Back in February, many of you saw our Super Bowl ad, “Seen on Pixel.” The spot told the story behind Real Tone, Google’s years-long effort to ensure all our camera and imaging products accurately represent all skin tones.

“Seen on Pixel” doesn’t just represent Google’s commitment to image equity, it's an invitation for all Pixel owners to take more beautiful, more equitable images. So for Season 6 of Creator Labs, we invited 23 artists to tell their stories.

While these 23 artists — our largest Creator Labs incubator to-date — come from varying backgrounds, identities and places, common themes emerged from their respective interpretations of “Seen on Pixel” as their prompt. They focused on things like individuality, community and identity.

MaryV, Coyote Park and Anthony Prince Leslie turned the camera on themselves, exploring what it means to be “seen” through your own lens. New artist Coyote Park says they want their work to speak to trans, Indigenous youth. “I want them to know that we are powerful and beautiful,” Coyote says. “For me, the act of shapeshifting is spiritual and a mode of self love. It allows me to embrace myself in my entirety.”

Chiara Gabellini and Tim Kellner also wanted to capture a sense of vulnerability in their projects, while Natalia Mantini and Andy Jackson took intimate portraits of their chosen families.

Shikeith and Lawrence Agyei photographed churches, as well as the youth boxers of The Bloc Chicago. They both focused on the idea of what it means to be Black, queer and spiritual

Andre Wagner documented Black skate culture. He photographed his subject, Ant Lava, who finds reprieve in the roller rink, where he says he feels safe.

Myesha Evon Gardner, who photographed her hometown of Cleveland, was inspired by a childhood memory: “My mother had a kitchen towel set that depicted a honey bear with a variation on the phrase ‘home is where the honey is,’ which inspired and shares the name of this project,” Myesha says. “I wanted to show the complexities of Cleveland in a light that goes against its negative associations.”

Ultimately, that’s what Season 6 is about: Celebrating what it means to truly be yourself in spaces that feel sacred to you — where you feel seen.

Other artists who were part of this season include: Kennedi Carter, Glassface, MaryV, Adrian Octavius Walker, June Canedo, Anthony Prince Leslie, Aidan Cullen, Zamar Velez, Chiaara Gabellini, Pegah Farahmand, Neva Wireko and Myles Loftin.

“As humans we are constantly trying to understand ourselves … this is a universal experience, both socially and culturally. I find myself currently in a state of asking questions relating to my own sense of self.” This was what photographer MaryV was thinking while she was working on her latest project with Creator Labs.

Following the launch of Google Pixel 6 Pro in October, MaryV and 12 other lens-based artists were tasked with exploring the idea of “For All You Are,” a prompt referencing why we started the Creator Labs program: We want to give artists the tools to tell their own stories, in their own unique voices.

This year, Creator Labs artists were also able to use Real Tone on Google Pixel 6, a multi-year mission to make best-in-class smartphone cameras that photograph skin more equitably. As part of this initiative, the Pixel team made a suite of improvements and changes across how Pixel’s camera and supporting imagery products work to highlight the nuances of different skin tones beautifully and authentically.

One theme we saw multiple artists focus on was “ancestry,” both from the perspective of honoring traditions and redefining what constitutes family. Anthony Prince Leslie reimagined African Folklore with his piece “Spyda,” which in his words, showcases “the resilience of the Black diaspora and the importance of storytelling as a method of preserving history.” Texas Isaiah paid homage to his childhood home in East New York, Brooklyn. As the first-generation of his family born in the U.S., he never spent time with his extended family. So as a child, his home was filled with native Canadian and South American ​​photographs, souvenirs and other materials his family had collected over more than 30 years.

Myles Loftin challenged the “traditional” family structures with his piece by documenting and honoring his chosen family in New York City. This is an extension of a larger body of work called “In The Life” which centers on Black Queer life.

While each artists’ work is unique, they all invite us to reflect and be vulnerable.

Other Creator Labs artists include Mayan Toledano, Pegah Farahmand, Kennedi Carter, Aidan Cullen, Andre Wagner, Tim Kellner, Natalia Mantini, Josh Goldenberg (glassface) and June Canedo. You can see examples of their work and more from the artists above onthe Pixel Instagram page.

^{Photos by Natalia Mantini, MaryV and Tim Kellner}

In her latest piece, "A gente mora por cima e abaixo do perigo," June Canedo documents her family's immigration from Brazil. “The many lessons from my home place and family, which I  interpret into objects, are markers of my movement,” she explains. “Often forward but with many detours along the way.”

The same could be said of Google Pixel’s Creator Labs’ latest body of work: The program most recently invited nine artists to explore the idea of progress, captured on Pixel 5. 

Like June, photographers MaryV and Andrew Thomas Huang explored heritage in their work, looking at how we  carry forward certain traditions. MaryV commemorated her friend Aeron and daughter Becca in Korean Hanboks. Andrew showcased his reconnection to his Chinese ancestry by  incorporating Taoist scripture and symbolism; he felt compelled to share an intimate self portrait literally reflecting his self discovery.

Two of our artists trekked alone into state parks with their Pixel devices — thanks to exceptional battery life, no extra equipment needed. Tim Kellner captured vibrant images of flora in his piece “Distant” while Natalia Mantini said she wanted to “soothe the viewer with beautiful, meditative imagery amplifying the historical practice of healing through Earth” in her series. 

Inspired by the motto of his native Jamaica, Anthony Prince Leslie created a piece inviting us all to find common ground.  

All of the artists interpreted progress differently, but each left us with a similar feeling —  a feeling of forward movement and positive momentum. Creator Labs artists also include Josh Goldenberg (Glassface), Kennedi Carter and Mayan Toledano. You can see examples of their work and more from the artists above on the Pixel Instagram page.