The GirlGaze Project, “A Frame of Mind,” is a groundbreaking photography exhibit featuring the work of young girls. This free exhibit opened to the public October 22nd at Skylight Studios at the Annenberg Space for Photography, and runs through February 2017.
My husband and I had the distinct honor of attending the opening party for the exhibit “GirlGaze: A frame of mind” on behalf of our daughter, Bianca Valle. She couldn’t attend because she is a student at NYU and had midterms.
Bianca Valle photo by Libby Gray for Urban Outfitters Blog
Her work was selected from over 40,000 entries and she has two photographs on display as part of this show.
Lucia by Bianca Valle at the GirlGaze exhibit. (bottom row, girl wrapped in comforter).
The 21 year-old is an aspiring photographer who has shot for Refinery29, Getty Images, and Lane Bryant among others. Valle was hired to shoot specifically for another groundbreaking campaign called “See The 67 Percent.” Refinery29 and Getty Images teamed up with Lane Bryant (the plus-size fashion company) to bring awareness to another issue: 67 percent of women are not represented in the media. #Seethe67 is a campaign that aims to break the ‘model-esque’ mold of how women are represented in the media, and to help give exposure to the 67% who are not seen.
GirlGaze is also a revolutionary exhibit targeting women. It was curated entirely on social media, and features photographs taken by young girls from their point of view.
“Mallory” by Bianca Valle at the GirlGaze Exhibit.
What is GirlGaze? This movement is the brainchild of British television host, actress, and photographer Amanda de Cadenet. She was the first woman photographer to shoot a cover for Vogue Magazine. Cadenet realized that women were underrepresented in the professional area of photography, and she set out to change this.
Amanda de Cadenet at the GirlGaze Exhibit
Cadenet assembled a team of remarkable women who are also leading the next generation of women photographers. They want to propel these young girls’ work into the spotlight so they can get noticed and paid for their creativity, too. The GirlGaze Project intends to make an impact on the industry and on the next generation of women photographers.
Amanda de Cadenet, Amber Heard, and the GirlGaze team attended the opening of “GirlGaze A Frame Of Mind.”
Raising awareness about girls and women being underrepresent or underpaid for their work is a fight that was started long ago. Yet, the struggle continues. As Cadenet said about her effort to increase opportunities for our young girls, “this is a chip in the glass ceiling.”
Amanda de Cadenet with some of her GirGaze photographers
Thank you Amanda and to the team at GirlGaze.tv for blazing the trail for creative young girls like my daughter, Bianca Valle.
Alejandro and Suzette Valle
We are truly grateful for your boldness and bravery on their behalf.
Do you know a young girl photographer? Help her by letting her know to tag her photos on Instagram with the hashtag #GirlGaze. Let’s help lift up the female gaze of the next generation of women photographers!
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