“Hello, This is [She]…”
A passion project set to create art through various lighting schemes and photoshoot themes that fit the woman’s style and accurately depicts their sense of self.
Everybody has a story! Some are great, and some gory. This project gives an opportunity for women of all kinds of stories, who are on a path to healing and self-actualization, to visually express themselves, approach a level of vulnerability, and talk about their journey.
RIVERS & ROADS
“Hello, This is [Jada]….”
Yes, I have curves. But there are physical imperfections & strong features too. Sometimes I see broad shoulders, strong back, marks and scars on a small yet resilient frame. I think my body was designed to house a mind and soul which allow me to exist boldly, selflessly and holistically. In reality, for Others this body has been a family member, a student, athlete, engineer, teach, mentor, lover, Christian… all beautiful labels that makeup whatever was expected of me.
While pushing my body to live up to these labels, I’ve become aware of features that used to & could still carry a stigma. I used to be overwhelmed by Other’s eyes and hide these features to keep Others comfortable. I love them personally (now). It’s a flex. Or… are they flaws? Are these just things subject to self-perception? Either way, I’ve come to I love it for me! I’ve been granted an understanding that when I’m silent, my mind, body and soul can exist harmoniously for myself now. My body is an artist, creator, teacher, friend, traveler, gardener, masterpiece, work in progress…
Better self-perception didn’t come out of nowhere. I had to experience loss of nearly every security blanket I had in a little bit of time. I was suddenly stripped and broken wide open to spill out what no longer served me.I nearly lost my home and every bit of safety I could feel. I lost my furry best friend. I walked away from people, opportunities and needs that I couldn’t meet. I lost my appetite. I chopped my hair off. I faced childhood wounds. I shed everything and I mourned every moment.
I’m not ashamed or afraid of the battles my Spirit fights to heal itself. I’m beautiful inside & out.
I’m still on a healing journey but aren’t we all? I’ve experienced the lows of lows & watched myself grow. I’ve learned what’s here to stay & what’s for show. Sometimes, I still look over my shoulder for the next blow but what I won’t do is allow anything to destroy my flow, RIVERS & ROADS
Two Sides, Two Little Coins
“Hello, This is [Lindsay]…”
Let’s see… Beautiful, Intelligent, Humble, Optimistic, Persistent, Focused, Genuine, Reliable… just some of the words my family and friends used to describe me. But why is it so hard for me to see these in myself?
I was given a task… “Name something about yourself that you feel sets you apart from your circle, or others”… and I was stuck! I literally had nothing. The point of the task was to brag about yourself and you’d think this would be easy, right? That I’d have a ton to say… I had not one thing!
I mean… Bachelor’s degree in Computer Technology, currently completing my Master’s program in Cybersecurity, Homeowner, a career in my field, and yet…NOTHING! I had nothing.
Reality is, I became a mom of two and completely lost my sense of self. Who am I? What do I like to do? Truth is, I couldn’t answer these questions, let alone, without mentioning my children. Becoming a mom is an amazing experience but there’s a side to that coin that no one really talks about. A side outside of sleepless nights, getting peed on, blow outs, etc. My children became the ONLY thing I cared about. They became my world and so I lost… me.
I am currently on this journey of discovering myself and it has been hard, painful but yet rewarding. It isn’t finished and I am still learning, but I am excited to learn who Lindsay is. Truth is SHE IS Beautiful, Intelligent, Humble, Optimistic, Persistent, Focused, Genuine, and Reliable. This journey is just teaching me to see these things, and I’m going to enjoy the ride!
Falling Deeper, Beautifully Beyond
“Hello, This is [Valencia]….”
Being beautiful is a s choice. Just like I wake up everyday choosing to be happy, positive and kind to others. I choose to be beautiful as well…
As a young girl I struggled to understand the concept of beauty and spent many many years comparing myself to others. My hair was always a sore spot for me. [You know us black women and our hair]. But we have evolved so much and chose to love and nurture our hair. And boy, did we change the game.
Today, I choose to do the work and find the beauty beyond the physical body. I learned to nurture and feed my mind with images, words, feelings and idea that reflect the beauty I know I possess. Now I can proudly say my natural self is my best self. My confidence gleams through my speech, my movements, my smile, just everything of me. Becoming a Woman has nothing to do with age, but everything to do with choosing to grow, heal, finding the beauty within and exuding with strong feminine energy.
I will always choose to be the beautiful black woman I know I am and meant to become. Everyday I will fall deeper in love with who she is…!