For over 30 years it’s been a privilege for Smashbox Studios to help messages take form, working as a partner to production and the creative community. We recognize that we also have the ability to help raise voices in society at large, and we’re dedicating ourselves to that role.
Smashbox Studios and The Custom Family are proud to present WE HEAR YOU, a project that showcases portraits from BIPOC photographers of subjects they chose. The project explores ineligible voters and communities that were not advocated for in the November election.
With the help of the ever-essential piece of gear, the applebox, we aim to amplify their voices by raising them up with a veritable ‘soap box’ to stand on, providing a forum to feel seen & heard in 2021 and beyond.
WE HEAR YOU
THERE’S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE HERE. THAT’S THE POINT. THIS IS AMERICA.
(KEINY, 2020)
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BOBBY BANKS
ONCE THEY GET ENGAGED IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS, THEY CAN… ULTIMATELY REALIZE THEIR OWN POWER AS A COLLECTIVE.
(JORDAN, 2020)
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EVA WOOLRIDGE
“LEARN HOW TO RESPECT AND LOVE YOURSELF BEFORE YOU PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE.” (BREEZE, 2020)
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELODIE MCDANIEL
DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING POLITICIANS TELL YOU. DO YOUR RESEARCH, TALK TO PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT FROM YOU, AND HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS.
(CHARLIE, 2020)
"I WOULD LIKE IF THERE WERE ALL KINDS OF COLORS ON TV, IT'LL HELP BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL START TO OPEN THEIR EYES, HELP THEM SEE THAT THE WHOLE WORLD DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THE SAME."
(VELYN, 2020)
Photography by Andre L Perry
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA PETTWAY
I hope she doesn’t lose the spark, this fierceness that she has; I hope when she gets older, I have done a good enough job teaching her to believe in herself and see her worth, that even when she faces adversities, and the world keeps saying, “No”, she has the strength to forge on.
(EYJA, 2020)
"ADULTS COULD LEARN A LOT FROM HOW MY FRIENDS AND I PLAY VIDEO GAMES. WE TEAM UP BECAUSE IT’S MORE FUN WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER - AND YOU HAVE TO PLAY FAIR."
(BRANDON, 2020)
(Photography and words by Flora Hanitijo, Eyja’s mom)
Photography by Xavier Muniz
“THE POLITICAL ADS HERE ARE INSANE. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT BLEW MY MIND HOW AWFUL THEY TREAT EACH OTHER. I WISH PEOPLE WOULD TALK TO EACH OTHER MORE.”
(FLORA, 2020)
Photography by Jai Lennard
“TREATING EACH OTHER WITH RESPECT WOULD CHANGE A LOT. TREAT PEOPLE HOW YOU WANNA BE TREATED. YOU HAVE TO INFLUENCE THEM.”
(LUNA, 2020)
Trying to navigate conversations that represent her - that’s usually the avenue that I take.
(MORGAN, 2020)
Photography by Itaysha Jordan
Photography by Jaime Milner
“WE, FOR TOO LONG, HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE, AND THAT'S NOT A WAY TO LIVE. YOU GOTTA SPEAK YOUR TRUTH AND BE YOURSELF, EVEN IF IT MAKES OTHER PEOPLE UNCOMFORTABLE.”
(NAOMI, 2020)
“I JUST WANT TO SEE MORE YOUNGER PEOPLE TAKE LEADERSHIP BECAUSE THE FUTURE IS FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE.”
(TOMO, 2020)
Photography by Sarai Mari
Photography by Vanessa Charlot
INTERVIEWS BY ELIZABETH GRAY BAYNE & DEANNA ARCHER
EDITED BY TIFFANY IZZIE CHANG
PRODUCED BY DEANNA ARCHER
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: LARRY MCCRUDDEN
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS:
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Bobby Banks,
VANESSA CHARLOT
FLORA HANTIJO,
ITAYSHA JORDAN,
JAI LENNARD,
SARAI MARI,
MELODIE MCDANIEL,
JAIMIE MILNER,
XAVIER MUNIZ,
ANDRE L PERRY,
JESSICA PETTYWAY,
EVA WOOLRIDGE.