[Music] you
so there was this one decisive moment
so there was this one decisive moment when it was very clear to me that I
when it was very clear to me that I
when it was very clear to me that I would use my work in photography to
would use my work in photography to
would use my work in photography to explore true beauty I was doing a
explore true beauty I was doing a
explore true beauty I was doing a fashion photo shoot on the Lower East
fashion photo shoot on the Lower East
fashion photo shoot on the Lower East Side in New York it was a very early
Side in New York it was a very early
Side in New York it was a very early call time so when I got to set we were
call time so when I got to set we were
call time so when I got to set we were delayed because the hair and makeup
delayed because the hair and makeup
delayed because the hair and makeup teams were running late I got my
teams were running late I got my
teams were running late I got my equipment set up and scoped out the
equipment set up and scoped out the
equipment set up and scoped out the space visualizing in all of the photos
space visualizing in all of the photos
space visualizing in all of the photos that I wanted to make I grabbed some
that I wanted to make I grabbed some
that I wanted to make I grabbed some coffee and just waited around for the
coffee and just waited around for the
coffee and just waited around for the rest of the crew to show up the model
rest of the crew to show up the model
rest of the crew to show up the model for the shoot was there and so we just
for the shoot was there and so we just
for the shoot was there and so we just began to chat
began to chat
began to chat she was actually from Brazil which was
she was actually from Brazil which was
she was actually from Brazil which was great because I had just traveled to
great because I had just traveled to
great because I had just traveled to Brazil the year before spent a few
Brazil the year before spent a few
Brazil the year before spent a few months there it was really fun to
months there it was really fun to
months there it was really fun to practice the few Portuguese words that I
practice the few Portuguese words that I
practice the few Portuguese words that I had learned talk about Brazil here about
had learned talk about Brazil here about
had learned talk about Brazil here about her travels around the world I really
her travels around the world I really
her travels around the world I really liked her energy we had a great
liked her energy we had a great
liked her energy we had a great connection and I was getting really
connection and I was getting really
connection and I was getting really excited to make photos with her so after
excited to make photos with her so after
excited to make photos with her so after a while the hair and makeup team show up
a while the hair and makeup team show up
a while the hair and makeup team show up the model gets into the first outfit
the model gets into the first outfit
the model gets into the first outfit we’re ready to go we were going for an
we’re ready to go we were going for an
we’re ready to go we were going for an urban feel for the shoot so the model
urban feel for the shoot so the model
urban feel for the shoot so the model and I climb out this little window onto
and I climb out this little window onto
and I climb out this little window onto this old rusty fire escape that sort of
this old rusty fire escape that sort of
this old rusty fire escape that sort of overlooked the street below us the model
overlooked the street below us the model
overlooked the street below us the model was sitting in front of me smoking a
was sitting in front of me smoking a
was sitting in front of me smoking a cigarette she wasn’t actually a smoker
cigarette she wasn’t actually a smoker
cigarette she wasn’t actually a smoker but the art director for this shoot
but the art director for this shoot
but the art director for this shoot thought it would make her look cooler
thought it would make her look cooler
thought it would make her look cooler more edgy so just a couple of minutes
more edgy so just a couple of minutes
more edgy so just a couple of minutes before we were ready to start she sent
before we were ready to start she sent
before we were ready to start she sent the photo assistant to the corner store
the photo assistant to the corner store
the photo assistant to the corner store to get a pack of cigarettes everything’s
to get a pack of cigarettes everything’s
to get a pack of cigarettes everything’s in place and I grabbed my camera put it
in place and I grabbed my camera put it
in place and I grabbed my camera put it up to my eye and in that moment the
up to my eye and in that moment the
up to my eye and in that moment the model changed right before my eyes her
model changed right before my eyes her
model changed right before my eyes her back arched and her gaze dropped on to
back arched and her gaze dropped on to
back arched and her gaze dropped on to the side and her mouth did that model
the side and her mouth did that model
the side and her mouth did that model pouty thing that always happens in
pouty thing that always happens in
pouty thing that always happens in photos she was no longer that person I’d
photos she was no longer that person I’d
photos she was no longer that person I’d been talking to she had transformed into
been talking to she had transformed into
been talking to she had transformed into the model that she was trained to be in
the model that she was trained to be in
the model that she was trained to be in that moment I hated my work
