"Untitled (Tribal)" by Luna Luis Ortiz - photography, 16 x 20

"Every picture has a story. Every photographer is a visual storyteller. The stories from the eyes of my subjects inspire me. Inspiration sparks imagination to the viewer."

Photographer Luna Luis Ortiz was born in New York City. He has studied photography at the School of Visual Arts and is the protégé of famed photographers David LaChapelle and Nan Goldin. His photography has been included in photography exhibitions at New York City galleries as well as the Boston Center of the Arts and the New Museum of Contemporary Art in NY. He was a featured artist living with HIV on MTV and VH1, TeleMundo, MSNBC, LOGO, and PBS documentaries. His work graced such publications as The New York Times, OUT, VIBE, Gay Times (London), Teen People, Avon Books, and A&U. In 2001, he joined the permanent collection at the Kresge Art Museum at Michigan State University. Luna taught photography at the Hetrick-Martin Institute, home of the Harvey Milk High School, from 2000-2007. In 2007, he received a Peabody Award for his work on a documentary short film titled “I’m Not a Boy” about the life of a transgender youth. He was also featured in the documentary film How Do I Look about the vogue house/ball community. Today, he continues his dedication to HIV prevention and youth work at GMHC. At GMHC, he works tirelessly on social marketing campaigns using his images as well as his video blog The Luna Show on YouTube.com that preserves the history and celebrates the New York City House and Ball Culture.