Vanessa Bahmani - We are the 99%

“We are the 99%” is a Portrait series photographed at Zuccotti Park/Liberty Square NYC, the birthplace of the “Occupy Wall Street” Movement. It documents the voices of thousands of men, women, and children that have arrived to have their voices heard. During this series I have photographed, men and women in uniform, students, teachers, veterans, pilots, wall street employees, and even members of the 1% that seek change for our country. I have set out to create a "We are the 99%" Photo Booth at Zuccotti Park, where I photograph on a weekly basis. I set-up my white background, lights, and medium format camera on a tripod. There is a beautiful moment I achieve from each person when I photograph with my big film camera. People realize they have to sit still much longer than if I were shooting digital, but most importantly it allows people the extra time to feel the emotions of the sign they are holding up, and their roles as active participants in this historic moment. The end result is always a quiet an emotional portrait. This project is important because it is documenting a moment in history when we all came together to say we want change, we want a better future, we are non-violent and we are the 99%.