that moment I hated my work
that moment I hated my work it felt like the most inauthentic thing
it felt like the most inauthentic thing
it felt like the most inauthentic thing in the world to me because that’s the
in the world to me because that’s the
in the world to me because that’s the age-old recipe for success right you get
age-old recipe for success right you get
age-old recipe for success right you get your product and you give it to a pretty
your product and you give it to a pretty
your product and you give it to a pretty girl you make an image and a lot of
girl you make an image and a lot of
girl you make an image and a lot of times you modify that image to a
times you modify that image to a
times you modify that image to a completely unrealistic level you put it
completely unrealistic level you put it
completely unrealistic level you put it into all of your advertising and you
into all of your advertising and you
into all of your advertising and you make real women feel like that’s what
make real women feel like that’s what
make real women feel like that’s what they should aspire to be I hated being a
they should aspire to be I hated being a
they should aspire to be I hated being a part of that system I wanted to tell a
part of that system I wanted to tell a
part of that system I wanted to tell a different story
different story
different story about bodies and beauty so I decided to
about bodies and beauty so I decided to
about bodies and beauty so I decided to go back to Brazil I loved the diversity
go back to Brazil I loved the diversity
go back to Brazil I loved the diversity of beauty there and the way that Brazil
of beauty there and the way that Brazil
of beauty there and the way that Brazil truly felt like a melting pot indigenous
truly felt like a melting pot indigenous
truly felt like a melting pot indigenous European African Asian all mixed
European African Asian all mixed
European African Asian all mixed together over generations it felt like
together over generations it felt like
together over generations it felt like the perfect place to talk about bodies
the perfect place to talk about bodies
the perfect place to talk about bodies and the stories that they can tell so I
and the stories that they can tell so I
and the stories that they can tell so I packed up my life in New York went back
packed up my life in New York went back
packed up my life in New York went back to Brazil and started making photos I
to Brazil and started making photos I
to Brazil and started making photos I was just learning Portuguese didn’t know
was just learning Portuguese didn’t know
was just learning Portuguese didn’t know a lot of people so I started with my
a lot of people so I started with my
a lot of people so I started with my small group of acquaintances and took a
small group of acquaintances and took a
small group of acquaintances and took a lot of a lot of portraits all different
lot of a lot of portraits all different
lot of a lot of portraits all different settings and positions it’s something
settings and positions it’s something
settings and positions it’s something that I learned really early on is that
that I learned really early on is that
that I learned really early on is that women’s bodies are inherently viewed as
women’s bodies are inherently viewed as
women’s bodies are inherently viewed as sexual even when men bodies are not if I
sexual even when men bodies are not if I
sexual even when men bodies are not if I showed a nude woman in my photos people
showed a nude woman in my photos people
showed a nude woman in my photos people almost always saw that as a sexual image
almost always saw that as a sexual image
almost always saw that as a sexual image I wanted to create a new narrative about
I wanted to create a new narrative about
I wanted to create a new narrative about bodies so I needed to find a way to show
bodies so I needed to find a way to show
bodies so I needed to find a way to show women’s bodies without a sexual
women’s bodies without a sexual
women’s bodies without a sexual connotation so after a lot of
connotation so after a lot of
connotation so after a lot of experimentation I eventually decided
experimentation I eventually decided
experimentation I eventually decided that I would create portraits shot from
that I would create portraits shot from
that I would create portraits shot from the back my project female was born I
the back my project female was born I
the back my project female was born I found four women to start and created a
found four women to start and created a
found four women to start and created a little photo studio in my apartment I
little photo studio in my apartment I
little photo studio in my apartment I had a white wall that I used as a
had a white wall that I used as a
had a white wall that I used as a background and lots of natural light in
background and lots of natural light in
background and lots of natural light in the space the women would sit or stand
the space the women would sit or stand
the space the women would sit or stand facing the wall and I’d photograph their
facing the wall and I’d photograph their
facing the wall and I’d photograph their backs really simple
backs really simple
backs really simple in the beginning I would suggest poses
in the beginning I would suggest poses
in the beginning I would suggest poses tilt your head this way you move your
tilt your head this way you move your
tilt your head this way you move your arm a little bit this way but pretty
arm a little bit this way but pretty
arm a little bit this way but pretty quickly I realized that the most
