No Mames

Photographer Mayan Toledano shares the stories of her queer community with empathy and respect. Although based in New York, she is increasingly drawn to Mexico City, which she considers a creative haven. No Mames pays tribute to the local LGBTQ artists, designers and creators currently contributing to Mexican culture, many of whom are couples, roommates or childhood friends. The portraits in the series follow a dual process: first, Toledano captures her subjects as they present themselves in everyday life; then, she photographs them as they would like to appear, accompanying the construction of their imaginary selves. This collaborative act of wish fulfillment sometimes coincides with real-life transformations, as when Toledano follows one of her subjects, Havi, through her gender transition, during which she underwent breast augmentation surgery.