In 2020 I photographed 14 different South Asian women in Los Angeles for my Senior Thesis as a graduating student at Loyola Marymount University, where I received my BA in Studio Arts.

During my time as an undergraduate, I had learned about photography as a tool to document the phenology of humans. I used this same lens with an artistic style to document the phenology of South Asian women. 

South Asian photography was dominated by colonialists creating ethnographic studies. These photos would capture the “exotic” culture and faces of South Asia. My thesis aims to reclaim the lens and to redefine what beauty means to us in terms of our physiognomy. 

A common facial feature many of us feel self conscious about are our noses. During a time where rhinoplasty and nose jobs are a trending topic, I hope to show the beauty and craft of our faces, and empower other South Asians to feel comfortable with their naturally ethnic noses. 

Thank you to Amber, Anjali C, Anjali U, Anum, Kiran, Meghna, Nikita, Ria, Sumaya, Tamara, Tanaya, Trisha, Varshini and Zenith.