Faces in Noir – A Personal Photography Project
By Andres Hernandez

There is beauty in all of us. Our differences are what make us perfectly imperfect.

"Faces in Noir" was born out of a simple but powerful desire—to see people as they are, without distraction, performance, or pretense. In this personal photography project, I set out to capture the quiet strength, vulnerability, and individuality that lives in each of us. I cast participants from across the internet, seeking out a diverse mix of faces, stories, and backgrounds. What united them was not a look or style, but the essence they brought into the room.

Each portrait was made on a minimal set, stripped of color, props, or elaborate lighting. The simplicity of the setup was intentional—it allowed their expressions, body language, and presence to speak louder than anything else. I didn’t give them a script or direct them toward a feeling. Instead, I invited them to simply be—whatever they were carrying in that moment, I encouraged them to let it show.

This project reminded me that beauty isn’t something we manufacture. It’s revealed when people are seen with honesty and care. "Faces in Noir" is a celebration of humanity in its rawest form: bold, soft, flawed, radiant. Perfectly imperfect.