Inspired by my late grandmother, Miriam, Be a Lady is a photographic exploration of the pervasive layers of generational femininity, and what the women in my life taught me about womanhood. I began this project documenting my grandmother in her last days, and combined those images with self-portraiture of myself wearing her clothing as a way to honor her after she passed. In this way, I aim to bring life back to her clothing, now devoid of the life of its previous wearer, and express her essence in a deeply intimate way: dressing up like her to mimic her in an effort to become the lady she would want me to be.

Mentor: Paul Moakley, Editor at Large, Special Projects, TIME

I found this mentor experience valuable in gaining the advice of a professional opinion, while also realizing and learning to trust my own decisions and instincts as the maker and main facilitator of my work.