Featured image: Yas Lucia Mascarenhas
aAh! catches up with Manchester Met alumnus and sports photographer Yas Lucia Mascarenhas who challenges stereotypes and explores diversity in sport through her lens.
Can you tell us about yourself and how you got into photography?
I’m a 21-year-old photographer specialising in sports and events. I’ve always been into photography but I fell into the sports scene by chance when I started covering a friend’s matches at university. After that, I was asked to cover more and more and I just really fell in love with capturing people’s sporting achievements.
Could you tell us about your Breaking Barriers project?
Breaking Barriers explores the barriers ethnic minorities face within the equestrian community. It shines a light on these communities whilst also allowing individuals to share their stories, struggles and their place in sport through my photography. I’m also working with the British Horse Society to further my equestrian projects and I’m creating a book on communities which overcome barriers in their sport – for example para ice hockey and free community football sessions.
What was your goal with this series?
As a dual-heritage woman who has been in the sport since a young age, I had first-hand experience of how difficult it can be for individuals from minority backgrounds to get into horse-riding, but also to progress within the sport and feel they have a place in the equestrian community.My goal with this series was to give underrepresented individuals in the sport a moment in the spotlight. Additionally, I hoped to challenge the typical equestrian stereotypes and really capture the powerful community that they exist within. I hope to reach individuals from similar backgrounds, inspire them and acknowledge that they have a place in this sport.
What do you think the biggest barriers to inclusivity in equine sports today are?
One of the biggest barriers to inclusivity in the equestrian world today is simply a lack of representation. People can’t be what they don’t see, and with simple things like equestrian adverts so often featuring Caucasian women, people end up feeling out of place.
How have the people you photographed responded to the series? Have they shared any reflections with you?
The subjects I photographed really connected with my work and were so pleased that others are connecting with it too. They shared a sense of pride to be involved and are really excited about where it may lead. The very first shoot I did for this project was definitely the most meaningful for me. I got the chance to talk to parents and see what major issues are still lingering within the equestrian community. It really gave me the motivation to push forward with the BreakingBarriers project.
How do you hope your work contributes to a broader conversation about diversity and inclusion in sports?
I hope that my work sparks conversations not only within equestrianism but the whole sporting community in general. I want my work to give a sense of belonging and hope to those who feel underrepresented in their sport, or unable to even start a sport.
Follow @yasluciaphotos
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