( CNN ) Icelandic photographer Sigga Ella wanted to show that people with Down syndrome are more than a chromosomal abnormality . They are diverse and they 're unique , just like everyone else in the world . Ella 's series , `` First and foremost I am , '' consists of 21 portraits of people ranging from 9 months to 60 years old . She chose the number 21 to represent chromosome 21 , the location of the most common genetic mutation causing the condition . It is currently on exhibit at the Reykjavík Museum of Photography and will be featured in May at the Warsaw Festival of Art Photography . Ella shot the photos in 2013 and 2014 as part of a final project at The School of Photography in Reykjavik . She recently shared the images with CNN iReport . The inspiration started with a radio interview Ella heard in which people were discussing ethical questions brought up by prenatal tests to detect birth defects . She hopes her photos shine a light on `` the beauty and diversity of mankind '' and make us wonder if a future without that diversity is desirable . `` I am not against prenatal/genetic testing for abnormalities but I think we need to stop and think what 's next . ... It 's necessary to open the discussion and educate people more about Down syndrome . It 's not a disease or a flaw . Parents of children with Down syndrome ... would n't exchange them for anything in the world . '' The title of the series , `` First and foremost I am , '' comes from a newspaper article by Halldora Jonsdottir , a 30-year-old woman who is also featured in Ella 's project . `` I have Down syndrome but FIRST AND FOREMOST I AM Halldora , '' Jonsdottir writes . `` I do a million things that other people do . My life is meaningful and good because I choose to be positive and see the good things in life . I go to work , attend school and have hobbies . '' Jonsdottir goes on to say , `` Who is perfect ? Who can say , that we who have Down syndrome are worth less that anyone else ? We are all different and would it be so great if we were all alike ? '' Ella staged the portraits against a floral background because she wanted the subjects `` to stand out but also underline that all kinds of flowers can grow and flourish together . '' The photo shoots lasted from one to three hours . She said she did n't give any coaching or direction for how they should pose ; she just talked with them and waited for the right moment to shoot . `` My favorite part of this project was how relaxed the atmosphere was . No one was pretending to be anything , the emotions were real and some of the times , there was such genuine happiness . ''
Sigga Ella 's portraits show people with Down syndrome from 9 months to 60 years old . She hopes her photos shine a light on `` the beauty and diversity of mankind ''