THE POWER OF SELF-PORTRAITURE

Exhibition at Las Fotos Project in Los Angeles
October 11 – December 6, 2025
2210 E Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033

The Lucie Foundation is proud to be in partnership with Las Fotos Project to present The Power of Self-Portraiture. This inaugural exhibition is a youth-focused open call for teenage girls and gender-expansive youth. Following this group exhibition at Las Fotos Project in Los Angeles, the exhibition will then travel to the House of Lucie galleries worldwide including Athens, Budapest, Ostuni, and Samui.

House of Lucie Samui 11/8/25 – 12/21/25
House of Lucie Athens 11/27/25 – 12/27/25
House of Lucie Budapest 1/29/26 – 2/26/26
House of Lucie Ostuni 6/18/26 – 6/21/26

The Lucie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable foundation whose mission is to honor master photographers, discover and cultivate emerging talent and promote the appreciation of photography worldwide.

Las Fotos Project’s mission is to elevate the voices of young women and gender-expansive individuals from communities of color through photography and mentorship, empowering them to channel their creativity for the benefit of themselves, their community, and future careers.

The Lucie Foundation would like to thank all those who helped make this exhibition possible including Las Fotos Projects for being the first partner on this new activation, Epilogue Inc (@epilogueinc) for printing these artworks, and our exhibition jurors—Arlene Mejorado, Danielle Del Rosario, and Laura Roumanos.

Youth Open Call Exhibition Opening, Los Angeles

Photo Credit: Jade Sanchez / Las Fotos Project

Youth Open Call Exhibition Opening, Koh Samui

Agnia Bekish
Self-esteem

We all criticize ourselves from time to time, but if you often think badly about yourself or judge yourself negatively, you may have low self-esteem. To avoid this, make an effort to be kind to yourself and don’t think negatively about yourself.

Aimee Briote-Johnson
Accepting Imperfections

Many people view imperfections in themselves everyday through the view of a mirror. Perfection in appearance is a subjective concept, an idea that does not apply universally in the same way. To me, leaving the house without makeup makes me feel insecure. I am constantly thinking about the darkness under my eyes or the acne on my cheeks. Logically, I know there is nothing wrong or imperfect about my face, with or without makeup this is who I am, and that is perfect.

Alayah Williams
Bloom of Serenity

The meaning of Bloom of Serenity is peace and tranquility. I wanted to let women know that you can find peace, no matter what situation, despite the trials and tribulations that go on in your life.

Alé Rivas
Why Does One Create

“I create art for myself”— it’s a statement I don’t like. Being creative is not a selfish act, it is a selfless one. I view my artist self as someone that I am still getting to know. I find comfort in not knowing entirely who I will become or what I am.

Allisson Hernandez-Lozano
Bells Ringing

I initially didn’t intend for this photoshoot to have much meaning, but standing in front of this church building left me in awe. In awe of the architecture and in awe of the faith that exists all around us. Faith is not only found in religious figures but within ourselves and the universe. To be a woman is to have faith in ourselves.

Amber Santos
Variations

With mixed media, my identity can be layered with tangible forms of self-expression which truly feels like a reflection of my complex identities. As I continue taking my portraits, I have learned to love myself. I am no longer afraid of how others perceive me; the sense of intimidation and insecurity I once felt seems to be washed away with the art of layering mediums in my self-portraits. I want people to observe me, see emotion, change, and growth through the use of various mediums. Every stain and stroke is intentional. I am not a still image; I am constantly changing.

Amna Marzooque U V
Find You

This self-portrait is a reflection of how I see myself beyond the surface — not just in how I appear, but in how I exist. It captures fragments of my identity, my emotions, and the quiet layers that often go unnoticed. By merging multiple frames — moments of clarity, blur, stillness, and motion — I attempt to visually express the internal dialogue. The editing is intentional, not to distort reality, but to deepen it — blending emotion, memory, and identity into a single frame. It’s a reflection of how we are never just one thing, but a shifting composition of thoughts, states, and selves.

