Shades / Sombras, 2016

Jerusalem Meza

Jerusalem Meza, age 17

East Los Angeles

Las Fotos Project in Lincoln Heights

“Shades”

This image is made up of portraits of myself. I chose to include these three pictures because they show three of the many shades of me. First there is my loud and uncontrollable shade, which is basically how I am all the time, because I am as carefree as they come. Then, there is my quiet and collected shade, which is how I am at church because if there is a place where you shouldn't be carefree, it's church. Lastly, there is my confident shade. which took a long time to become as confident as I am today. It's hard to embrace yourself when you see all of these beautiful model-like women on social media, but I’ve come to the understanding that I am never going to be them, so I should just be myself. Now I am totally confident in who I am.

I am currently a senior at Humanitas Academy of Art and Tech and I am in the midst of applying to universities. The process of applying to universities is very stressful, but I am a person that loves a challenge. I am a very outgoing and I am not afraid of being myself. I am 17 years old and at this age I am making plans for the future. Even if I don't have a clue of what's coming, I know that whatever happens I will be prepared, because of the young woman that I am today.

I have been a part of Las Fotos Project for two semesters now and both experiences have been awesome. When you are a part of Las Fotos Project you get to meet so many other girls that have the same interests as you. When you feel like you're not good at what you do, they are there to encourage you to meet your full potential. I always recommend that girls who are interested in photography join Las Fotos Project because there are many programs for many different interests. Las Fotos Project has helped shape me into the woman that I am today.