Inspired by the work of French surrealist and avant-garde artists Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore, professional photographer Barb Simkova will be leading this Trans Awareness Week self-portraiture workshop. Participants will learn about Cahun and Moore’s Jewish, lesbian life partnership in the French Resistance during the Second World War, and how to craft their own narrative through photography. Learn about the history and value of LGBTQ+ self-portraits, technical tools and hands on support to achieve a picture of your own, and a chance to engage with this piece of LGBTQ+ Jewish history. No advance experience required; please bring a cellphone with camera to participate in the hands-on portion of the workshop. FREE. Advance registration is required. Questions or accommodation requests deannad@mnjcc.org 416-924-6211 x6251. Co-presented by The Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre and The Toronto Holocaust Museum. Generously supported by the UJA Kultura Collective.  

In over a decade of work as a professional photographer, Barb Simkova's work has been featured in print publications such as ELLE Canada, Martha Stewart Weddings, Toronto Life, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Foodism as well as numerous online publications such as the Coveteur. Her client work has included capturing Barack Obama and has taken her around the world to Colombia, France, Spain, Greece, Mexico, Denmark and throughout the United States and even Canada's arctic. Barb is committed to creating and upholding a queer-friendly uplifting space for all humans, respecting all faiths and recognizing all identities. She uses photography as a tool to cultivate self-love, self-expression and self-worth endeavoring to make every person and place feel seen and valued through her lens.