The Photographic Interviews: Eliza Hatch & The Portrait of the Postmodern Woman

Lomography
Aug 22, 2017 · 4 min read

The 21st-century metropolis still poses discomfort and offenses against women, mostly through harassment. In this photographic interview, UK-based photographer Eliza Hatch speaks about the prevailing issue not through words, but with portraits shot in analogue.

Her series “Cheer Up Luv” is a photojournalistic attempt to curate the experiences of women in terms of street harassment. As a woman herself who grew up in t he city, Hatch had her unfortunate share of catcalls and harassment. The idea, however, didn’t spark overnight. Like all other victims, she would usually brush it off, mention it to a friend, until she found out several women are experiencing these offenses.

“The purpose of the project is to tell these women’s stories and try to raise awareness about an issue that is completely overlooked. I wanted to create a platform for these women’s voices to finally be heard and to turn their situations where they once felt vulnerable into ones where they are empowered… The project exists because of my experiences, but It is not about me. My job is to be the curator, to tell the stories of all these women. It is their voices and their faces that I want to show.”

Hatch shoots the series in analogue, preferring the feel of the film medium:

“Every photograph is precious, because of the finite nature of shooting on film. I feel as though you really are capturing a particular moment in time, and I think that is very effective when you are trying to recreate these women’s experiences.”

Here’s a more interesting take on Hatch’s ambitious project as she answers our questions through photographs.

In your series “Cheer Up Luv”, you document the narratives of women who experienced sexual harassment. If there’s one portrait that can represent the whole ongoing collection, what portrait would it be?

REANNON

There are a lot of portraits all showing women their subtle strength. Whose expression/pose did you like the most?

ROSE

Among the portraits (not a self-portrait), how do you usually see yourself, “Eliza Hatch” as a woman?

CHESCA

Which among the portraits seem to be the most angered (or frustrated) due to male subjugation?

IDIL

The portraits are all accompanied by a short blurb, but a picture can already speak a thousand words. Which among the photos speak the loudest of her story?

JULIETTE

Do you think any of the portraits showed a ‘hint’ of fear? If there is, which portrait is it?

FENNA / ELIZABETH

Lastly, how about a portrait of a woman that you think will intimidate and fend off harassers away?

JESS

Written by Ciel Hernandez. Originally published at lomography.com.

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