Headshot by Horace Long, Photographer

Today begins a new feature, a weekly “spotlight” of our fellow ASMP NY members.  I'll introduce inspiring men and women that are world renowned, at the beginning of their careers, and somewhere in between.  Here we'll celebrate each others accomplishments and how their work moves the world forward. My name is Teresa Kruszewski, a current board member and the fortunate person to spend time with each member and get to know their story.  I hope you enjoy our new feature.

This week, our Featured Member is Mariette Pathy Allen.  Her work focuses on Transgender Themes. Along with exhibitions and books - she consults for documentary films. “In 1998 I worked with Kate Davis and David Heilbroner on a film for A&E television: "The Transgender Revolution". It was the first documentary to emphasize political issues along with personal stories and was nominated for a GLAAD media award.”(Quote from Mariette’s Website)




T.  You joined ASMP in 1982.  What brought you to the organization initially?

M.  I met some members of ASMP and got excited by the idea of a photographers' union. It made me feel taken care of. I also thought of ASMP as a special club; after all, I had to be recommended by two members and to have a portfolio to show!

T.  And why did you continue?
M.  I continue to see ASMP as a union.

T.  What has it allowed you to accomplish as a professional that you would not have been able to do on your own?
M.  I've used my ASMP press card to get into parades and other events. I've gone to a number of educational seminars, as well as parties.

T.  Has there been one thing that stands out for you as being part of this organization?
M.  I've always been impressed by the scope of legal efforts. ASMP's lawyers fight for our rights!  Of course, I also enjoy getting to know other members.

T.  As I look at your work I am both inspired and drawn in to your subjects.  Did you know all along what you wanted to shoot or did it evolve?
M.  I didn't plan to be a photographer; I expected to spend my life as a painter. When I received my MFA from the University of Pennsylvania, photography wasn't even included in the curriculum. A few years later, just by chance, I took a course with Harold Feinstein, a brilliant and charismatic photographer and teacher. I was doing street photography then, and still prefer working spontaneously. I was surprised that I kept getting hired, and loved my jobs. Being a photographer helped me handle my shyness; it became my passport into the world. Ten years into my career, I had another fortuitous experience: I met a group of cross-dressers, one of whom became my friend and introduced me to a hidden world. Along the way, when I've felt stuck, I've found mentors.  I am very grateful to Allen Frame, highly respected as a photographer, writer, curator, and teacher. To my great good fortune, he substituted for Nan Goldin at a workshop I took in the early '90s.

"Kiwi at a coffee shop", © Mariette Pathy Allen, Cover of the book: "The Gender Frontier" published by Kehrer, 2004

T.  How do you feel your photography contributed to the people/community in which you documented?  What lead you to books and then documentary films?

M.  When I started making portraits of cross-dressers, I may have been something of a pioneer in the way I worked with them. I felt that they were depicted in the media as unsavory, solitary, creatures of the night. I wanted to defreakify the community I came to know very well. The photographs usually offered my subjects their first glimpse of themselves as attractive, dignified, lovable people, which helped rid them of their lifelong feelings of shame and guilt. The photographs were also helpful in offering a different view to people who had fixed assumptions or were simply ignorant on the subject of gender variance.

T.  Your work has been highly recognized.  And your work touches on issues that still are not resolved, understood.  How do you think your images have opened the eyes of the world to be more accepting and understanding?

M.  As I continued my work with cross-dressers, I looked for family members who would be willing to be photographed with them, especially spouses and children. I also felt it important to include the voices of my subjects and their partners and children. Many of the wives felt that nobody considered their feelings and were grateful to be interviewed. As a result of this work, "Transformations: Cross-dressers and Those Who Love Them", was published. It had a profound effect on "the community", and had an impact on the outside world as well. As I continued working with transgender people, I focused on the diversity of gender variant people, on youth, and on political activism. "The Gender Frontier" continued my focus on  presenting them in the daylight of everyday life, and in documenting a movement that is evolving exponentially. I continued to include interviews and stories: I believe subjects deserve the right to speak in their own voices.

I have worked on five documentary films, starting in 1984. Four of them are focused on transgender issues, one on homelessness. I was the still photographer on all, and the consultant on three. Some of the still images from the films are included in my books. I've also participated in many radio and television programs. On my own, I do slide presentations for schools and other organizations. I don't claim to be an impartial observer. Fighting discrimination is part of what I do in this work but it is also my work as a fine arts photographer. Fortunately, it has been exhibited internationally, and is in museum and private collections.



T.  What is your current project?
M.  I'm in the early stages of several projects. I've already made some photographs of gender non-conforming people in other countries, including Cuba. I intend to focus on Cuba, and will return this fall. I've started working with a transgender veteran who lives in a VA shelter. I have a series, "Scapes" that is not about people, is totally unpredictable, and feels more connected to my roots as a painter.

T.  Where can one go to see your work and learn more about you?
M.  I have a website:  mariettepathyallen.com

T.  Is there anything that you would like to say to new photographers as they start their professional journey?
M.  Enjoy your jobs. Don't complain too much. Find your passion, and don't be impatient for (whatever you consider) success.

T.  Final words….
M.  Thank you, ASMP!


I’d like to thank Mariette for taking the time this week to share with us.

Until next week!
Teresa, 51art

EDITORS NOTE: ASMP is not a union, but is the leading trade association for professional photographers. We promote rights, education, better business practices and ethics.

ASMP New York has Relaunched SHARPEN, the online magazine of ASMP New York. We have daily news, features, advice and over 20 columnists. The New Site Can Be Found At http://www.sharpen-ny.org/