Scroll To Top
Photography

PHOTOS: Alaska Is for Lovers

PHOTOS: Alaska Is for Lovers

Stephen-and-keegan-fritts_leadx400

Mitch Kitter and Shalem Mathew have tapped into the power of beautiful images with their series of couples portraits in Alaska. Help them hit the other 49 states.

xtyfr
Support The Advocate
LGBTQ+ stories are more important than ever. Join us in fighting for our future. Support our journalism.

Stephen-and-keegan-frittsx633_0Stephen and Keegan Fritts

Although Alaska is unlike anywhere else in the country, love there looks like it does just about any place.

But what photographers Mitch Kitter and Shalem Mathew really set out to prove with the launch of the "Love Is Love" project in the summer of 2012 is even simpler -- that love is love, no matter if you are straight or LGBT.

They photographed 28 same-sex couples from all over Alaska while filmmaker April Frame recorded video, conducted interviews, and compiled a video that is sure to leave you misty eyed. (Check out a preview of the film on the last page.) At their gallery opening October 5, more than 760 Alaskans came to show their support. Even Sen. Lisa Murkowski sent the artists a note about the project after announcing her support for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act.

Now the project's organizers want to launch "More Love to More People" with a photo book featuring LGBT couples and families all over the United States. This year they will take the project on the road, visiting Utah, Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Through their campaign on Kickstarter, if they reach their goals, the team will photograph couples in the Midwest in May, and the South in November.

Check out some of their stunning photos from Alaska on the following pages.

Casey-griffith-and-adam-womblex633_0Casey Griffith and Adam Womble

Doug-gasek-john-hirst-and-marcinx633_0

Doug Gasek, John Hirst, and Marcin

Jaime-spats-and-issa-bramanx633_0

Jaime Spats and Issa Braman

Jim-henry-and-gary-dearthx633_0

Jim Henry and Gary Dearth

Julie-schmidt-and-gayle-schuhx633_0

Julie Schmidt and Gayle Schuh

Malyn-and-ava-andersonx633_0

Malyn and Ava Anderson

Nicole-and-jen-theulenx633_0

Nicole and Jen Theulen

Sean-clark-and-erik-whitneyx633_0

Sean Clark and Erik Whitney

Steph_lela_figarellex633_0

Lela and Steph Figarelle

Tracy-storey-and-dawn-weltonx633_0

Tracy Storey and Dawn Welton

Zach-maurer-and-jeremy-lutzx633_0

Zach Maurer and Jeremy Lutz

VIDEO: Love Is Love Films 28 LGBT Alaskan Families

xtyfr
The Advocates with Sonia BaghdadyOut / Advocate Magazine - Jonathan Groff & Wayne Brady

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories

Christopher Harrity

Christopher Harrity is the Manager of Online Production for Here Media, parent company to The Advocate and Out. He enjoys assembling online features on artists and photographers, and you can often find him poring over the mouldering archives of the magazines.
Christopher Harrity is the Manager of Online Production for Here Media, parent company to The Advocate and Out. He enjoys assembling online features on artists and photographers, and you can often find him poring over the mouldering archives of the magazines.