"Kiss judgement goodbye' - photographer'sValentine's Day message

Exhibition: Kiss Goodbye to Judgement | Date: February 2024

In a celebration of love not bound by societal norms, award-winning portrait photographer Jessie Casson has captured a range of couples in that most intimate of acts.

Photographer Jessie Casson describes the series as celebrating "authentic, romantic love between members of our communities who, historically, have not always been free to fully express this aspect of their lives".

Sunny and Poppy met on a dance floor three years ago when they were introduced by a friend who said the pair would love each other.

Sunny says the couple's relationship "reads the way it is".

"Often when you see relationships they aren't what they seem but ours is. Ours is as happy as fun loving as it looks. It's real."

Abby and Jess have also been together three years. They say they came into each other's lives "at the right time".

"We say to friends when it's meant to be you will have that feeling and it's hard to describe until you are in that."

"I think that our love and relationship has continued to grow and develop in ways that I didn't really think were possible," Abby says.

Maddie and Kate said their family had to get used to them being together in the early days of their relationship.

I think there should be more awareness of queer people because even our family had to get used to us being together if that makes sense. They weren't against it, just at first they were a bit like 'hmmmm' and then as years have gone by they love us for who we are," Kate said

The pair said they've been together for six-and-a-half years which has been tough because Maddie transitioned half way through the relationship.

It's been a journey, but I guess we want people to know that if your partner makes a change just stand by them," says Kate.

Ewan and Hans go together in the 80s, they met at an alternative gay nightclub in Kingscross, London.

They said that after 35 years, the relationship still works.

"We don't really have any secrets to impart how to make it work. It's down to luck and serendipity and circumstance. It was a one-night-stand and it's still working."

Leda and Camille say they have a lot in common but still view the world differently to eachother.

"I love and respect Leda even if we don't agree and sometimes we have arguments like normal people," says Camille.

Leda says she loves how Camille is with animals and "how passionate and French" she is.

Leon and Jack met in East Africa on Christmas Eve ten years ago.

They both admire how kind and caring the other is.

Leon says: "Jack is a very soulful and caring person, really kind and he takes care of me.

He's the better cook and my mum loves that about him."

Jack says: "Leon is really honest about everything and if we have any problem we just solve it immediately in a very calm way instead of arguing."

Jessie Casson. (Source: Supplied)

The couple portraits featured in the project are the work of last year's winner of the National Geographic Sony Portrait Photographer of the Year award, Jessie Casson.