Tell us something...
When was the last time you opened up your browser and saw a beautiful image of a body shape that looked just like yours?
When was the last time you saw an image of skin markings that looked just like yours? When was the last time you saw an image of breasts that looked just like yours? An ass that looked just like yours? Scars that looked just like yours? A belly that looked just like yours?
Unless you're a celebrity look alike and have real-time Photoshop (like, a program that follows and moves with you) I'm going to guess that for the majority of us... it's been a while. It's been a while since we've (or maybe we've never) seen our body positively represented within that overwhelming flood of images that fills our social media feeds, televisions, and magazines.
We wanted to change that.
Liora K. and Jes of The Militant Baker decided that it was time to see more diversity represented in media... but not just diversity. Diversity framed beautifully.
They organized a photographic event in Tucson, and 98 (yes, nearly 100) women of all shapes, sizes, shades, and ages, gathered together and undressed their glorious bodies.
Nearly all had something to personally gain from the experience; it was a test of self-trust. They bared all to defy a lifetime of being told that their bodies were less than camera ready. And defy they did. Every time the shutter clicked, triumph was theirs. God, it was moving.
But they also bared all for the world. They undressed because they wanted to share their curves and angles, smiles and frowns, firmness and softness, strength and fear... with you. With everyone who wonders if they are alone in their physical form.
We all know that what we see in the media isn't the whole story. It's not representative of all of us. And because of what we see (or rather DON'T see) we start to believe that we are the only one with our particular stretch marks. Our uneven boobs. Our scarred legs. Our asymmetrical nipples. Our belly shape. Our body hair. Our what-ever-it-is-that-you-don't-see-on-display-any-where-else... Rarely do we see our beautiful and complex combination of body parts that makes us magnificent.
And when we feel alone in our body, we feel as though we are not enough. When the truth is: we are MORE than enough. And we are not alone.
So many of the bodies that we see are pushed up. Pinned down. Sucked in, tucked in, and airbrushed. It's only presentable state is when it's altered, and so when we look at ourselves in the mirror (naked, untucked, and vulnerable) we say "My body must be wrong."
Your body isn't wrong, my friend.
The Expose Project was hosted to offer a medicinal photography opportunity (steps towards healing through terrifying naked poses while a hundred women clap and cheer!) and also to offer YOU more images that perhaps reflect what you might see in the mirror.
98 bodies, untouched. Real, and raw, and more gorgeous than I can put into words. I'm in love with them ALL.
