London-based photographer Poem Baker wanted to explore gender and the way we enact it with her latest series, the aptly titled 'Hymns from the Bedroom.'
Baker's subjects vary in occupation, from performance artists to cross-dressers to strippers, but one thing all of the subjects share is a desire to eschew gender boundaries and roles in favor of a purer form of self-expression. In order to keep the photographer-subject relationship as honest and authentic as possible, Baker allowed her subjects complete control when it cames to how much they wanted to reveal.
Capturing these non-conforming adults within the privacy of their homes, Baker hopes to not only explore gender, but also self-expression in general. She wishes to create something that will immortalize an exciting time of exploration.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Nonconforming Self-expression
- Opportunities for disruptive innovation in creating platforms that empower individuals to express themselves in nonconforming ways outside of the traditional constructs of gender.
- Authentic Representation
- Opportunities for disruptive innovation in photography and other forms of art that prioritize authentic representation and allow subjects complete control over how much they reveal.
- Exploration of Gender
- Opportunities for disruptive innovation in research and education that explore the social constructs of gender and promote societal acceptance of non-conforming identities.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Photography
- Photographers can innovate by prioritizing authentic representation in their work and allowing subjects control over their own image.
- Fashion and Beauty
- The fashion and beauty industry can innovate by creating products and marketing campaigns that cater to non-conforming gender identities and promote self-expression.
- Education
- Educational institutions can innovate by offering courses and resources that explore the social constructs of gender and promote acceptance of non-conforming identities.
