Whether its the hysterical laughter of an inside joke with an old friend, or finding an unfounded level of trust in a new one, intimacy means different things to different people. Romantic and familial love is much chartered territory, but this autumn, as part of its ongoing Pride efforts, Calvin Klein is exploring how different kinds of love can inspire and incite creativity and confidence.
To celebrate the This is Love campaign, INDIE invited three photographers to capture candid moments of connection and calm with the friends and family—genetic and chosen—that mean most to them. Antoinette N’Sow lenses members of Berlin’s ballroom scene, professional provocateur Harry Freegard captures cowboys in London and Italy, and Spyros Rennt escapes to the sun of his native Greece.
Harry Freegard
Who did you choose to capture for this series?
Friends, new, old, and older.
What do you normally do together when you hang out? Do you have any rituals?
The ritual that bonds us all and my most mastered skill, GOSSIP. It’s so important to be around people who understand you, to not have your words fall on deaf ears is a priceless gift, a gift for which I find myself eternally grateful to have in such abundance thanks solely to these people.
Tell us about your first impression of someone in your series- How did you first meet? What initially drew you to them?
As teens! After running away to london at 18, fate forced us together, hard to say what the initial draw would have been at the time however I’m almost certain like a moth to a flame it would’ve started with the outfits, the perfect lure, and the sense of humour would’ve sealed the deal—that I know.
Where and when did you shoot these images?
All taken this magical summer, between Italy and London, the city I escaped to and its hidden pockets in which I seek refuge from the beast itself, London has sneaky slivers of almost countryside that feel like home, I find myself there more and more often, frequently dragging my friends there with me, with grapes piled high under low hanging sun.
Who are the people that most inspire you?
My friends, my mother, the musicians whose words I pick apart each night and reap life lessons from. I’m inspired by those who take what they do seriously but never take themselves seriously. Those who take risks, those who choose to speak and do.
How have your friends and family influenced you creatively?
They’re my most valuable resource, unfathomably helpful to have a pantheon of creatives as a sounding board, I would say its something money couldn’t buy, however money could and does buy their advice, just it would be mighty expensive to have them on call in the way that i’m so very lucky to have, i only hope that i return the favour with equal vigour!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received from someone in your series?
‘Why not?’ because exactly, WHY not? why not!!!!!!!! WHY NOT? Why wouldn’t I? Why wouldn’t you? What’s stopping you? Why not? Why bloody not, do the damn thing, WHYYYYYYY NOT. Simply put, why not. A phrase overused and devoid of meaning to some, a well trodden throw away, but imbued with unstoppable power, an inescapable question and a rallying battle cry, why not? I find it applies to most things rather nicely.
Antoinette N’Sow
Who did you choose to capture for this series?
I decided to capture my friends Sedami, Lovisa and Jade.
What do you normally do together when you hang out? Do you have any rituals?
We just like to meet, kiki and update each other on life. When I see the way we interact, it almost feels like watching my aunties as a child gossiping and catching up. I love this dynamic, it feels very familiar to me.
Tell us about your first impression of someone in your series- How did you first meet? what initially drew you to them?
Sedami and I met online during lockdown times because they were organising online safe spaces for trans and non-binary BIPoC people.
A few months later we met in person at a community picnic and immediately clicked. It felt like talking to a long time friend.
Where and when did you shoot these images?
I shot these during the afternoon in the park. This is our perfect go-to plan when the sun is out.
Who are the people that most inspire you? What aspects of their character do you most admire?
Definitely my chosen family. The community I have found in queer BIPoC-centred spaces like Ballroom for instance, inspire me the most. In the past few years I have had the privilege to form close bonds with the most caring people and find love through community. I really admire how many of my close ones will just do things out of genuine care.
How have your friends and family influenced you creatively?
I really like to explore and document themes such as love, belonging and tenderness. Such things are not necessarily a given for people of certain identities, but we have built and continue to build community based on reclaiming those basic needs. This will forever be inspiring and fuelling in everything I do, specially when it comes to my creative endeavours.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received from someone in your series?
To stay out of my head! Imposter syndrome is very much real and when I find myself falling into that loop, my friends remind me to stay present and help me realise the greatness in me.
Spyros Rennt
Who did you choose to capture for this series?
I captured a group of close friends, my sister included, with whom I vacationed and island-hopped in Greece last August.
What do you normally do together when you hang out? Do you have any rituals?
In the context of our last vacation together, there were a lot of slow moments under the sun during the day or dancing the night away on parties in these remote islands.
Tell us about your first impression of someone in your series- How did you first meet? what initially drew you to them?
Gia is one of my favourite friends despite knowing her for a relatively short time, I was drawn to her because of her openness and warmth and due to her being a fellow Pisces of course!
Where and when did you shoot these images?
I shot these on two islands in Greece, where I spent most of my August as well as my hometown Athens.
Who are the people that most inspire you? What aspects of their character do you most admire?
I admire and get inspired by my sister, who is hard working and driven but at the same time finds time to let go and have fun.
How have your friends and family influenced you creatively?
By letting me capture them at their soft and most vulnerable moments, they have been both and influence and support.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received from someone in your series?
It’s not a piece of advice but I have always appreciated my friend Antigone’s “take no prisoners, pay them no mind” attitude.
