ARE YOU OK:
Portraits and Stories of Trans Youth Across America
Volume 1 + 2

Book Release Date: Dec 2023

‘Are You OK?’ documents the faces and stories of trans/non-binary youth in the United States ready to stand up to political annihilation. Flanked by supportive families, a diverse group of outspoken and deeply loved youth present their strength and joy to the world in a revolt against the country’s attempt to erase them. Participating in the creation of this work is dangerous– we met in hiding behind buildings with extreme discretion in states that want us dead – yet the process of acknowledging each other offers a kind of healing.

In less than three years I photographed and interviewed nearly 150 trans youth in more than half the states in the country. The message loudly articulated is that the only way to have a living trans child is to support them, and that though our American government is legislating us out of existence - our community is strong, and ready to fight back.

‘Are You OK?’ has been presented in conjunction with Harvard University, NBC Boston, PFLAG, Free Mom Hugs, Loyola University, Wayne State University and many more, in addition to winning the esteemed 2023 Critical Mass Top 50 Award.

WHEN DOGS HEAL:
Powerful Stories of People Living with HIV + The Dogs That Saved Them

When Dogs Heal started when Dr Robert Garofalo (a national authority on LGBT and HIV health issues) and photographer Jesse Freidin (a national authority on dog photography) had coffee together in Los Angeles in 2014. Rob had been struggling with his own HIV diagnosis since 2010, and after realizing the incredible impact his dog Fred had on his overall wellbeing he knew he wasn’t the only person living with HIV who’d been lifted out of despair by the love of a dog. Rob and Jesse set out to capture an untold side of the HIV experience, highlighting love, joy, and survival. For the next six years, the two travelled across the United States to meet and photograph HIV-positive people and their dogs. When Dogs Heal gives a true voice to those living with HIV, puts power back into an experience that has been burdened with stigma for far too long, and shines a light on the incredible healing power of the dog/human bond.

Co-authors: Zach Stafford, Robert Garofalo, Christina Garofalo

Published by Lerner Press, 2021. Received starred reviews from Booklist and School Library Journal.

FINDING SHELTER:
Portraits of Love, Healing and Survival

The healing, beauty, and joy of the animal shelter system

Without volunteers, our nation’s animal shelter system simply would not exist. Volunteers speak for those that cannot speak, pick up the pieces for abandoned animals that have been let down by previous owners or unfortunate circumstances, and do whatever it takes to heal the deepest of wounds.In Finding Shelter, award-winning photographer Jesse Freidin shows the softer side of this story. He witnessed firsthand how many of the volunteers were able to mend their own emotional hurts with the love the shelter animals gave back to them, and how the power of these relationships transforms shelters into places where humans and animals can heal together. This realization propelled him to take a two-year journey across the country to document the tenderness and healing, beauty and joy he encountered within the shelter system. The result is a heartwarming inspiration for people to look differently at how to save shelter pets. In Finding Shelter, Freidin sparks a new discussion about animal rescue and what it feels like to truly love an animal.

Published by Lyons Press, 2017.

PHOTOGRAPHING THE DOG/HUMAN BOND:
Over a Decade of Dogs, Cameras and Unconditional Love

This is a large format (13in x 11in) hard cover coffee table book for dog and photography lovers alike. A selection over 150 of my favorite portraits from the past 13 years spanning many cities, many beautiful locations and many beloved canines. This large self-published book is printed on professional-grade heavy photo paper via Blurb- the only self-publishing platform I use because their quality is amazing.