Aking Pamilya (My Family), Liminal
Charissa Soriano is a Seattle-based Filipina documentary photographer, visual storyteller, and artist whose work is rooted in care and curiosity. Her approach begins in creating and nurturing a safe space, especially for those who have historically been marginalized or silenced. She uses open-ended questions to engage collaborators and clients in conversation. From there, she makes images that evoke truth and tenderness.
Her personal work delves into immigration, identity, and memory in order to understand and heal from her own experiences.
Work with her: charissasoriano@gmail.com
Learn more about her.
Liminal
My visual perspective as an immigrant in the U.S.
Something Good
A collaborative project where I invited participants to write five to ten affirmations (something good) for themselves right before I photographed them in front of trees. The purpose was to use affirmation writing as a practice for participants to reflect on how they see themselves or how they want to uplift themselves through self-compassion.
Trees were chosen as the background to symbolize growth within oneself.
I Am Both; I Am More
A long-term visual storytelling project that aims to bring nuance to the experiences of mixed Filipinos in Washington state. The upbringing of mixed Filipinos, like that of other multiracial people, is unique because their parents carry with them traditions, histories, and often languages from diverse communities. One guiding question I pose is, "How do they navigate this amalgamation of cultures while embracing their individual identity?"
Mixed Filipinos also enter spaces that don't always see or accept them as they are. Through this project, I seek to share their experiences in their own words to push for safer and more inclusive spaces.
Commissions
Clients: International Community Health Services, Cascade PBS, Asian Counseling and Referral Service, Business Impact NW, Associated Recreation Council, Family Law CASA of King County, City of Burien, among others