quickly I realized that the most
quickly I realized that the most interesting part was just there the
interesting part was just there the
interesting part was just there the differences in their natural posture the
differences in their natural posture the
differences in their natural posture the part of all of this that was completely
part of all of this that was completely
part of all of this that was completely stunning to me was how the women reacted
stunning to me was how the women reacted
stunning to me was how the women reacted to seeing their own portraits they
to seeing their own portraits they
to seeing their own portraits they didn’t recognize themselves they didn’t
didn’t recognize themselves they didn’t
didn’t recognize themselves they didn’t really believe that that was them it was
really believe that that was them it was
really believe that that was them it was uncomfortable and confusing but also
uncomfortable and confusing but also
uncomfortable and confusing but also liberating
liberating
liberating they were so accustomed to seeing their
they were so accustomed to seeing their
they were so accustomed to seeing their faces and portraits even the Friends of
faces and portraits even the Friends of
faces and portraits even the Friends of themselves but looking at their backs
themselves but looking at their backs
themselves but looking at their backs that was unnerving it was a little bit
that was unnerving it was a little bit
that was unnerving it was a little bit like hearing a recording of your own
like hearing a recording of your own
like hearing a recording of your own voice they’d never seen themselves from
voice they’d never seen themselves from
voice they’d never seen themselves from that angle and truly they’d only
that angle and truly they’d only
that angle and truly they’d only revealed the entirety of their backs and
revealed the entirety of their backs and
revealed the entirety of their backs and the most intimate situations maybe with
the most intimate situations maybe with
the most intimate situations maybe with a sexual partner or a doctor and I’ve
a sexual partner or a doctor and I’ve
a sexual partner or a doctor and I’ve photographed a lot of women so I’m
photographed a lot of women so I’m
photographed a lot of women so I’m pretty familiar with what happens when
pretty familiar with what happens when
pretty familiar with what happens when women see portraits of themselves
women see portraits of themselves
women see portraits of themselves there’s an assessment that takes place
there’s an assessment that takes place
there’s an assessment that takes place oh we like my hair in this one my arms
oh we like my hair in this one my arms
oh we like my hair in this one my arms look a little bit fat here a lot of
look a little bit fat here a lot of
look a little bit fat here a lot of judgment but with these photos it was
judgment but with these photos it was
judgment but with these photos it was different it was as if these women
different it was as if these women
different it was as if these women weren’t really looking at themselves but
weren’t really looking at themselves but
weren’t really looking at themselves but instead they were searching for
instead they were searching for
instead they were searching for themselves in the photos wondering if
themselves in the photos wondering if
themselves in the photos wondering if that’s truly how the world sees them and
that’s truly how the world sees them and
that’s truly how the world sees them and in that tiny window of disorientation
in that tiny window of disorientation
in that tiny window of disorientation and confusion I realized I could have
and confusion I realized I could have
and confusion I realized I could have the opportunity to guide these women to
the opportunity to guide these women to
the opportunity to guide these women to a new way to feel about their bodies as
a new way to feel about their bodies as
a new way to feel about their bodies as I continued making and sharing portraits
I continued making and sharing portraits
I continued making and sharing portraits female began to gain popularity now it’s
female began to gain popularity now it’s
female began to gain popularity now it’s been showed around the world South
been showed around the world South
been showed around the world South Africa Italy India Japan Germany and
Africa Italy India Japan Germany and
Africa Italy India Japan Germany and it’s generated a lot of conversation a
it’s generated a lot of conversation a
it’s generated a lot of conversation a favorite publication of mine was an
favorite publication of mine was an
favorite publication of mine was an interview that I did with ID
interview that I did with ID
interview that I did with ID magazine I was so thrilled when they
magazine I was so thrilled when they
magazine I was so thrilled when they chose this portrait of beautiful 87 year
chose this portrait of beautiful 87 year
chose this portrait of beautiful 87 year old aria to run across the top of the
old aria to run across the top of the
old aria to run across the top of the page
page
page can you imagine right there with these
can you imagine right there with these
can you imagine right there with these twenty-something and cool kids and
twenty-something and cool kids and
twenty-something and cool kids and pretty people
pretty people
pretty people beautiful Aria and Vanity Fair in Italy
beautiful Aria and Vanity Fair in Italy
beautiful Aria and Vanity Fair in Italy when they wrote about female they
when they wrote about female they
when they wrote about female they included all of these different
