American Photography 42 Winners

Documenting the legendary lesbian community in Cherry Grove, Fire Island since 2020, these portraits celebrate firefighters, breast cancer survivors, community organizers, and others — women of strength, joy & resilience who have shaped LGBTQIA+ history and community for decades.

Women of The Grove: A Lesbian Portrait is my ongoing documentation of the strength, love, and resilience within our lesbian/queer community in Cherry Grove, Fire Island NY. My portraits capture authenticity and joy—women comfortable in their own skin, living their lives unapologetically. Among those featured are breast cancer survivors, a thread that holds particular meaning for me: I was diagnosed in 2023, and my wife in 2021. My vision is to continue expanding this body of work with the goal of creating a book and exhibition.