“My work speaks about freedom, love, bravery and realness.”

she/her/hers
@ardenqueardan

Ana Prado, better known as Arden, is a Galician portraiture and fashion photographer based in Madrid. Her work focuses on the queer underground community, its realities and the ideas created around it.

For this years’ Pride, Ana explores the joys and frustrations of dating for those within the LGBTQIA+ community. A master of her craft, here Ana has utilised her unique artistic perspective to effortlessly capture the raw and beautiful essence of her subjects; showcasing them in a way that is unapologetic and real. 

We caught up with Ana on the importance of freedom and authenticity in love. This is her letter to you. 

Please can you introduce yourself, and describe who you are and what you do. 
I’m Arden, a portrait photographer based in Madrid. I’m 30 years old, I’m from Galicia and my photography work focusses on the underground, queer community. 

Your work speaks about freedom, love, bravery and realness. Why are these themes important to you? 
Because these things are what make us who we are and bring us to life. There's nothing braver than daring to get to know yourself and living truthfully as who you are. And there's nothing more powerful or that moves us more than love, of any kind.

“There’s nothing braver than daring to get to know yourself and living truthfully as who you are.”

Why does photography attract you as a medium? 
Photography attracts me for many reasons. But as a medium, I like the power it has to endure over time, to show realities or moments that could not otherwise be shown, and because of everything it provokes in the person viewing the image.

”Photography attracts me for many reasons. As a medium, I like the power it has, to endure over time, to show realities or moments that could not otherwise be shown.”

How integral is your art to self-expression? 
Photography is a need for me. To give my vision of the world, to show the amazing realities that surround me, to reflect on concepts and ideas and to get closer to moments and sensations that I wouldn't have dared approach without my camera. 

How would you describe your own relationship or journey with gender and sexuality? 
As a discovery and a continuous journey on which I don’t want to set a limit or dates, goals or objectives. It’s beyond just discovering myself and discovering other people—and a way of understanding life and love.

How has your experience dating, both online and offline, been? 
Every date has been different but, in general, I think it's another way of getting to know people and a particular place for them, which you wouldn't get to otherwise. Online dating has helped me get to know people when I’ve moved to another city or been travelling. I love it when a lasting friendship develops from an online date.

Hi, I am Zannie. I am an actor who primarily enjoys the human experience, with all its peculiarities. I guess that’s why I love to roleplay different characters and interact with different beings. I’ve realised we tend to judge people based on what we see, instead of what they make us feel. Yet the exchange of energy based on how we feel is powerful and full of beautiful things. 

During Pride month, and all year round, make sure you support our community especially by acting with love. Support LGBTQIA+ companies and organizations and listen! Listen to our stories and get to understand our experience. Tips for those who are part of the community: get tested, practice safe sex, communicate and consent! Also, it’s important to talk and not sexualize from the very beginning. We need to understand what makes each other feel comfortable. 

Love for me knows no limits and can be expressed in many different ways. Open relationships work for me as they allow me to visit different people and to explore my inner world. Each person awakens different things inside of us and it’s a beautiful journey. 

Love yourself entirely and you will attract the love you deserve. 

Zanzi :)

Why did you choose to get involved with our ‘A Letter From…’ project? 
I chose to get involved as I see that Badoo is committed to the cause and that the project shows real people and real stories, which is similar to my work, as well as giving me creative freedom and trust in what I do.

How did you cast your subjects, and what was important to you in the process? 
Most people I shoot are people I’ve discovered in my life. I focus on my community, the queer community. And I see the magic and the power in all the people I shoot. I see their strength, their energy and I feel a strong sense of responsibility when I shoot them.

”The more types of art and expression a project explores, the richer and more powerful it becomes.”

Alongside photography, you incorporated letters and other mixed media. How do you think this adds to the story? 
The more types of art and expression a project explores, the richer and more powerful it becomes. And, in terms of creativity, the more points of view and discussions there are, the better the quality and consistency of the work.

What challenges do you think LGBTQIA+ people face, specifically when dating and on apps? 
I don't think it’s a particular challenge although, yes, you can meet people who don't belong to the community and who aren't appropriate or respectful of all the realities we face.

On the other side of the coin, how can dating apps be beneficial to the LGBTQIA+ community? 
I think that they are one more tool for raising awareness about the community, it’s extent and it’s diversity. They also help us to get to know more people.

You’ve done several projects now spotlighting queer and non-binary experience. What keeps you returning to it, and what words or messages have stuck with you throughout?
What keeps me working within the community is the feeling of belonging, wanting to continue highlighting all the realities that exist, improving my work, continuing to build up good experiences. Also, the sense that power is unlimited on an artistic level. There are many messages, from each person I know or photograph, from love to friendship, to moments to remember. And, if you get close to a person from a photographic point of view, it allows you to get to know them in a unique way. The fact that someone is in front of your camera creates a special bond and breaks down multiple barriers in one go. 

