Woman Crush Wednesday: Photographer Rachelle Lee Smith

Every hump day a Philly person shares their local picks for Woman Crush Wednesday. Today, photographer Rachelle Lee Smith, who, on October 1st, released her latest book Speaking OUT: Queer Youth in Focus, a photographic compilation featuring queer youth and their stories about being LGBT in a modern world. She’s officially launching the book at a reception at William Way on October 10th. More info on that here.

Rachelle Lee Smith

My crushes are ladies who were photographed for my book, women I shot as far back as 2002. I particularly love what each of these women wrote when they were younger gals, which is why I chose them. Without further ado, my local picks for #WCW:

Megan

This woman is now my wife ... I've been crushing on her since 2006. She's been an amazing support and partner. Every day is better with her in it.

Tiffany

I met this woman when she had a huge bleached afro. It shone from across the room the first first night we met. I was photographing the event, she was partying ... I used my camera as an excuse to talk to her. She does amazing work.

Edith

This woman is probably my oldest friend. We've known each other since middle school and have shared secret crushes on women ever since. She's the only lady in this week's pick that does not hail from South Philly ... but I love her still.

Jo

I have known Jo since high school. In fact, we were each other's first girlfriends (she was a year older ... HOT!) It was a three-month anniversary card from her that outed me to my parents. Thank goodness.

Meredith

Meredith was one of the first people to be photographed, and many years later we're neighbors. The message she contributed to the book has always been an inspiration.

Share your Woman Crush Wednesday!

Here are the rules: (1) Name five to 10 ladies you’re crushing on (2) You and all women involved must be from Philadelphia (3) Email your crushes to ferrazchristina@gmail.com.

Our Last Five Woman Crush Wednesdays:

• Kaylynn McLean
• Cece Rex
• Kristina Furia
• Crystal Fox
• Rudy Flesher