ATTN TUMBLR. Do NOT Use My Photographs to Make You Or Anyone Else Feel Bad About Yourselves/Your Bodies.
that is NOT why i do this.
it is such a complicated issue with tentacles spanning the culture at large and the deeply personal and everywhere in between, and i have to stop and consider my place in it all.
i cannot begin to delve the approximately one million reasons why people develop problematic body issues, but i would sooner sell my cameras than consciously contibute to it in that way. and yet, i can’t escape the suspicion, the unpleasant knowledge, that there ARE people looking at the pictures i’ve taken, looking at images of my friends, and jumping to unhealthy conclusions.
i have had too many friends and dearly loved ones who have dealt with too many issues for this not to bother and upset me.
maybe this is not the best place to discuss this. i don’t know.
all i know is, you are beautiful. beautiful on your own terms. do not let anyone tell you otherwise. do not let me, or anyone else you see on tumblr or on a magazine stand, contribute to feelings of inadequacy. do not let some editor, photographer, publisher, designer or celebrity dictate what is acceptable and what is not. do not let your friends, family members, classmates, bullies or peers either.
i don’t expect anyone to change their mind about their body after reading this, but i just want to get this out there and maybe start a dialogue with someone who feels impacted by this, on any side. i see so many beautiful people, right here and in person, who can only see faults within and upon themselves. and i know some amount of self-criticism is natural, but i see so many taking it to extremes that break my heart.
stay beautiful. find strength. revel in love for yourself and others who matter. make the most of your presence, make it felt. be kind. dream sweetly.
