| Jesse Evan Freidin | |
| Birth Date: | May 27, 1981 |
| Birth Place: | Boston, MA, United States |
| Field: | Photography |
| Works: | 'The Doggie Gaga Project' |
Jesse Evan Freidin (born 1981) is a fine art photographer. He is best known for creating a series of photos of dogs dressed in costumes like those worn by Lady Gaga for his series 'The Doggie Gaga Project' 2010[1] His recognizable black and white fine art dog photography[2] gained him major recognition, and was exhibited across the country. [3] In 2017 his first book of dog photography was published by Lyons Press,[4] called 'Finding Shelter: Portraits of Love, Healing and Survival.' This book was a #1 Best Selling New Title on Amazon when first published. His second book was published by Lerner Books, called 'When Dogs Heal: Powerful Stories of People Living with HIV and the Dogs That Saved Them.' It received a star from the School Library Journal and Booklist.[5] His photography is part of over 150 private collections and has been exhibited in galleries nationally,[6] along with being featured in The New York Times, Inside Edition, Live! With Regis and Kelly, NPR, People Magazine, The Huffington Post and many more.[7]
After nearly 15 years of dog photography, Freidin shifted his focus. As a queer-identified photographer, he decided to focus his attention on elevating the experience of the trans/non-binary community through portraiture and interviews. His current series entitled “Are You OK?”[8] addresses the dangers of the current wave of anti-trans legislation sweeping the country in a passionate attempt to erase stigma and elevate the voices of those most affected. 'Are You OK?' has won awards from The Los Angeles Center of Photography[9] and had been featured on NPR, Insider Magazine, Thrillist and more.[10] Freidin is known for his advocacy work for the LGBTQ+ community and trans rights.
For his 'Doggie Gaga Project', in early 2010, Freidin dressed canine models in five of Lady Gaga's most celebrated outfits, and photographed them using two packs of Polaroid film from the last remaining supply.[11]