and myself as an artist looking back. — Hannah C. Price

Emerging photographer Hannah Price reverses the power of the male gaze by photographing men who catcall her. Originally hailing from Colorado, Price moved to Philadelphia after completing her undergraduate and was immediately struck by the loud comments she received while going about her day. Repeatedly running into the same demeaning experience, Price decided to turn her camera on those who shouted after her, transforming the jeer into an exchange. The images feel bold and unmasked, their abrupt manner reflective of the uncomfortable discourse taking place.

Though she does not believe her response causes these men to reconsider their actions, she feels that documenting the encounter allows her to take control of the situation, turning the attention to their behavior rather than her physical appearance. Claiming that the series is neither a judgment on men or a comment on race, the MFA Yale candidate uses her photography as a means of understanding something unfamiliar, hoping to find some sort of common humanity in the process.