Why is it so hard to look at ourselves in the mirror and see our own inherent beauty?
I was talking to a couple of friends of mine yesterday about the difference between America and other cultures. In America we have a “standard of beauty” which is vey narrow AND very much an illusion.
My girlfriend remarked yesterday that her friend had come to visit from France and everywhere they went the woman said… “where are all the women with short hair?”
It made my friend sit up and take notice to the fact that here… we do not celebrate our differences, and we look at those who really make a statement with a short haircut or a really different style as bold or brave (or weird).
Here (America) we work hard to “fit in” aka: be someone we are not. not be noticed. not stick out. not to be remarkable.
Fascinating don’t you think?
Robyn was recently approached by a woman who loves the project and follows it. She wondered why we only photograph beautiful women? Robyn responded….
“because that’s all there is to photograph…. would you like to be next?” and said that the woman became flustered and kind of stammered her way through some excuse until a distraction came by so she could gratefully and hurriedly excuse herself…. (where was she going anyway?… back to that place where she is unworthy and unrecognizable?….ooooh please come out… there is sunshine and light out here!) and we further discussed it.
Most people who see the project from a distance do not realize that eighteen women have put themselves into the project (they were not handpicked and ps: most of their albums are in our face book gallery)
They decided to show up for themselves, and take a stand.
They decided to be seen.
Be noticed.
Stick out.
Be Remarkable.
… and it’s YOU the viewer who made them
BEAUTIFUL.
Guess what?
You have the SAME EXACT POWER to deem yourself the same.
I want to reiterate: no one NEEDS the project.
You are already *perfect* exactly as you are.
You are already beautiful.
Worthy.
Remarkable.
You hold the power to release yourself at any time.
However, if you’d like to do the project and see what comes up for you… all are welcome.
Sure, daring and courageous women, willing to be photographed participate in the project but you both have the skill to capture that which many other lenses can’t and don’t. Capturing someone’s essence on film is like playing catch – it requires that they offer themselves willingly but those photographing need to capture it or catch it…and you both do so beautifully. So, credit where credit is due…it’s a dance in which both parties show up equally.
Thank you Juli… this is very true. xoxoxoxo
love this post. beautiful and true that there is only beauty…
If you are hesitating doing the project because you don’t think you are beautiful come do it so that you can see that you are. I was TRP’s 18th woman to be photographed and just did the project this past week. I haven’t seen my photos yet. But I want to share that I am not classically beautiful at all and have some very quirky things about my features- deep, close set eyes, and a very prominent nose with a deviated septum and thin lips. Not to mention varicose veins and tiny boobs! So if I can do it so can you! Come have fun and trust Monica and Robyn to work their magic.