In a powerful new photo exhibition titled Twenty Portraits of Trans Joy, celebrated Montclair-based photographer Veronica L. Yankowski presents portraits of 20 transgender individuals from the local area. This intimate and timely showcase, held in partnership with the Pride Center of Montclair during Pride Month, aims to increase visibility and understanding of the transgender community at a time when their presence is increasingly marginalized.
Twenty Portraits of Trans Joy
June 18, 2025 | 6:00–9:00 PM
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Assembly Hall
73 South Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ
“There’s a misconception that all transgender people look a certain way,” Veronica L. Yankowski explains. “That just isn’t accurate. I wanted to use my talent to show the individuality, humanity, and dignity of people who are often misrepresented or unseen.”
Photographed in her Montclair studio, the subjects represent a wide range of ages, races, ethnicities, and gender expressions within the transgender umbrella. In addition to the portraits, each participant has shared a personal narrative or reflection, offering insight into their identity and lived experience beyond physical appearance.
Yankowski conceived the exhibit as a response to growing efforts to erase or marginalize trans voices. “My hope is that this work encourages empathy, understanding, and acceptance, “she says.
Marie Cottrell, Founder & Executive Director, Pride Center of Montclair says, “At a time when trans voices are being pushed to the margins, this exhibition is a radiant act of resistance. We’re honored to support Veronica’s vision and help bring these powerful portraits to the heart of Montclair. ‘Twenty Portraits of Trans Joy’ doesn’t just celebrate trans lives—it affirms them. And that kind of visibility is exactly what our community needs right now.”
The evening will also include entertainment, light refreshments, and a raffle with voluntary donations supporting the exhibition. Plans are underway to bring the exhibit to additional venues, including a potential showing at NYC Pride 2025.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Veronica L. Yankowski is an award-winning portrait artist with over three decades of experience. Based in New Jersey, she is known for her exceptional ability to connect with clients and create powerful, lasting images. Veronica’s career as an acclaimed photographer has evolved and grown over the years from photojournalist to portrait artist. Upon graduating from Rider University cum laude in 1996 with a degree in journalism, she spent the first decade of her career working mainly as a freelance photojournalist that garnered her over 30 awards for her work with some of the finest news outlets in the tristate area like The New York Times, The Star-Ledger and The Associated Press. She is no stranger to supporting social causes.
Veronica’s most cherished image ever taken is of Rosa Parks from the Million Man March on Washington, DC, in 1995. Her moving images captured on 9/11 and at Ground Zero shortly after the attack are registered with the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Veronica’s first book, Dialogue 3, was published in 2002 and features the images from 9/11 as well as other portraits and landscape work. A bold, but calculated, risk-taker, Veronica inspires other professionals by not being concerned about over-reaching. Instead, she allows the creative tensions in play to push her photography to the next level! With that, she opened her 1100 sq ft studio in the winter of 2020 during a global pandemic
In 2023 Veronica’s second book Magnificently Made was released, which is a compilation with 32 other women. She continues to travel the globe for work and pleasure, always with a keen eye for new ideas and to capture the beauty of the world.
ABOUT PRIDE CENTER OF MONTCLAIR
The Pride Center of Montclair envisions a thriving, inclusive community where all LGBTQIA2S+ individuals are empowered, celebrated, and have equitable access to opportunities. We aim to be the premier resource hub fostering a society where diversity in sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, ability, and age is embraced and valued. Learn more: www.pridecentermontclair.org
CONTACT
Vera Sheps Scholl at vera@montclairpridecenter.org or 917-407-6259.