Trans people are focus of photo collection for Transgender Day of Visibility

Adobe is making stock images more representative of society

The International Transgender Day of Visibility, which takes place every year on March 31, is all about raising awareness for and celebrating the transgender community.

It often seems as though portrayals of transgender people in the media are associated with outdated stereotypes and negative connotations.

Adobe Stock has partnered with photographer Bex Day to display the diversity, fluidity and beauty of the transgender community and to improve the inclusivity of stock images.

Dani St James, 25, London - transitioned when she was 17 years old (Adobe Stock/Bex Day)

Day, who’s currently based in Berlin, captured a variety of trans models from across the UK for the photography collection.

The collection is part of Adobe Stock’s project for the month, the ‘Fluid Self’, which aims to explore the transformative nature of identity.

The individuals who posed for Day were all of different ages, ethnicities and each visually unique in their own way.

Michaela Robertson, 54, Essex - began cross-dressing in 2008 and came out in 2016 (Adobe Stock/Bex Day)

One of the people photographed was Dani St James, a 25-year-old from London who began the transitioning process when she was 17 years old.

Michaela Robertson, a 54-year-old resident of Essex, began cross-dressing ten years ago before coming out as transgender in 2016.

Another Londoner, 23-year-old Lulu Love, started transitioning a year and a half ago.

Lulu Love, 23, London - started transitioning a year and a half ago (Adobe Stock/Bex Day)

Ryan Levitt, senior communications manager at Adobe EMEA, believes that it’s essential that stock images are more representative of all members of society.

“Adobe is committed to expanding the range and diversity of images available in Adobe Stock and ensuring there is a more authentic representation of the transgender community is an important part of that,” he said.

“We are working with some truly inspirational contributors to bring this to life in Adobe Stock, with our latest focus on the Fluid Self which provides an exciting opportunity to help challenge harmful myths and stereotypes about people from different backgrounds.

Jude Harper, 27, transitioning since 2015 (Adobe Stock/Bex Day)

“Bex Day’s collection is a fantastic addition to the library.”

Trans folk are being encouraged by GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) to express what they love about themselves by using the hashtag #ILoveBeingTransBc on social media.

“A lot of times when we’re talking about trans issues we’re always focusing on the negative, but there’s so much positivity that comes from being trans as well,” said Debin Lowe, an intersectional activist of trans experience.