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in her own skin

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Beauty Changes

“I’m looking at [the images from our photo session]… I wish I could lay on myself and take a nap. I look squishy plump and soft, and I just want to go to sleep on my belly.“

Our body is a vessel that carries us through life, and there is something spectacular about being able to look at ourselves and enjoy the journey we’ve been on, and the vessel that got us here. To see in our physical, a revelation of our circumstances, our habits, and our experiences.

There is something beautiful about relaxing in who we are. Accepting ourselves. Not meaning that we don’t need to make changes. Just meaning we are not overly harsh with ourselves, understanding that everyday we are who we are. We are enough today, and by how we choose to use today, we can be even better tomorrow.
And truthfully, there are some ways we won’t necessarily be “better” tomorrow. Just different.
But hopefully, that reminds us that there are more things to focus on than just our physical appearance.


When I stand naked in the mirror, and allow myself to see myself clearly, I am exposed. I am reminded of who I am. I am reminded that there are things I can control, and things I cannot.
They say beauty “fades”. I disagree.
I think beauty just “changes”.

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Body Of Clay f/Kendy

I love photographing nudity as an extension of nature!
Reading some elementary school info about why dirt is so important (and beautiful) took me back to my shoot with Kendy.

“Dirt, or soil, is a mix of eroded rock, mineral nutrients, rotting organic matter, water, air and lots and lots of small living organisms.

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Looking closely at dirt, not all dirt is the same. If you cut down into the soil, you would see many layers. 

The topsoil layer is made up of rotting organic matter from the litter layer and minerals from rocks that are weathering and breaking down over time into little bits. The rotting organic matter helps the soil hold water so it is good for growing plants. In turn, growing plant roots anchor the topsoil and keep it from being blown and washed away by weather.

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The top two layers are very important to life on Earth. They are full of living things like earthworms, insects, fungi and bacteria. Every inch of soil is full of living things. One scoop of soil can have millions of bacteria and other helpful microorganisms that are busy decomposing leaf litter into usable nutrients. The nutrients dissolve in the water in the soil and the trees and plants suck them up into their roots and use them to grow.

The most fertile soil is dark and crumbly and looks a lot like a rich chocolate cake.

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Dirt is the very base of life on Earth because it has most of the important nutrients in which plants need to grow. Those plants in turn feed animals and us. So really, the nutrients in the soil will someday end up in you!

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CHD:WCK! X HOLLIS AUSTIN 2018

(NSFW)
I’ve been sitting on this way too long!

HOLLIS AUSTIN is an amazing lettering artist and sign painter, currently based in New Orleans, LA. Back in late 2018, when we were studio mates, Hollis decided to make some fun, affordable, wearable art for those who would be passing by her studio during an event. She hand-painted a bunch of fun phrase necklaces, and when I saw them, I just knew I had to photograph them draped ALL over a voluptuous nude figure.

Below is the result. I hope you enjoy!

Check out more of Hollis’ work at www.austinlettering.com

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Her Name Means "LOVE".

“Cool…. Just like her… syncopated cacophony. Powerful, bold, smooth, pushing boundaries, beauty!” - Karen Young

“Cool…. Just like her… syncopated cacophony. Powerful, bold, smooth, pushing boundaries, beauty!”
- Karen Young

IFE - While capturing the beauty of this bold and radiant young woman, I asked a few questions about her passion for dance.

Why is dance magical?
Dance is magical because it transcends the physicality of the dancer. To see someone dance is to experience their truths, histories, identities, epistemology. It is raw, organic and unforgiving.

What impact do you want to have on the dance community?
I want to provide access and professional opportunities to/within the arts, especially for black and brown bodies.

Who is your favorite famous dancer?
Currently, my favorite choreographers are Parris Goebel and Chris Gayle.

Who is your favorite local dancer?
Locally, my favorite is LeDarius Parker (Greensboro).

What Opportunities have come with being a full-figured dancer?
Opportunities that have been pre-professional work, attending the inaugural MFA Dance Program at Duke University, running my own company that travels and performs showcasing physical inclusivity in dance, teaching - getting to guide people to a fuller version of self.

What myths would you like to dispel for full-figured dancers?
Plus-size/full-figured women are able to do whatever the fuck they want to do! Intentionally. Confidently. And without need of approval.

See more of Ife here.

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Celebrating Growth (NSFW)

Quiet as it's often kept, grown human women naturally grow hair in abundance on places that are not their head. They seem capable of deciding whether to shave it or leave it be. How we can decide that's NOT feminine, I'm not sure.
Anyhoo, I'll just be over here doing what I usually do... using my lens to celebrate some #UnashamedGrownWomanShit.  

 

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Free to Be (pt. i)

I adore when Natasha and I get a chance to connect. 

My best work happens when the person I am photographing loves my work, and doesn't judge themselves for being a part of the process. When Natasha and I connect, all we know is that our goal is make dope images! She's not worried about how she looks. It's my job to make sure I capture her beautifully. We're not worried about peoples' judgment of what we create. That's none of our business. 

Today I asked her to bring a couple of outfits that I could shoot her wearing - and barely wearing. We rode around for a bit, looking for a fresh location, and once we found something, we got to work. I tell her what I have in mind. She tells me the options and suggests what she thinks might work. We Go! Because she trusts my work, neither of us have to be insecure about the strange direction I have to give to get what I see in my head. She knows all I want to do is make something amazing that we can share and be proud of.

This is a bit of what we did this July 4th. 

 

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A Place To Be Free...

There is something about being able to create images that feel so free. I love that we didn't have to leave the city to make create this experience. Celebrating the beauty of brown skin. It's natural to me. The representation of brown beauty is underwhelming... I capture the beauty I wish others to appreciate.

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unapologetically beautiful...

i won't apologize for my beauty. i am magical. i like to wear wigs, but not right now. i like makeup, but not right now. i am intelligent. i am fascinating and alluring. i don't need to dress it up. 

i love myself. i love my ability to make decisions. I love to push myself beyond my comfort zone. I know not everyone understands all of my decisions. it's cool. i don't always understand theirs. i won't apologize. maybe my choices will inspire you. i hope my choices make you value your own.

choose to enjoy life. choose to learn. choose to challenge yourself. choose to challenge others. choose to be safe.

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i will choose to look you in your eye. i refuse to be ashamed of myself. in this moment, i choose to be bare. i choose to be vulnerable. i won't leave this to the imagination. i don't need you to be imagining this.  imagine me wearing makeup. imagine what books i'm reading. imagine what type of music i like. imagine how you might bring a smile to my face today. imagine how you can inspire me. imagine how you can make our world a more beautiful place.

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