included all of these different
included all of these different portraits this collection of women of
portraits this collection of women of
portraits this collection of women of all body types it’s not what I’m used to
all body types it’s not what I’m used to
all body types it’s not what I’m used to seeing on the covers of fashion so not
seeing on the covers of fashion so not
seeing on the covers of fashion so not cover in fashion magazines I felt great
cover in fashion magazines I felt great
cover in fashion magazines I felt great because I felt like I’d moved so far
because I felt like I’d moved so far
because I felt like I’d moved so far away from that system that objectifies
away from that system that objectifies
away from that system that objectifies women and I found a way to create
women and I found a way to create
women and I found a way to create beautiful images that could change the
beautiful images that could change the
beautiful images that could change the very limited way that we think about
very limited way that we think about
very limited way that we think about female beauty so I’ve tried to wrap my
female beauty so I’ve tried to wrap my
female beauty so I’ve tried to wrap my mind around what it is about this
mind around what it is about this
mind around what it is about this project that resonates with so many
project that resonates with so many
project that resonates with so many people across the world and I discovered
people across the world and I discovered
people across the world and I discovered this German term piconfig wha sorry I
this German term piconfig wha sorry I
this German term piconfig wha sorry I don’t speak German and if you translate
don’t speak German and if you translate
don’t speak German and if you translate that literally it means back figure you
that literally it means back figure you
that literally it means back figure you could understand it to mean a figure
could understand it to mean a figure
could understand it to mean a figure viewed from behind and this is a
viewed from behind and this is a
viewed from behind and this is a compositional device used by artists
compositional device used by artists
compositional device used by artists generally painters in order to sort of
generally painters in order to sort of
generally painters in order to sort of thrust the viewer of the painting into
thrust the viewer of the painting into
thrust the viewer of the painting into the scene they will put a human figure
the scene they will put a human figure
the scene they will put a human figure there looking out into the scene the
there looking out into the scene the
there looking out into the scene the subject is often overlooking a vast
subject is often overlooking a vast
subject is often overlooking a vast landscape you know really a direct
landscape you know really a direct
landscape you know really a direct observer and this functions almost like
observer and this functions almost like
observer and this functions almost like an invitation for you as the viewer of
an invitation for you as the viewer of
an invitation for you as the viewer of the painting to step right into that
the painting to step right into that
the painting to step right into that person’s footsteps and view everything
person’s footsteps and view everything
person’s footsteps and view everything from their perspective my portraits do
from their perspective my portraits do
from their perspective my portraits do the same thing they invite you to step
the same thing they invite you to step
the same thing they invite you to step into each woman’s skin for a moment
into each woman’s skin for a moment
into each woman’s skin for a moment there’s no beautiful landscape there
there’s no beautiful landscape there
there’s no beautiful landscape there there’s no unfolding drama to witness
there’s no unfolding drama to witness
there’s no unfolding drama to witness but there is the opportunity to reflect
but there is the opportunity to reflect
but there is the opportunity to reflect on each woman’s existence her skin color
on each woman’s existence her skin color
on each woman’s existence her skin color the texture of her hair
the texture of her hair
the texture of her hair her warmth her scars the marks on her
her warmth her scars the marks on her
her warmth her scars the marks on her body her beauty her peculiarities and
body her beauty her peculiarities and
body her beauty her peculiarities and all of their glory women I’d never met
all of their glory women I’d never met
all of their glory women I’d never met began to write to me about the project
began to write to me about the project
began to write to me about the project and sometimes I really couldn’t believe
and sometimes I really couldn’t believe
and sometimes I really couldn’t believe everything that they would reveal to me
everything that they would reveal to me
everything that they would reveal to me complete strangers would tell me about
complete strangers would tell me about
complete strangers would tell me about all of the ways that they’ve struggled
all of the ways that they’ve struggled
all of the ways that they’ve struggled within their bodies sexual violence
within their bodies sexual violence
within their bodies sexual violence racism humiliation and how seen all of
racism humiliation and how seen all of
racism humiliation and how seen all of these women together showing their
these women together showing their
these women together showing their strength and vulnerability empowered by
strength and vulnerability empowered by
strength and vulnerability empowered by their imperfections began to change all
