If any group knows judgement, it's the transgender community. People make assumptions about them, based on little to no information.

 

That’s why photographer Emma Leslie set out to show them as they want to be seen, not just as other people choose to see them.

 

And the result is beautiful. Titled Transcend: Portraits of Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth, the series will be shown in an exhibition in Australia this month.

 

It will feature 10 portraits of transgender and gender-diverse youth.

 

“My grandfather said years and years ago, ‘People fear what they don’t know,’” Emma told Buzzfeed.

 

 

“This is why I’m doing this – to show it’s not something to be feared. They’re not choosing this for attention, this is real, it’s their life, it’s reality.”

 

The photos were all taken in places that the kids chose, and in outfits of their choice.

 

“Some of the kids wanted to be at the beach, in the city, some in their backyard, some in their house,” she said. “I told them, you wear what you want, we’ll work with that.”

 

“This is their chance to show the world who they are, how they feel. It was all up to them. It’s a chance for the kids to feel happy in their own skin, as their true self and to inspire others to do the same.”

 

Briella (5)

 

 

For Briella (on left, with sister Shayla), the youngest of the kids photographed, it was the first photo taken of her since her transition to a girl, and she really wanted to be snapped in her new pink room.

 

“She wanted to show the world how she felt inside," Emma said.

 

Ollie (17)

 

 

Budding photographer Ollie wanted to be in the funky, graffiti streets of Newtown, an alternative Sydney suburb which he feels reflects and accepts him.

 

“The outfit I’m actually wearing in the photo is from my school’s Wear It Purple Day which supports LGBTI young people,” he said.

 

“Trans youth are among the most ridiculed people. I’m at a much higher rate of being assaulted, harassed, just for my body, which is mine.”

 

But he’s hoping that the exhibition helps to reduce the stigma. “Hopefully lots of young people will see themselves in these photos,” he said.

 

Evie (11)

 

 

Evie chose to be photographed as a mermaid, as it represents being different to her.

 

“It’s the most powerful photo,” said Emma.

 

“She was just sitting on the rocks and it looked nice and everything, but I said ‘just stand up.’ The water was so calm and clear. She just rose out of the water, with all this strength and power.”

 

Korra (14)

 

 

Korra chose to bring the balloons along to her photoshoot, as they represent air and freedom.

 

The teen feels that she only fully started living after she ‘came out.’

 

“I am a more happier, confident version of myself when I finally started living my authentic, true self,” she said.

 

Taleem (9)

 

 

Taleem (on the right, with sister Nim) said that he’s a boy but doesn’t want to feel pigeon-holed about how he expresses himself.

 

“I’m a boy, but I can present how I choose,” he said.

 

Georgie (15)

 

 

For Georgie, acceptance from her mum was the most important thing, so choosing her photoshoot set-up was a no brainer. Mum had to be involved!

 

"Kids need their parents, first and foremost, so it's wonderful to see Georgie is as close to her mum as ever," Emma said. 

 

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