Andrea Curiel
Alma Dividida

Alma Dividida captures the feeling of being split between moments, emotions, and versions of myself. The blur reflects the continual motion of identity, never fixed and always shifting. It speaks to the search for clarity when everything can feel doubled, mangled, or concealed. It’s a moment caught in transition: fragile, but true. Alma Dividida speaks of vulnerability, of being human, fragmented, emotional, and always changing. Both a portrait and acknowledgment, I am not just one self, but many, layered and moving all at once.

Ariana Soria
Sirenita Mía

As adulthood approaches, I have felt a sense of a higher being growing within me, named “ Sirena.” Little me dreamt of becoming her, a strong independent woman, and now, I cannot wait to meet her. Recently, she has let herself be seen through my art, within my paintings, drawings and photography. My heart has felt stuck in the past, but she pulls me in and excites me for what’s to come. This project is dedicated to her, and eventually, to me.

Ashley Romero
Who I Am

Every month, I trim my bangs in search of a soft reset. Change has been a true constant in my life. When I feel overwhelmed or blue, I look for what I can control, which is myself. When I look good, I feel good. I look for my mother’s face in my features, for I am a reflection of those who have come before me.

(The photograph was shot on a Canon AE-1, and the film stock is Ilford 400. Photo printed and scanned by me.)

Azareyah Hurt
there’s more behind

The point of my picture with selflove is because selflove isn’t a big thing in my generation. A lot of people confuse selflove with love for other people. As someone who has loved someone else before themselves, I still haven’t experienced selflove, so i’m aware of the idea of selflove, but the actual feeling of it is unfamiliar to me.

Bella Gomez
Mi recuerdo

I was motivated to create this work because I am diving more into my identity and culture. I wanted to give readers a piece of what’s left of the Echo Park I know and grew up in, reminding them of the vibrant cultures that still remain. I feel a responsibility to share and uplift my community, especially because of the ongoing gentrification. These streets have a history of local Latino businesses and culture that should not be forgotten or pushed out.

Dalya Prezant
IN MY HEAD!

This is my self portrait that explores the inner turmoil I feel toward my own identity and ability to express myself. Using purely in-camera effects, the layered, intense expressions and the blurred emotions reflect my own struggle to balance fear, vulnerability, and inner conflict. The distortion and movement of my body and face capture how the overwhelming emotions obscure my self perception and ability to sincerely present myself, while still revealing the process of confronting, understanding, and changing myself as I grow.

Emi Rodriguez
Bluey Yellows

Every day, we have thousands of thoughts in our conscious hours that eventually keep us up at night. The blue light in the first photo represents the sadness, anxiety, and helplessness that consume most of my nights. Meanwhile, the contrast of the warm glow of the yellow hues represents the same way my appearance is a contrast of my mind and my reality. My appearance is happy, smiley, and warm. Appearances do not always match reality.

Esra Nunez
Los Angeles, They/Them

Los Angeles comforts me and taunts me at the same time. Sometimes people describe L.A. as a woman, but I know better. They have both masculine and feminine traits. . . none at the same time. They are non-binary. I see an honest reflection of both beauty and decay. I have always felt a freedom inside their limits, walking their streets, and driving through their tunnels. They have taught me that I can be me, ever changing. For my city, I am a reflection of you.

Eztli De Jesus
Tonantzin: Rooted in Earth, Rooted in Me

I selected images that reflect my identity and the power inherent in my name. My name, Eztli Tonantzin, comes from Nahuatl, an Indigenous language of Mexico. Growing up I wished to change my name, longing to fit into mainstream culture. Together: Eztli Tonantzin translates to “blood of the sacred Mother Earth.” Learning to embrace this meaning has given me a sense of pride and grounding that has opened my heart. My name carries the responsibility to honor my ancestors, to represent a community too often forgotten, and to remind myself that resilience, life, and love are written into who I am.

Frankie Kane
Seeing Double

The portrait displays me and my younger brother in our entryway mirror.

(A black-and-white photo shot using Kentmere 400 35mm film.)

