"The project as a whole really tells an important story."
Some people are choosing to say really positive things.
Some people are sharing what's really hard.
'Transcending Self' brings visibility to the complex issues facing transgender and nonbinary youth. Nearly half of transgender youth will attempt suicide before their 20th birthday. Annie is committed to changing this statistic. Using photography as a narrative medium, the project challenges existing notions on identity, gender, and selfhood.
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Tritt met their first subjects through Gender Spectrum in Northern California, an organization supporting young trans and nonbinary folx. People. Since then, parents have connected them with other families from around the globe, while teens and young adults have started reaching out to them independently.
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In addition to photographing participants, Tritt also works with them to craft personal stories to go along with their photos.
Presenting viewers with a wide variety of stories will help counteract any preconceived notions about transgender people. They explain that changing people's minds about the transgender experience is a matter of exposure.
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In 2019, the project received a Women Photograph grant, Photolucida's Michael Reichmann Project grant, was accepted into Critical Mass top 50. In 2020, Tritt was awarded a Catchlight Fellowship.
"While transgender stories are often framed in a way that reduces us to our physicality— emphasizing difference—"Transcending Self" brings viewers into the heart of our experience, enabling connection to the underlying humanity of each participant. The portraits and interviews with youth ages 3 to 20 emphasizes each as a whole person, unique beyond their gender identity. Every day, stories of love and struggle—often overlooked—are serving as a source of hope."
"People are often so scared and judgmental [about] what they don't know. But, once they're exposed and open to it, it can change so many things," they say. "Visibility is what [changes] that."
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Annie Tritt
is a non-binary freelance photographer based between San Francisco, Seattle, and New York. They founded Transcending Self in 2014. The project consists of photographs of nonbinary and transgender and gender-expansive youth ages 3-20 worldwide and interviews with the youth and their families.
Formerly a public school teacher and stay-at-home parent, Annie began their career in photojournalism in 2006 and has worked worldwide since then.
Countless emails acknowledge this project's life saving impact:
Alex, September 2019
"Hello, I'm a transgender teen boy. Your work gives me so much hope, seeing people just like me in their full beauty. When I get in fights with my family over my gender identity, like tonight, I hurt myself to cope. Your project has made me feel at peace and calm enough that I don't feel like I need to do that tonight. Thank you. I hope you keep doing what you're doing. I'm saving your project website for nights like tonight." Lovingly, Alex
Becky, a photo editor
"I've been following your gender project and have been mesmerized. The photos are beautiful. The subjects are so sure of who they are -- a remarkable thing for anyone (I'm 42 and still have a hard time sometimes), but especially for a child -- so impressive. And the statements and interviews you run with the photos -- I find these especially moving. Since I became a parent, I find myself looking at things through that lens all the time. (Do all parents do this? Do you do this?) I'm so moved that they are all so proud of their children for embracing who they are meant to me. They are such role models for the rest of us.”
Lilly's dad
"Just wanted to let you know how much your visit meant to Lilly, Jules and I. Your compassion and love are inspiring. I looked, this morning, at my picture of you and Lil on the trampoline. We talked about not giving in to despair, that hope is one of our most profound allies. The hope lies in that image, of you with your arms around our daughter, embracing her and loving her for all that she is. These are the kinds of daily actions that will make the greatest difference in all our lives, and I believe they will emanate into the hearts of others. We are deeply grateful for your work and for our newfound friendship.”