Amelia Sonsino is the photographer using FaceTime to document the intimacies of trans relationships
This is A HOT MINUTE WITH, a quick-fire interview series championing all the rising talent catapulting into fashion, art and music’s fickle stratosphere. From pinch-me moments to bad dates and even worse chat-up lines, think of it as an overindulgent conversation – like the ones you have in sticky club toilets at 4.A.M. Except these guests don’t regret the overshare…
Courtesy of @ameliasonsino
NAME AMELIA SONSINO
AGE 22
LOCATION London, England
STAR SIGN Libra
MOST USED PHRASE BING BANG BONG, SING SANG SONG...bing bang bong, UK HUN???
“In my world there is no definition for what beauty is or should look like,” explains Amelia Sonsino, a young photographer who graduated from Middlesex University during the height of the Covid pandemic last summer. Despite the uncertain circumstances, the creative’s determination to help build a platform to showcase the LGBTQIA+ community did not waver. Instead, she made it her mission to lead the way: “I’ve decided it’s my job to show everyone just how many versions of being beautiful or sexy there is.”
A self-declared people-watcher, Sonsino’s photography is inspired by her fascination with human beings, with much of her work capturing the intimacies of peoples’ lives. Portraying real-life relationships has always been a focus and found her a fan in author JAMIE WINDUST. Describing it as her career highlight, Jamie’s admiration for Sonsino’s portraiture led to a collaboration between the pair: an intimate project for Gay Times showcasing trans love during lockdown. “It’s important to show that trans people can have their happily ever after, just like everybody else,” she adds.
The photographer is currently working on her ongoing project The Bedroom Series, which she began over lockdown and for which she has already collected a year’s worth of content. Though she had never considered using FaceTime to shoot previously, she quickly realised that, with just a tripod, camera and laptop, she could still create meaningful work with her subjects…just from opposite sides of a screen.
In fact, Sonsino acknowledges that the pandemic has pushed her in ways she otherwise would not have been pushed. “Covid has definitely been a bummer, but if it didn’t happen, my work would not be where it is right now,” she explains. “It caused a ripple in the creative industry and has pushed people to think outside the box.” This ability to remain creative through adversity is something that will undoubtedly define the young photographer’s work throughout her career.
Jessica Carroll: What is one big discovery you made about yourself while studying?
Amelia Sonsino: The biggest discovery I found whilst studying is that I can achieve whatever I put my mind to. I wasn't very confident to begin with. It was hard to picture where I would fit inside the industry, but I've come to terms with the fact that it's fabulous to stand out!
JC: Which app do you spend too much time on?
AS: Depop because who doesn't love a bargain?
JC: If you could only wear one designer for the rest of your life, who would it be?
AS: That is a very hard question! If I HAD to choose it would probably be VIVIENNE WESTWOOD or MISBHV. However, I am consciously trying to buy more sustainably - hence why I'm addicted to Depop!
JC: Which famous person would you like to photograph?
AS: BROOKE CANDY!
JC: What has been your biggest pinch me moment?
AS: That in the space of one month I've had three interviews about me as a photographer. The first was in print, the second is due out soon and the third with you! It's been really rewarding and humbling.
JC: What is your go-to hangover food?
AS: I always feel SO unhealthy when I'm hungover, so I shove strawberries and fruit down my throat. The question is whether it will stay down!
JC: Which five people, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party?
AS: Brooke Candy, JOAN JETT, SARAH PAULSON, GILLIAN ANDERSON, BAD BUNNY.
JC: What do you listen to when working?
AS: If I'm doing work on my laptop, I usually go for chilled vibes. This might be a playlist including DANIEL CAESAR, SABRINA CLAUDIO, SUMMER WALKER, SØLV and more. At a photoshoot, I usually bring a speaker and throw it back to the ‘90s and early ‘00s to get everyone on a feel-good nostalgic vibe.
JC: What is the first thing you’ll do once lockdown is over?
AS: SCREAM!