Indigo Larmour
Girlhood

Through my self-portrait, I wanted to encapsulate the feelings of girlhood. Coming of age brings uncertainties in identity and self-perception, especially with increased awareness of societal pressures and beauty standards. This transitional period is simultaneously magical and emotionally tumultuous. To document my vision, I combined a flash with a long exposure, to give the different stages of getting ready a dreamy, and almost ghost-like quality. I also gave the image a soft pink glow, which to me embodies girlhood, by taping a pink, translucent jewelry box over my flash.

Josefina Chavez
Nuestra juventud desaparece, y tu no vas a regresar

Being a self-taught artist, I have always been driven by a desire to express myself. My intention is to preserve and freeze moments in time. A piece always sparks out of a vulnerable state. I think about how our memory becomes an unreliable source, as the act of remembering becomes unstable. Every time I take a self-portrait it will be perceived in many ways by others, but to me it will always be a captured moment where I felt something.

Leí Rosado
in bloom

As I become closer to being an “adult,” I still feel like a child everywhere I exist. I’m in a dreamy realm of who I was and who I am becoming, especially as I prepare to attend university and leave my hometown of Los Angeles. Within all of this chaos, as I try to figure myself out, there’s still beauty in it all because I’m able to reflect on myself through the years and reminisce. When I see the trees and houses and buildings in my memorable spaces, I contemplate how I existed within the city from which I’m drifting.

Marilyn Elizbeth Leal
Mi corazón bordado (My Embroidered Heart)

My name is Marilyn Elizabeth Leal, a 17-year-old photographer in the South Bronx, New York. Photography is an expression of my life, family, and community. The Bronx, in its warmth yet bitter environment, is not just where I come from; it’s who I am. The traditional shirt I wore, hand-embroidered by my aunt in the style of Guerrero, Mexico, comes from cultural richness. My roots, like my photography, blend both history and personal journey to honor my family’s and community’s sacrifice that lives in moments of struggle where there’s strength in small joys that make life meaningful.

Maryjane Joya
“Stuck,” A Visual Diary of Youth in Limbo

They called me mature for my age, not knowing it came from surviving, not growing. I started working at 15, not for money, but for escape. School, work, home — it became a cycle that numbed me. Outwardly composed, inwardly crumbling. My room, once a safe haven, now feels like a cage. I smile, I function, but inside I’m stuck — trapped between who I was and who I want to be. I am stuck . . . waiting for the better days.

Mía Rovira “Semmia”
Soy Semmia

Soy Semmia is the face of a series that highlights a specific subculture within Los Angeles, one that lives beneath mainstream fashion. It is a subculture I see every time I look in the mirror: existing within myself, my peers, and my siblings. It’s the initiative to preserve culturally-based knowledge by incorporating tradition into modern-day fashion. It is not present in all people, but when I see it, I recognize resilience. Soy Semmia is the face I look back to when I need to remember that I am not too much or too little. It is a pathway that brings visibility to what it means to be Urban Indigenous.

Miranda Aquino
Raíces en Crecimiento

Raíces en Crecimiento, [Growing Roots, in English], reflects my evolving relationship with my Oaxacan heritage. Growing up, I went from learning to move past engraved stereotypes to now celebrating my individuality. I gained an opportunity to acknowledge my traditions and hone in on my culture with grace. This piece emulates how I view Oaxaca in its beauty, with flowers symbolizing my growth in embracing my roots, and the model’s anonymity inviting viewers to find their reflection.

Monserrat Rodriguez
Mírame

A piece that evokes emotional expressions in various forms using clown makeup. It’s a reflection of my Mexican culture, as is the vase where the flower sprouts from. Using several organic patterns imitate the surrealism that originates from Mexican folklore. The self-portrait overall is a reflection of how I view myself, and how I can be many things that are not just one. I have come around to appreciate self-expression without having to be verbal. My culture has influenced me, as well, to be more bold and expressive with studying my subconsciousness in various mediums.