their imperfections began to change all
their imperfections began to change all of that there’s one letter in particular
of that there’s one letter in particular
of that there’s one letter in particular that I wanted to share with you guys
that I wanted to share with you guys
that I wanted to share with you guys today and this was from Aiza excuse me
yeah this is from Aiza in Brazil I think
yeah this is from Aiza in Brazil I think this project is wonderful and I would
this project is wonderful and I would
this project is wonderful and I would like to participate
like to participate
like to participate unfortunately I live far from you but
unfortunately I live far from you but
unfortunately I live far from you but throughout my life I’ve listened to
throughout my life I’ve listened to
throughout my life I’ve listened to several people mainly my family always
several people mainly my family always
several people mainly my family always talking about my skin tone or curly hair
talking about my skin tone or curly hair
talking about my skin tone or curly hair I never believed much and what these
I never believed much and what these
I never believed much and what these people said but no one is made of steel
people said but no one is made of steel
people said but no one is made of steel at nine years old I started to suffer
at nine years old I started to suffer
at nine years old I started to suffer from bullying at school because of my
from bullying at school because of my
from bullying at school because of my color they would call me slave and tell
color they would call me slave and tell
color they would call me slave and tell me that my place was in the kitchen and
me that my place was in the kitchen and
me that my place was in the kitchen and of course the offenses were always
of course the offenses were always
of course the offenses were always accompanied by violence for a long time
accompanied by violence for a long time
accompanied by violence for a long time I really believed what the girls said
I really believed what the girls said
I really believed what the girls said until they began to draw and mature a
until they began to draw and mature a
until they began to draw and mature a little more during that time I began to
little more during that time I began to
little more during that time I began to learn more about embracing your origins
learn more about embracing your origins
learn more about embracing your origins just as I discovered feminism and its
just as I discovered feminism and its
just as I discovered feminism and its ideas I am Who I am today thanks to my
ideas I am Who I am today thanks to my
ideas I am Who I am today thanks to my roots and I’m very proud of that this
roots and I’m very proud of that this
roots and I’m very proud of that this project is so important to me because in
project is so important to me because in
project is so important to me because in this way other girls that like me have
this way other girls that like me have
this way other girls that like me have suffered or continue to suffer from this
suffered or continue to suffer from this
suffered or continue to suffer from this type of discrimination can pass through
type of discrimination can pass through
type of discrimination can pass through the same experience that I have and
the same experience that I have and
the same experience that I have and understand that above all they should be
understand that above all they should be
understand that above all they should be proud of who they are
proud of who they are
proud of who they are even when the world tries to tell them
even when the world tries to tell them
even when the world tries to tell them who they should be from Aiza so I was
who they should be from Aiza so I was
who they should be from Aiza so I was kind of blown away by that
kind of blown away by that
kind of blown away by that 15 years old that’s a lot of wisdom and
15 years old that’s a lot of wisdom and
15 years old that’s a lot of wisdom and in those first months receiving those
in those first months receiving those
in those first months receiving those intimate messages I really began to
intimate messages I really began to
intimate messages I really began to understand how much damage was being
understand how much damage was being
understand how much damage was being done to women and their self images in
done to women and their self images in
done to women and their self images in the name of this beauty myth as women so
the name of this beauty myth as women so
the name of this beauty myth as women so much of our perceived societal value is
much of our perceived societal value is
much of our perceived societal value is wrapped up in our physical appearance
wrapped up in our physical appearance
wrapped up in our physical appearance we received messaging is about how we
we received messaging is about how we
we received messaging is about how we should look and what about us isn’t good
should look and what about us isn’t good
should look and what about us isn’t good enough starting at just a couple of
enough starting at just a couple of
enough starting at just a couple of years old and even when we get older and
years old and even when we get older and
years old and even when we get older and we begin to understand that so much of
we begin to understand that so much of
we begin to understand that so much of this is based in patriarchy and
this is based in patriarchy and
this is based in patriarchy and perpetuated by companies that stands a
perpetuated by companies that stands a
