Info

I Like Your Hair

A short-film & photo series sharing what it feels like to exist as a bald woman in public spaces.
Featured on NPR’s Picture Show

As a woman living with alopecia, I was extremely aware of the stares and comments I got when I was out in public without a wig on (which was most of the time). People often assumed I was sick, and would ask invasive questions about my health. Other times, my friends alerted me to people making faces behind my back. Even the well-intentioned comments, such as “I like your hair!” made me very aware that I stood out.

These experiences inspired me to collaborate with friends and fellow creatives Trisha Pickelhaupt and Paris Benson to create awareness for alopecia, as well as physical differences in general. The project was created in the hopes that the next time someone runs into a stranger with a physical difference, they know what they should– or mostly shouldn’t say.

Trisha, Paris and I worked together to create a short-documentary and photo series that combined the personal experiences of four women with alopecia who live in and around the New York City area. As creative director & producer, I wrote interview questions based on both my personal experience and frequently shared sentiments in alopecia support groups I had been in. I shared a call for participants in the alopecia community, and after reviewing submissions we selected four women to join us on set. I coordinated separate shoot days for each participant so we could provide dedicated time for
each individual.

As the photographer and stylist, Paris took the lead on sourcing outfits for each participant beforehand and did their makeup day-of. As the director and filmmaker, Trisha filmed the interviews as we both asked questions to participants, followed by Paris taking their studio-portraits. Afterwards, we wandered the streets of our neighborhood in Brooklyn to get photos and b-roll for the film. Trisha was also the editor of the film, and she worked with music producer Daniel Robinson to create its original music.

Once we had the final photos selected and short-film completed, we began sending the project to festivals and media outlets. “I Like Your Hair” was published by NPR’s Picture Show in September 2022, right as alopecia awareness month was coming to a close. It was very well-received in the alopecia community– people felt seen and heard, and were thrilled to see themselves being represented and awareness being raised.

CREATIVE DIRECTION / PRODUCED BY: Natalie MarinidesDIRECTED / FILMED / EDITED BY: Trisha Pickelhaupt
PHOTOGRAPHED / STYLED BY: Paris Benson
MUSIC BY: Daniel Robinson

FEATURING: Jennifer Gadosky, Jenny Jobson, Faith Williams, Alison Mann