Reyhane Nozari
Fading Selves

Sometimes I catch myself reacting in many ways at once—as if different versions of me are arguing inside. One wants to hide, one wants attention. One wants to leave, one wants to stay. These self-portraits capture that inner conflict. Using a slow shutter speed, I layered movement and emotion into a single frame. Each ghost-like figure reflects a part of me—curious, scared, bold, ashamed. This project became a way to see and listen to those voices. Not to fix them, but to let them exist together, honestly.

Sabri Hamilton
who am i?

Girl laying in the grass with broken mirror pieces around, reflecting a more masculine part.

Sandra Luis
I’m 17 but in my mind I’ll always be 7

I chose to get out of my comfort zone for this piece. I used handwriting, quotes, and sewing in my photos. What inspired this project was the growth and change from childhood. A little girl was holding onto a childhood that didn’t really exist, but I accepted that my childhood doesn’t need to be a shadow lingering over me forever. The little girl within me will always deserve better and she will always be a part of me.

Sawyer Sariñana
The good part

To let them be vulgar And ABRASIVE And Dainty And Suspicious And Safe And Currrrrrious IS EVERYTHING

Seren Lina Duggan
Protection

Whilst crossing the Rub’ al Khali desert between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, a roadside refreshment pit stop was interrupted by a sandstorm. A kind local at the rest stop graciously lent me a shemagh to protect myself from the harsh weather conditions.

Skyann Penn
Where Light Breaks In

Self-love, to me, is seeing myself through shifting perspectives. What once felt like flaws have become essential parts of who I am. This photo’s layers and distortions mirror that process, showing that beauty lies not in perfection but in the coexistence of every version of myself. The colors and fragments reflect growth—messy, vibrant, and alive. Self-love isn’t one image; it’s embracing every reflection, every angle, as pieces of a whole.

Sydney Barber
Big Hair, Bigger Vibes

This photo I took of myself in the park. It really captures my beauty and bold self expression. I am confident, joyful, and unapologetically ME. But I want girls to know, showing and wearing your “crown” isn’t just about your hair. It’s the energy you share, and the inspiration you ignite with the rest of the world. One person at a time! Be Bold, Sydney!

Xitlali Ray
If I Could

If I Could is a self portrait depicting Xitlali Ray (me), a child who has been struggling with psoriatic arthritis since 3rd grade. When diagnosed, her parents sat her down and communicated that she wouldn’t be able to do “normal kid activities” due to her health and bones. In the image depicted, Xitlali is holding on to a rabbit who is staring back at her, symbolizing the sense of purity before diagnosis (the rabbit) and her, after, still struggling to fit in with people her age (the mask). She hopes to evoke a feeling of hope and recognition within people struggling with chronic illness.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LAS FOTOS PROJECT

Las Fotos Project’s mission is to elevate the voices of teenage girls & gender-expansive youth from communities of color through photography and mentoring, empowering them to channel their creativity for the benefit of themselves, their community, and future careers.

MEET THE JURY

FAQ

Who can apply?
Girls & gender-expansive artists worldwide aged 12-18 can apply with parent/guardian consent. All mediums of photography are acceptable. All submissions must be within the theme: The Power of Self-Portraiture. Those images submitted that do not fall within the theme will not be considered.

Is there a limit to the number of Open Call submissions per artist?
Yes, 3 single image entries can be made.

Is there a submission fee?
No! All submissions are completely free of charge.

What images should I submit?
Submit the best images you feel represent the theme The Power of Self-Portraiture within the category of your choosing.

Can I submit AI images?
At this time, we do not accept AI generated images as part of the competition.

How should I prepare my files?
Please prepare your files according to the specifications below:
JPG only (NO TIF, GIF, PNG, PDF files will be accepted.)

Can I send print materials, books or CD’s?
No, Lucie Foundation accepts online submissions only.

When will the prize winners and finalists be announced?
Winners and finalists will be announced by email in September 2025.

How will I know if I was selected?
If you were selected for the Open Call, you will be contacted directly through the email which you provided in the submission form. The finalists will also be announced via the Lucie Foundation newsletter, website, and social media. Unfortunately, due to the volume of submissions, we are not able to notify if you were not selected.