Jackie Han’s ‘why’ behind her photography is visibility, her desire to bring the LGBTQ+ reality into focus, and to capture their stories.
“The ‘why’ behind what I do is visibility,” Han said. “Visibility in the form of the photography, translating into visibility of community … and just building a safer space for everyone.”
The San Diego-based artist serves as co-chair for Art of Pride and contributes her photography skills to organizations like San Diego Pride and San Diego Humane Society.
Han grew up in New York City and always brought her camera, snapping photos of close friends and memories, photos she still keeps in her camera roll to this day.
Her camera roll now consists of wedding shots, portraits and action shots of protests for non-profit organizations.
“I just kind of took a leap of faith and was just like, I want to go and pursue this professionally,” Han said. “My community has been so supportive and helpful.”
When it was announced she would be Champion of Pride, an award given to individuals who demonstrate leadership and service to San Diego Pride, it came as “quite a surprise” to her.
She felt honored to be a part of the many predecessors who have come before her and done so much for the LGBTQ+ community.
“I’m using this 15 minutes of fame to really broadcast and have a platform to talk about the things that I’m passionate about,” Han said.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, Han started volunteering for Art of Pride as a way to be involved in the community and use her photography to uplift other LGBTQ+ artists.
Especially with her portraits, she tells people to dress the way they want and be who they are.
“The work that I’ve done throughout my life has just been really just encouraging people to really be seen as their authentic selves and not have to hide who they are,” Han said.
Her photography has been featured at the North County LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Hyatt Downtown and the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art.
Han’s inspiration comes from watching her subjects be in the moment and let things unfold in front of her.
One of her most recent photographs, which was featured in “Where We Stand,” Medium Photo at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, was taken at the Rady’s Children’s Hospital protest for transgender youth health care.
The photo depicts two youths sitting on a bench in front of Rady’s Children’s Hospital with a megaphone and protest signs, talking to a statue of Ronald McDonald in the middle.
Han said this photo with Ronald McDonald, an icon for supporting children’s hospitals for the Ronald McDonald house, encapsulated the injustice families are currently feeling with Rady’s Children’s Hospital, which in January announced ending their gender-affirming care for children.
She said the medical services are “life-saving” and leave many San Diegan transgender youth without necessary support.
“It was really important for us to go and capture it,” Han said.
KishaLynn Elliot, executive director of San Diego Pride, said Han has been a longtime contributor to San Diego Pride and is heavily involved in community-driven leadership and creative expression.
“Her work has expanded opportunities for LGBTQIA artists to help ensure that their art remains an accessible platform for storytelling and visibility,” Elliott said.
Han said she is inspired by the photographers before her, capturing historical moments to push visibility during times like the AIDS epidemic and more, as the visuals of these events can be very impactful.
“That’s really important right now, “ Han said. “To be capturing all of these things and being out there and just being seen and having an opportunity to just talk about it when you do have the platform.”
