Emily Dodd-Noble, a Berlin-based analogue photographer, dedicates her work to capturing the raw, genuine, and intimate moments of interaction between herself and her subjects. Dodd-Noble revels in the authentic beauty of one’s personality and their unapologetic sense of self. Guided by frequencies and energies, her practice is highly sensory and delicately attuned to life’s rhythms.
Dodd-Noble immerses herself in voguing balls, queer underground parties, drag shows, and queer festivals, aiming to photograph people from queer, non-binary, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ communities. Through her lens, she seeks to celebrate the strength of their uniqueness and the immense beauty in their true selves, despite societal differences.
“With three years of professional experience and previous features in the British Journal of Photography, Dazed, KALTBLUT Magazine, Trippin’ World, Safe Light Magazine, Keyi, among others, I invite you to explore this project featuring analogue photographs taken within Berlin’s queer underground communities.”
DANCING OFF BEAT provides a visual insight into the safer spaces of Berlin’s underground queer communities, where the beauty and power of uniqueness are cherished. This project would resonate with your readers, emphasizing narrative-driven, striking portraits of these vibrant communities.
A LOVE LETTER TO THOSE THAT ARE LOVED:
YOU ARE SEEN, YOU ARE APPRECIATED, YOU ARE FELT, YOU ARE VALUED, YOU ARE IMPORTANT. PERFECTLY IMPERFECT, JUST THE WAY YOU ARE.
AUTHENTICALLY, POWERFULLY, TRUTHFULLY YOURSELF.
This photographic collection offers an intimate glimpse into Berlin’s queer underground, where ‘otherness’ receives admiration and celebration. ‘Dancing Off Beat’ is a tribute to those who deserve to see their true beauty. The power of an individual lies in their unique rhythm, and to live offbeat is to resonate with one’s frequency.
Feeling safe to express oneself is a profound power, embracing a life lived authentically. Everyone deserves love and appreciation for who they are, finding contentment in their unique existence. Berlin’s queer scene is a vibrant, albeit paradoxically balanced and unbalanced, ecosystem constantly evolving and gaining recognition. The community thrives on a unified quest for acceptance.
Queer individuals must be seen, heard, felt, and valued by mainstream society. We all have the right to love and live as our true selves. For many, acceptance of their uniqueness is not guaranteed. Various backgrounds, upbringings, families, or religious beliefs often restrict one’s self-expression. Everyone deserves a place where they can be themselves freely.
This philosophy inspires these portraits. Attending events like voguing balls, drag shows, and queer festivals, Dodd-Noble captures the radiant energy of individuals in their safer spaces, surrounded by those who understand and accept them. It is an honour to witness their comfort and self-expression, knowing many’s struggles.
In these safe spaces, sexuality, orientation, and gender are comprehended, empathized, and celebrated. Individuals are encouraged to be their true selves, recognizing that their authenticity is their strength.
Entering voguing balls, drag shows, and queer parties brings a visceral momentum. The sense of community and respect is palpable—witnessing such a release of one’s inner self is inspiring. Time seems boundless, with an aura of possibility reverberating through the room.
The energy is electrifying at voguing balls, propelling everyone on a journey of expression. The movement of participants on the runway is a powerful display of confidence, encouraged by the audience’s shouts of support. This moment is theirs, to showcase their power and beauty.
The competitive nature of voguing balls is essential, encouraging participants to express themselves fully, supported by fellow competitors and attendees. This pushes them to be bold, confident, vivacious, and unapologetically themselves. Drag performance likewise offers a space for individuals to explore and evolve into new facets of their identities.
Commanding a stage and defying norms exemplify self-confidence and worthiness of admiration. The comedic and theatrical elements of drag foster a joyous, accepting environment, transporting audiences into a fantastical world created by these vibrant performances.
These unstaged images capture genuine moments. Dodd-Noble seeks to reflect the energy of her subjects through colour and composition, driven by her synesthetic approach. The vibrant, bold palette mirrors the colourful nature of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Intimacy pervades each portrait, documenting a brief but profound connection between Dodd-Noble and her subjects. Empathy and intentionality help create a comfortable environment, resulting in authentic representations of individuals in their natural states. Gratitude lies at the heart of this project.
“I am grateful to all who allowed themselves to be vulnerable with me. It’s not easy to be in front of a camera, so to everyone I photographed, thank you, and be proud of who you are. I see you.”
INSTAGRAM: @emilydoddnoble6
WEBSITE: www.emilydodd-noble.com
