Zheng’s I Am Just Me explores identity, intimacy, and the difficulties marginalized individuals face. It is more than just photography when she portrays people who have experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Her portraits are windows into experiences that are often marked by intolerance and hardship. The series stems from Zheng’s own struggle as a bisexual woman growing up in traditional East Asian families.
In Zheng’s own words, her subjects have allowed her access to their most vulnerable selves, allowing her to tell their stories through her lens. The strength of I Am Just Me lies in Zheng’s ability to transform her personal bond with these stories into an universal language of empathy and connection.
It is perhaps Zheng’s skillful use of light and shadow that creates subtle shifts in mood that reflect the inner emotional states of each subject that makes each portrait stand out. As she traverses the journey from confusion and isolation to self-acceptance, her visual language speaks to the stories of others as well as to her own. As a photographer, she captures the delicate process of forming your identity in a world filled with strict cultural norms, especially in cultures where tradition trumps individuality.
Having grown up in Chengdu, China, where same-sex attraction was a taboo and actively discouraged, Zheng experienced an internal conflict that resonates throughout her work. There seems to be a tension between visibility and invisibility, between strength and fragility in her subjects. As a consequence, Zheng engages not only in a dialogue about sexual identity, but also about our universal desire to be seen, understood, and accepted.
The way Zheng captures her subjects’ vulnerability while maintaining a strong artistic vision demonstrates her photographic prowess. Her portraits feel like intimate exchanges between her and her subjects, and viewers get to see them up close. That’s why Zheng builds trust with her subjects, which is key to her portraits being authentic and genuine.
Zheng’s Portrait #7 image from the I Am Just Me series has garnered wide acclaim, earning her the LensCulture Critics’ Choice Award. The photograph is not only technically impressive but emotional as well. This particular image carries an almost mysterious feeling, heightened by the curling smoke surrounding the subject’s face, while much of the series exudes warmth and tenderness. The smoke introduces a sense of ambiguity and tension, setting it apart from the other portraits. This contrast prompts viewers to look deeper, to question the complexity of the subject’s inner world.
The work of Zheng goes beyond merely highlighting marginalized groups’ struggles. By creating a space for these individuals, she actively gives them visibility and dignity. She gives them the chance to tell their stories, making sure their strengths and resilience are acknowledged. By doing so, Zheng elevates their voices, making them feel like individuals with unique, valuable experiences, not just “others” in society.