Together, we belong to the road
‘‘Together, we belong to the road’’ is an ongoing photography project born out of a desire to document and celebrate unique coming-of-age experiences, particularly those shaped by queerness and moments of transition. It focuses on the spaces we pass through on the way to somewhere else—roads, gas stations, parking lots, and the people who inhabit them—transforming these often uncomfortable, utilitarian places into metaphors for personal journeys.
The initial phase of ‘‘Together, We Belong to the Road’’ focused on creating a photo series of at least seven carefully planned portrait sessions in Switzerland during the summer of 2025, with a focus on the greater Lausanne area. These sessions included a mix of solo and group portraits, staged to capture how young queer people transform everyday spaces—roads, gas stations, and parking lots—into places of empowerment and belonging. The project explores the beauty and complexity of living in physical and emotional third spaces. These transient places, often awkward yet freeing, become metaphors for personal journeys and sanctuaries where queer teens of all ages find fleeting autonomy.
Having spent my childhood in the United States, these places are steeped in nostalgia. They evoke memories of being on the road, representing freedom and the open possibilities of an empty sky. Due to globalization, similar spaces exist in Switzerland, where I now live and work. This resemblance allows me to blend my dual identities—Swiss and North American—and reflect on how these spaces connect my past and present.
This project represents a diverse array of queer people through a collaborative docu-fiction approach. Each narrative is co-created with the models, blending their unique identities and interests into visuals that feel authentic. By prioritizing listening and collaboration, I ensure photography becomes a positive, affirming experience, transforming the medium into a tool for self-expression and celebration.
The collaboration process started before each shoot, and with each model, a mood and « persona » was established. In some cases, the person in the image was very close to who they are in reality, and for others, a completely imagined alter ego. This freedom allowed the people participating in the series to explore different sides of themselves that they had previously not had the chance to encounter.
We are living through a pivotal moment in LGBTIQ+ history. Anti-trans hate and homophobia are rising, with lawmakers in some countries restricting queer rights. ‘‘Together, we belong to the road’’ resists narratives of queer existence as one of suffering, instead celebrating resilience, joy, and hope. It documents the creative ways queer communities support one another and collectivize care, ensuring queer and trans lives are not erased or misrepresented for future generations.
‘‘Together, we belong to the road’’ asserts the importance of queer stories in shaping our collective understanding of identity and resilience. To learn to love yourself is to learn to love the journey it takes to get there. By celebrating the beauty of transitional spaces and the people who navigate them, this project creates a lasting archive of queer joy and transformation for generations to come.
0 / 0