perpetuated by companies that stands a profit from our insecurities these
profit from our insecurities these
profit from our insecurities these messages are often internalized and we
messages are often internalized and we
messages are often internalized and we struggle to remember that they’re not
struggle to remember that they’re not
struggle to remember that they’re not the truth but they are not the true
the truth but they are not the true
the truth but they are not the true story of course I think that these
story of course I think that these
story of course I think that these portraits alone are beautiful but what I
portraits alone are beautiful but what I
portraits alone are beautiful but what I think is most powerful about female is
think is most powerful about female is
think is most powerful about female is how every woman who participates is very
how every woman who participates is very
how every woman who participates is very intimately involved as a part of the
intimately involved as a part of the
intimately involved as a part of the project I invite each woman to write her
project I invite each woman to write her
project I invite each woman to write her own personal reflection and that serves
own personal reflection and that serves
own personal reflection and that serves as a caption that goes along with her
as a caption that goes along with her
as a caption that goes along with her portrait it’s important to me that this
portrait it’s important to me that this
portrait it’s important to me that this is a collaborative experience not just
is a collaborative experience not just
is a collaborative experience not just my perspective on each woman but also
my perspective on each woman but also
my perspective on each woman but also her own personal expression these women
her own personal expression these women
her own personal expression these women are my teachers in their strength and
are my teachers in their strength and
are my teachers in their strength and vulnerability they’ve shown me what true
vulnerability they’ve shown me what true
vulnerability they’ve shown me what true beauty is true beauty is the
beauty is true beauty is the
beauty is true beauty is the one-of-a-kind mark on our skin that as
one-of-a-kind mark on our skin that as
one-of-a-kind mark on our skin that as children we may be ashamed of but as we
children we may be ashamed of but as we
children we may be ashamed of but as we get older and understand more about the
get older and understand more about the
get older and understand more about the world we see that it connects us to the
world we see that it connects us to the
world we see that it connects us to the most spiritual parts of who we are it’s
most spiritual parts of who we are it’s
most spiritual parts of who we are it’s the resilience I see when I look at
the resilience I see when I look at
the resilience I see when I look at angel who’s scheduled a portrait session
angel who’s scheduled a portrait session
angel who’s scheduled a portrait session with me but warn me ahead of time that
with me but warn me ahead of time that
with me but warn me ahead of time that because she’s battling a chronic illness
because she’s battling a chronic illness
because she’s battling a chronic illness and some days just doesn’t
and some days just doesn’t
and some days just doesn’t good enough to leave the house she may
good enough to leave the house she may
good enough to leave the house she may need to call and cancel on portrait day
need to call and cancel on portrait day
need to call and cancel on portrait day it’s the obvious links that I see
it’s the obvious links that I see
it’s the obvious links that I see between generations when I photograph a
between generations when I photograph a
between generations when I photograph a mother and daughter together or in this
mother and daughter together or in this
mother and daughter together or in this case a grandmother and a granddaughter
case a grandmother and a granddaughter
case a grandmother and a granddaughter together it’s the search for belonging
together it’s the search for belonging
together it’s the search for belonging of a biracial woman who doesn’t fit
of a biracial woman who doesn’t fit
of a biracial woman who doesn’t fit neatly into a black or white box in the
neatly into a black or white box in the
neatly into a black or white box in the courage of publicly transitioning to
courage of publicly transitioning to
courage of publicly transitioning to living let your life as a woman after
living let your life as a woman after
living let your life as a woman after decades of publicly identifying as a man
decades of publicly identifying as a man
decades of publicly identifying as a man the story of hours of work and effort
the story of hours of work and effort
the story of hours of work and effort that you put into building a strong and
that you put into building a strong and
that you put into building a strong and fierce body or the discoloration on your
fierce body or the discoloration on your
fierce body or the discoloration on your skin from the hours that you’ve spent
skin from the hours that you’ve spent
skin from the hours that you’ve spent under the Sun mastering the sport that
under the Sun mastering the sport that
under the Sun mastering the sport that you love for those like Sita who carry
you love for those like Sita who carry
you love for those like Sita who carry the gift of melanin in their skin it’s
the gift of melanin in their skin it’s
the gift of melanin in their skin it’s the recognition of the ritual and the
the recognition of the ritual and the
