Newborn Moments
Special Occasions
Family Portraits
Capture High School Memories
“Don’t Appropriate My Culture”
Don’t Appropriate My Culture” is a portrait project that I indulged in for my undergrad photography course. Cultural Appropriation is when a group of individuals use elements from another culture in an ignorant fashion. I decided to highlight the appropriation of my Polynesian culture.
In these portraits, my family appear as models for both traditional Samoan celebratory attires, and the plastic versions people craft for parties.
Polynesia is known for its beautiful islands, traditional dances, and tattoo designs. However, much of society uses these elements as unintentional mockery.
My hope with this project is to educate others on our culture and the beauty of its traditions that should not be altered for mundane pleasure.