Metral shares about her early creative developments and what led her to where she is now, “I was not destined to be a photographer, I studied economics and worked in the private sector for more than 2 years. I felt I needed to connect with my inner self, which is why I decided to become a photographer and explore the world around me. Exploring the queer world is also a way to explore myself and deconstruct all I have built during my childhood in order to be the person I am meant to be. I am interested in people's voices and opinions and the ways they embrace their true selves.”
Embracing one’s identities can and often is a scary step but ultimately a necessary one. Without the freedom to express who and or what we choose to be; our lives would be nothing but boring and monotonous. Relationality and/or the relational self stems from the social construction of who we are, how we see ourselves, how others see us and the care we receive should not be determined by these constructed viewpoints/identities. Particularity focuses on our differences. We have all experienced separate and or individual lives – although some aspects may intersect – that shape who we become as people. And with our differences in self comes our need for differences in how we receive care and possibly how we view love and or care to begin with.
Lydia Metral’s creative process includes getting to know her subjects beyond the given photoshoots which produces a deeper connection which is then represented across her work. In her own words: “For me, creating a photo is by creating intimacy with my subject. I love interacting with them in order to capture their true inner self. Warmth is crucial for me, as well as authenticity. I want the audience to connect with my models the way I connect with them.” Her documentary project captures those differences in an honest and blatant manner. The authenticity comes from the wide range of people involved which in turn bolsters the title of the project as a whole.