Vitoria Leona Photographs Individuals who Promote Self-Acceptance
Vitoria Leona is an 18-year old photographer from Belém, Brasil who tries to communicate self-acceptance in her photography.
"I try to photograph normal people, not models who don't correspond with the faces and bodies we see on the streets in our daily life. I photograph my friends, the teenagers in my city, people around me - they are real and so is my work," she explains.
Leona began her journey into photography six years ago. "I've been photographing portraits since 2014 and have been really fortunate to have my work recognized both in my country and internationally," she shares.
Her uncle, a photographer, inspired her to explore the craft. Since starting in 2011, she has dedicated herself to learning through workshops and other forms of study. "When I first started shooting portraits, I used an analogue camera. I still shoot analogue and love it, but I’m now more focused on digital photography," she adds.
This particular photo series was shot in Lisbon, Portugal.
"I spent a month in Lisbon and was lucky to collaborate with young locals. The charismatic model in these photos is Stef Brown. He works as a model and at a store in Lisbon. When I photograph someone, I often draw inspiration from their style, and Stef was no exception—he has such a unique look. We took the photos in downtown Lisbon, where he often spends time."
Reflecting on the reception of her work, Leona says, "Sometimes it really surprises me to hear people talk about how good and inspiring my photography is and how it has touched them. These people often see much more in my work than I do because I simply create with love."
Photography: Vitoria Leona