The Story Behind Rebel

I love concepts in photography and images that have a story or meaning behind them. I knew upon releasing the website, I wanted photos that would reflect the different aspects of who I am as a person, my strengths, weaknesses and what all of that looks like to the rest of the world. I discovered that I’m a lot of things, too many to capture in just one set of photos. We ended up dividing the photography into 3 different parts, one being Rebel.

Rebel is the bad-ass version of me and a representation of anyone brave enough to question society’s boxes, limitations and what’s deemed acceptable or unacceptable. I don’t know if it’s fueled by ego or intuition, but on behalf of myself, it keeps me going when I feel pressured to give in and do things the traditional way. It consoles me when I feel like I don’t fit in. It’s the voice inside of me that validates my decisions to break rules and go my own way.

I talk a lot about being sensitive, shy and introverted, but in a lot of subtle ways, I can be the complete opposite: loud, outspoken, and present in boldness. I’m not picky; just very particular when it comes to self-expression.

My music, sense of style that changes often, food and diet, hair, and career choice — when it comes to those areas — I do what I want freely, in a rebellious, but also very intentional way.  There are things I’m not willing to compromise on because I feel I have the right to choose. Everyone should have the right to choose who they want to be. In losing that right, I know I could lose myself and everything that makes me an individual.

I fight and live for our right to choose. That’s why IATA exists.

On the contrary, Rebel is not always this heroic. It’s also symbolic of the wall I sometimes use to shield others from vulnerability and real emotions as a woman who is becoming. It’s a surface-level exterior that clings to my personality and overall being. Only Tupac can put into words how conflicting it can be.

I’m the hardest n*gga out there ’cause I’m real. But, I’m also really soft—I’m very sensitive—that’s why I’m so harsh, ’cause I’m so sensitive.

I’m inspired by culture. a 90s kid stuck in the 90s. I like loud, provocative music, which we played while shooting (the photography). I’m influenced by minimalism. I love to learn. I like to share that knowledge with others. As a writer and journalist, I live to expose truth and authenticity. Rebel is more than grunge fashion and aesthetic. It’s the desire to reshape and make the world more inclusive and accepting of who we really are.

To see more images from IATA’s Rebel Series, click here.