Growing up as a bi-cultural child of diplomats, I lived in nine countries
and on four continents before coming to New York to attend university. 
Coming "home" to America, I had to constantly answer the question, "Where
are you from?"  This forced me to question my identity.  I got in the habit of just
saying that I was Moroccan, later realizing how insulting that must be to my
American father.  Now, I try to embrace both sides; it's complicated, but closer
to the truth.
          
            I began this project to explore how other bi-cultural people choose to
identify, how they are answering these questions.  I photograph them in their
environments, in the absence or abundance of cultural objects, exploring
whether they choose to live more as one culture or the other, or whether they
choose to embrace a third - a hybrid.  I began finding subjects through my
friends, and have opened a community of bi-cultural people eager to explore
their heritage as well.  I begin the photo session by looking around their space,
asking where they spend the most time, and discussing their experiences
growing up.  The discussions have led me to be more comfortable with sharing
my experiences and as we open our vulnerabilities to each other, a bond forms. 
I ask each subject to relax their face and look directly at the camera, so that we
can see their faces undisturbed by expression.

            The images are shot in square format; the shape is meant to reflect the
confines with which others identify us.  I have had the opportunity to work with
many different kinds of people - shy, relaxed, nervous, performative - in
cramped, crowded spaces, and the wide outdoors, with natural light and
artificial light, and with each session I feel that I am more sensitive to the light,
to the posture, to the person, to their story, to their cultural identity.