Leoder Sanchez

Leoder Sanchez is a photographer and designer based in NYC and graduated with a BFA in Communication Design from the Parson School of Design. Born and raised in New York, Sanchez is constantly inspired by the diverse perspectives of its inhabitants. He aims to emphasize intimacy and establish human connectivity through his image-making and visual storytelling.

Throughout his years of studies and freelancing, Sanchez’s body of work primarily revolves around gender and sexuality. This ultimately led to the creation of his thesis, VIRILE. VIRILE is an editorial highlighting nine Filipinx individuals exploring the intersections between gender and culture. This exploration is facilitated through Sanchez’s intimate portrait imagery complemented with transcribed conversations on Filipinx history, masculinity, and stereotypes. Conversations are cross-referenced with various external material intended to dive deeper into the subject matter. Virile is not meant to polarize our interpretations of manhood or culture. Rather it highlights the importance of listening, understanding, and engaging in conversation.