What does Pride mean to you? 
For me, Pride is a day of joy and celebration, to share with our people and remember everyone who has made it possible for us to be celebrating in the streets. But also remembering that the struggle goes on, that there are still many rights to fight for and win, and that there are many people around the world in situations of oppression, stigma and inequality. 

Last year, Pride was cancelled in Spain. Do you have any tips for celebrating and supporting the community from the comfort of our own homes? 
From social networks, a WhatsApp message or the flags in our windows, any way of raising awareness is a good way to celebrate it, as well as getting together as much as possible.

As it seems some events may return to the streets in Spain this year, do you have any recommendations on how to celebrate safely? 
Generally, be responsible as you would at any other event but, at the same time, you have to come out with the same strength and enthusiasm as ever.

How do you think the pandemic has impacted the personal lives of the LGBTQIA+ community?
I think that it’s affected us like it has many others, but there’s a greater impact on those already suffering from discrimination, like transgender people whose employment rate is very low. Also it’s hugely affected the large part of the community dedicated to art and performance.

How do you think the lack of visibility in mainstream media impacts the young generation of LGBTQIA+ people? 
I think it will have an impact in terms of people not feeling represented and thus not being able to express themselves. But I also think that thanks to social networks and the strength and bravery of new generations, all of these people are finding places to get together, and to meet and express themselves beyond the mainstream.

Hi, We’re Elo and Luan. We’re happy to write this letter together today, as we consider ourselves partners in this moment of our lives, as we live within our own paradigms. 

Like many other people from our generation, we want to learn something different and have a freer way of attachment. In regards to individuality and privacy, we embrace the complexity of identities, we try to understand the evolution that each of us go through and we want to be part of that transformation. 

We consider ourselves crossover artists and we enjoy creating through cinema and design. Images, both static and in movement, allow each of us to tell a story and we love to be able to share and help each other in creative processes. 

We haven’t tried dating apps so far, but we would like to! Not as a couple, but individually. These could be future experiences we could share with each other as good friends :)

Hugs!

”For me, Pride is a day of joy and celebration, to share with our people and remember everyone who has made it possible for us to be celebrating in the streets.”

Do you think representation is improving for the LGBTQIA+ community, and what work still needs to be done? 
The representation of the community from the mainstream media is improving, particularly over the last few years. This is due to the strength of the community, and it’s not something that has happened on its own without a fight. And because the community and its diversities exist and are part of society (like any other part) it needs to be represented. Unfortunately, what is taught is still very little and very prescriptive. 

Thank you so much Ana. As this is your very own ‘A Letter From...,’ do you have any parting words you’d like to leave us with? 
I’m very happy to have been involved with members of my community in such a real, beautiful project. Let’s hope more brands continue to strive to highlight and include all the realities. Love one another.

1 - Hi, I am Chichi and I am a non-binary queer person. My preferred pronouns are they/them/theirs. I am a makeup artist and currently my life revolves around make up and drag. I wear fantasy clothing all year round. 

I’ve had lots of experiences with online dating and, in general, I believe that apps are great. 

In this world, the most useful way to support the community is to let people do whatever they feel comfortable with, without prejudice. If you see someone acting in the wrong way, don’t ignore it. We should all put ourselves in the shoes of others. 

We are all different and unique and we should understand that each individual has its own way of living. I wish that 5 years ago, I could have been the person I am now, who has the courage to go out not caring about what others will think. 

In a relationship, the most important thing is to show the real you. To date honestly, to not hide, just be yourself. 

This pandemic has made me think that it’s really important to have your own life and not relying on just finding another person. However, it’s wonderful to have great friends. 

I hope that in the future there will be no more prejudice and, especially, any derogatory behaviour towards our community. 

It’s all about living and feeling life — and enjoying it!

*

2 - As a kid, I could never understand the need for segregation. That forced binary that made me feel ashamed when walking into the girls clothes section, when I painted my nails to go to high school or when I started understanding that heteronormative dynamics were not my reality, that I was different, different in a special way. 

My name is Joss Jaycoff, I am a non-binary trans activist and artist. A 21st century witch for some and a rebel punk for others. If by witch they mean a person who is ahead of their time, with progressive visions, an intelligent being able to question social impositions, then I’ll happily take the compliment. 

From a young age, we learn to separate people into groups, categories, identities, ethnicities, skills. My work is about reminding others of the power of unity. From the moment we are born, we sign a contract with the universe that gives us the human experience as equal beings. 

Our experience goes back to ancient times; trans, queer and non-binary people have always existed. We were and still are part of the change. 

LGBTQIA+ people are part of something very beautiful; we call it community, chosen family, free love… 

Don’t forget that in order to be able to love, one first needs to complete the journey of self-love and celebrate each corner of your being, because it is beautiful work. It will only be then that you will start attracting other beings of light, who shine like you. 

Live, rebel, love… Life is short!