These 18 Instagram Photographers Were Just Featured in the #GirlGaze Art Exhibition

Goals.

October 22, 2016

If you picked up our September issue starring Tavi Gevinson,you may have noticed a common thread: It was photographed entirely by women — a first for our publication in its 13-year history. That was, in large part, due to Amanda de Cadenet, the multi-hyphenate UK phenomenon who noticed a real need to give shine to women behind the lens. Amanda started #GirlGaze, an organization and a social media campaign designed to spotlight female photographers and showcase the female perspective. This weekend, #GirlGaze; A Frame of Mind comes to the Annenberg Space for Photography, where Amanda and her team have curated over 150 photographs from the young women who helped make this campaign a success. Here, Amanda curates her favorites.

1/19
"Purple," by Amaal Said, 20, London, England, @amaalsaid
The varying tones and light make this a serene, astonishing self portrait by Amaal, whose work is committed to widening representation and portraying intimate beauty.
2/19
"Carefree Black Girls," by Leona Moore, 25, Detroit, MI, USA, @leonalovesphotos
Empowering and fierce: this image celebrates the importance and audacity of female spaces and bodies. Creative Direction by Morgan Bouldes, 20, Detroit, MI, USA @morgan.bouldes

3/19
“Correspondência” by Alice Vasconcelos, 21, São Paulo, Brazil, @____mnemosyne
Everything about how Alice photographs her friend Jacqueline embodies beauty, strength, and fragility. This is one of my favourite images that I think truly rep’s Girlgaze
Melissa Spitz, 2016
4/19
"You Have Nothing To Worry About" by Melissa Spitz, 27, New York, USA, @spitzmelissa / @nothing_to_worry_about
“You Have Nothing to Worry About” is an intimate series—each image is profound and exquisite—about Melissa’s mentally ill mother. “I had spent my whole life dealing with the situation and trying to conceal it, so photographing, in a way, was very liberating,” says Melissa on the project.

5/19
"New Romantics," by Francesca Milano, 24, Milan, Italy, @francimila
Casually cool by the talented Francesca Milano.
6/19
Can't Pin Me Down," by Nandin Dandar, 19, Austin, TX, USA, @nandindandar
A thought-provoking capture by Nandin Dandar—raised in Mongolia by strong women—that speaks to the “reality, hilarity and complexity of being the only WOC in the room.”

7/19
“Julie and Ana, I” by Kiele Twarowski, 20, Chicago, IL, USA, @flleurs
A tender moment, flushed in light and longing: Kiele’s work is an extension of her personal life, establishing a deeply intimate portrayal of those who are dear to her.
8/19
"Maysa," by Luisa Dorr, 27, São Paulo, Brazil, [@luisadorr](https://www.instagram.com/luisadorr]
“Maysa is proud of her skin, her beauty, her African hair,” says Brazilian photographer Luisa Dorr. Maysa is her thirteen-year-old muse and close friend, who Dorr has documented for two years. Maysa is a Young Miss Sao Paolo, and is inspiring the girls of Sao Paolo to flourish in their environment - despite facing poverty, violence, racism and trauma - simply by being a visible, young, girl of color and having the tenacity and will to thrive.

9/19
Bangers + Smash, Sophie Green, 25, London, UK, [@sophiegreenstudio](https://www.instagram.com/sophiegreenstudio]
Documenting British culture and communities, photographer Sophie Green stumbled upon a Stock Car and Banger racing meeting in South London last year. She explored the competitors heart and souls, who dedicate themselves to racing to escape the hardships and normality of daily life. Her portraits serve as a refreshing and surprising take on a little slice of British culture.
10/19
“Samia” by Dafy Hagai, 29, Tel Aviv, Israel, @dafys
One of our favorite ladies, Samia Hamps, seen through the eyes of talented Dafy Hagai.

11/19
"One Size," by Melanie Knight, 23, Manchester, England @meljknght
Melanie Knight is challenging and exploring the barriers we put up to constantly mask our insecurities—by photographing them as naturally as possible: “no fussy styling, just them.”
12/19
“Northern Yemen #4” by Yumna Al-Arashi, 27, Washington DC @yumnaaa
Yumna Al-Arashi shoots some of the most poignant, discussion-driving images while maintaining her striking editorial aesthetic—telling stories about women, human rights, beauty and the world.

13/19
"Believe," by Dominique Brooker, 28, Berlin, Germany
“When they go low, we go high.” - Michelle Obama, 2016. A telling image captured by Dominique Brooker.
14/19
“Eva” Margherita Amadio, 23, Milan, Italy
Margherita Amadio breaks the old, boring archetypes of beauty, fighting against the absurd insecurity and shame with strength and a singular voice.

15/19
“Sarai and Sarae #1” by Miranda Barnes, 21, Brooklyn, NY
So much connection and love in this beautifully framed shot to two young twin sisters.
16/19
“Piper” by Erika Astrid, 32, Portland, OR, USA
Erika Astrid knows how to bring out a range of emotions and expressions with her subjects—capturing and expanding the complexity of beauty.

17/19
“Lost in the Pink Sky” Jill Beth Hannes, 29, Los Angeles CA USA
Jill Beth Hannes brings nostalgia to another level in her dreamlike, cinematic images.
18/19
“Lolita” Hailun Ma, 24, Urumqi, Xinjian Uyger, China
Hailun Ma’s stunning us, once again, with her remarkable portraits.