Photographer Rick Guidotti is redefining how we see beauty—one photo shoot at a time.
On Sunday, Guidotti visited University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital to take a series of special portraits featuring children with genetic conditions and their families. Guidotti is the founder of Positive Exposure, a nonprofit that uses photography, film and advocacy work to transform the public perceptions surrounding people who live with genetic, physical, intellectual and behavioral differences.
Guidotti left a prominent job in the fashion industry working with high-end clients in order to create Positive Exposure. “In fashion I was always frustrated because I was told who I had to photograph. I was always told who was beautiful,” he wrote on his website.
Photo subjects on Sunday included 5-year-old Cooper, who played an energetic game of “Hot Lava” with Guidotti. Together, the two jumped across couches and chairs—avoiding the “lava” on the floor while Guidotti snapped photo after photo of Cooper in action.
“We’re not there to photograph a condition or a disease or present a certain diagnosis, but to make sure we see that person,” Guidotti said. “We want to create an atmosphere where that person can glow, can shine, can be who they are and be silly. I’ve never photographed a disease or diagnosis, I’ve always photographed people, I’ve always photographed beauty."