Geraldine Hope Ghelli

Documentary Photographer

www.geraldineghelli.com

Born Twice

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Location: Brooklyn

Nationality: USA, Italy

Biography: Geraldine Hope Ghelli is an American-Italian freelance documentary photographer currently based in New York City. She is available for assignments world wide.

Born Twice Jennifer checks her... Philadelphia on January 11th.

Born Twice
Jennifer checks herself in the hallway mirror of her apartment building before going out to run errands in New York City, Jan. 2, 2017. After ten years of transitioning, Jennifer, together with her partner, Michelle, has finally decided to undergo sex reassignment surgery. The procedure will take place in Philadelphia on January 11th.

Jennifer and Michelle prepare ... City apartment, Apr. 4, 2017.

Jennifer and Michelle prepare dinner at home before watching Jeopardy in their New York City apartment, Apr. 4, 2017.

Jennifer and Michelle celebrat...k City, Jan. 2, 2017.

Jennifer and Michelle celebrate one week until Jennifer's operation by treating themselves to dinner and to the movies in New York City, Jan. 2, 2017.

Jennifer's bedside tab...lphia, Jan. 10, 2017.

Jennifer's bedside table the night before her operation in East Philadelphia, Jan. 10, 2017.

Jennifer and Michelle in waiti...lphia, Jan. 11, 2017.

Jennifer and Michelle in waiting room before admittance into pre-op at the Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, Jan. 11, 2017.

Moments before Jennifer is adm...lphia, Jan. 11, 2017.

Moments before Jennifer is admitted to the pre-operating room she hugs Michelle goodbye at the Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, Jan. 11, 2017.

Doctors double check Jennifer&...lphia, Jan. 11, 2017.

Doctors double check Jennifer's files before admitting her into the operating room at the Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, Jan. 11, 2017.

Michelle pauses by the bedroom...er enough after her operation.

Michelle pauses by the bedroom wall in Philadelphia the night before Jennifer's operation in East Philadelphia, Jan. 10, 2017. Michelle worries she won't be able to support and comfort Jennifer enough after her operation.

Hanging underwear left to dry ... upper eastside, Apr. 4, 2017.

Hanging underwear left to dry on the bathtub faucet knobs of Jennifer and Michelle's bathroom in their New York City apartment on the upper eastside, Apr. 4, 2017.

Hours after her operation, sti...lphia, Jan. 11, 2017.

Hours after her operation, still under heavy medication, Jennifer tries to speak to Michelle at the Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, Jan. 11, 2017.

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Thumbnail of Born Twice Jennifer checks hers_n Philadelphia on January 11th.

Thumbnail of Jennifer and Michelle prepare d_k City apartment, Apr. 4, 2017.

Thumbnail of Jennifer and Michelle celebrate_rk City, Jan. 2, 2017.

Thumbnail of Jennifer's bedside tabl_elphia, Jan. 10, 2017.

Thumbnail of Jennifer and Michelle in waitin_elphia, Jan. 11, 2017.

Thumbnail of Moments before Jennifer is admi_elphia, Jan. 11, 2017.

Thumbnail of Doctors double check Jennifer&a_elphia, Jan. 11, 2017.

Thumbnail of Michelle pauses by the bedroom _fer enough after her operation.

Thumbnail of Hanging underwear left to dry o_e upper eastside, Apr. 4, 2017.

Thumbnail of Hours after her operation, stil_elphia, Jan. 11, 2017.

Public Story

Born Twice

Copyright Geraldine Hope Ghelli 2024

Date of Work Dec 2016 - Ongoing

Updated Nov 2018

Location New York City

Topics documentary, Photography

Born Twice documents the transition of two transgender women, Jennifer and Michelle, as they go through sex reassignment surgery. At their age, the risks of complication are significantly increased, yet, both want to “finish the cycle” and are committed to take the final step into their transition together. With this work I aim to give an intimate photographic account of their relationship through stages of discomfort, anticipation, and rediscovery.