For some of us, spending time with our relatives is an excruciating experience. And many of us are so close to our friends it's easy to forget we're not actually related. Others still face prejudice for simply being who (or with whom) they love.
In his recent photo series — Des Famille(s) — French photographer Vincent Gouriou captures many of the infinite combinations of people and experiences that might make up our families. The results are incredibly moving.
"The series includes homosexual parents, transgender [people], single parents, and other families that don’t fit into our idea of what 'normal' is," explains Gouriou in an email to R29. So far, he's photographed nine groups of people he met in his life and through Facebook.
Although he's explored these themes of identity before, the inspiration for this particular series also came from real-world events. "A couple of years ago, there were a lot of demonstrations against gay marriage in France and it was a violent time for gay people here," says Gouriou. "So, this was a way to express my feelings about that and to show that families who are 'different' are also just like other families."
"Love and gestures of affection are universal," he says. "This is the basis of what a family is."
Click through to see a few photos from the series and check out Gouriou's site to see the rest.
Quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity.
Fulub & Yann-Pier, Centre-Bretagne
"Fulub and Yann-Pier have been living together for 25 years. They bought a house in the countryside together in the center of Brittany...They are both teachers and they spend a lot of time taking care of their animals (cows, horses, pigs, cheep, cats, and dogs) and their vegetable garden. They speak Breton (the former regional language) fluently and use it in their everyday life together. They got married in their village one year ago surrounded by family, friends, and neighbors."
Photo: Courtesy of Vincent Gouriou.
Mélanie, Quimper
"Melanie is posing with her boyfriend, Idris. She's in the middle of a sexual reassignment. She is highly supported by her family, her friends, and her boyfriend. She agreed to participate in this project as an activist gesture to put the lives of transgender people into the light."
Photo: Courtesy of Vincent Gouriou.
Laurence & Her Children, Brest
"I met Laurence through a common friend a couple of years ago. She’s divorced and raises Noémie and Antoine, sharing custody with their father. This picture was taken at her place during typical daily family time."
Photo: Courtesy of Vincent Gouriou.
Françoise & Danielle, Quimper
"Françoise and Danielle have been a couple for several years and got married in June 2015. They barely have any contact with their respective families. They managed to create their own second family and all of them gathered at the wedding. They have agreed to work with me as an activist gesture to [increase the] visibility of the LGBT community."
Photo: Courtesy of Vincent Gouriou.
Sandrine & Frédérique, Vannes
"Sandrine and Frédérique are both transgender and have been together for several months. They’ve agreed to work with me and show their love as an activist gesture. Sandrine has lost the custody of her daughter since she transitioned. She now fights for her rights and those of the LGBT community."
Photo: Courtesy of Vincent Gouriou.
Holy Spirit’s Daughters Community, Brittany
"I've known some of this religious community of sisters since I was a little boy. They were my parents' friends and neighbors, so I came to meet them. They are particularly committed to helping those in need. Because of their religious missions, they often have to move to a different place where they recreate kind of a family for a few years. This picture was taken in Rennes."
Photo: Courtesy of Vincent Gouriou.
Véronique, Anne & Their Twins, Angèle & Lucien; Brest
"Anne and Véronique, live in Brest, Brittany (France). They had to go to Belgium to get an in vitro fertilization and realize their dream of becoming a family three years ago, as France forbade — and still forbids — medically assisted procreation for same-sex couples. After many unsuccessful attempts and many trips to Brussels, their twins were finally born from this love: Angèle and Lucien are now 2 years old."
Photo: Courtesy of Vincent Gouriou.
Twin Sisters, Brest
"I met these twin sisters in a restaurant. I simply asked them if I could take pictures of them. They let me into their lives, as I was fascinated and intrigued by these two characters...They look alike as much as different in small details and in their attitudes. The way they sit, talk, and walk seems to bring them closer and apart at the same time. They live together in an apartment along with their dolls and souvenirs. They love to travel, see exhibitions and shows, and go out at night — they're always together."
Photo: Courtesy of Vincent Gouriou.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Obsessed With Sexual Piercings? You’re Not Alone
'Retro' Dating Is Back & I'm Into It
The Heathers Remake Falls Prey To A Tired & Disappointing Bisexual Trope