the recognition of the ritual and the struggle of your ancestors and how that
struggle of your ancestors and how that
struggle of your ancestors and how that has shaped who you are today beauty is
has shaped who you are today beauty is
has shaped who you are today beauty is the marks that we choose to use to adorn
the marks that we choose to use to adorn
the marks that we choose to use to adorn our bodies as we move through different
our bodies as we move through different
our bodies as we move through different phases of our lives and the poetry of
phases of our lives and the poetry of
phases of our lives and the poetry of femininity that exudes even in to the
femininity that exudes even in to the
femininity that exudes even in to the point of a flower in your hair it’s also
point of a flower in your hair it’s also
point of a flower in your hair it’s also the individuality of someone who doesn’t
the individuality of someone who doesn’t
the individuality of someone who doesn’t fit into a stereotypical feminine space
fit into a stereotypical feminine space
fit into a stereotypical feminine space but takes great pride in being a woman
but takes great pride in being a woman
but takes great pride in being a woman and the scars that show the tools placed
and the scars that show the tools placed
and the scars that show the tools placed on our body but also demonstrate our
on our body but also demonstrate our
on our body but also demonstrate our incredible capacity to heal it’s the
incredible capacity to heal it’s the
incredible capacity to heal it’s the recognition of how our bodies can hold
recognition of how our bodies can hold
recognition of how our bodies can hold on to weight and struggle from a much
on to weight and struggle from a much
on to weight and struggle from a much younger age and maybe most of all it’s
younger age and maybe most of all it’s
younger age and maybe most of all it’s the gratitude that we have toward our
the gratitude that we have toward our
the gratitude that we have toward our bodies for being our most intimate
bodies for being our most intimate
bodies for being our most intimate witnesses to the challenge and struggles
witnesses to the challenge and struggles
witnesses to the challenge and struggles of recent years
of recent years
of recent years to quote Kennedy who I photographed when
to quote Kennedy who I photographed when
to quote Kennedy who I photographed when I was in San Francisco my worth doesn’t
I was in San Francisco my worth doesn’t
I was in San Francisco my worth doesn’t lie and how I present or sexualize my
lie and how I present or sexualize my
lie and how I present or sexualize my body to the outside world but in the
body to the outside world but in the
body to the outside world but in the freckles scars and tan lines I
freckles scars and tan lines I
freckles scars and tan lines I accumulate from living my life
accumulate from living my life
accumulate from living my life authentically
authentically
authentically I learned so much from working on female
I learned so much from working on female
I learned so much from working on female that I’ve actually changed all of my
that I’ve actually changed all of my
that I’ve actually changed all of my work to focus solely on creating
work to focus solely on creating
work to focus solely on creating empowering portraiture of women this
empowering portraiture of women this
empowering portraiture of women this year I opened a portrait studio that
year I opened a portrait studio that
year I opened a portrait studio that just focuses on that celebrating women
just focuses on that celebrating women
just focuses on that celebrating women and the various stages of their lives
and the various stages of their lives
and the various stages of their lives it’s been such an honor for me to find
it’s been such an honor for me to find
it’s been such an honor for me to find this way to use photography purposefully
this way to use photography purposefully
this way to use photography purposefully to create an opportunity for these women
to create an opportunity for these women
to create an opportunity for these women to get very in touch with how they feel
to get very in touch with how they feel
to get very in touch with how they feel about their bodies and to reclaim what
about their bodies and to reclaim what
about their bodies and to reclaim what their bodies mean to them I feel like
their bodies mean to them I feel like
their bodies mean to them I feel like I’ve discovered the magic of creating a
I’ve discovered the magic of creating a
I’ve discovered the magic of creating a safe space for women to feel strong and
safe space for women to feel strong and
safe space for women to feel strong and beautiful in their vulnerability and
beautiful in their vulnerability and
beautiful in their vulnerability and individuality none of this is about
individuality none of this is about
individuality none of this is about perfection it’s all about being real and
perfection it’s all about being real and
perfection it’s all about being real and it’s amazing what happens when you have
it’s amazing what happens when you have
it’s amazing what happens when you have the courage to resist living your life
the courage to resist living your life
the courage to resist living your life as a performance for others and really
as a performance for others and really
as a performance for others and really begin to stand in your true light thank
begin to stand in your true light thank
begin to stand in your true light thank you
you
you [Applause]
”
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