We all have things we dislike about our bodies.
But do we have a favorite thing, something we like?
The following photos are artifacts of long discussions with each participant about body image as seen from their unique, personal experiences comparing themselves to false, idealized standards.
Each of these people have decided to be proud of their favorite things rather than wallowing in the glorification of being victims of the bodies we've been given.
Ari
I like my collar bones. When an outfit highlights my neck/shoulders I feel most confident, feminine and beautiful. The experience of letting myself appear confident about my body when really, I felt vulnerable was a difficult process. Seeing the end result of the photographs that showcased a part of my body taught me that it's okay to celebrate myself.
Darrin
Darrin's back is an artifact of his work growing up on the farm, all the physically demanding jobs he's had since, and being a father to his two young boys. He's proud of this symbol of dedication and loving labor in his life.
We contain more than just flesh and blood in our bodies. They move us through this life, giving us memories and trapping stories within them.
Peter
Peter's favorite thing is his crow's feet. It's not a sign of aging, but a sign of a laughter-filled life.
Dan
Dan's eyes are a dark olive green, which is commonly mistaken as brown. He loves this subtle feature that many people miss, for when they notice he knows they are truly seeing.
Lauren
Favorite things about ourselves sometimes span outside the confines of the body itself. Sometimes it's the way they move. Lauren's favorite quality is how her hands delicately move through space while she's speaking without paying much attention to the way she's moving.
Nikki
Nikki's favorite things are unconventional, things she's learned to love with time.
Due to her struggles with various medical issues over the years she has lost her teeth, had multiple surgeries and acquired scars and dentures.
Her ability to stand in front of me, a complete stranger, and courageously allow me to document some of her biggest insecurities was astounding. I set out to change people, my subjects, but I'm quickly learning this project is changing me more than I'd ever imagined.
Note: Nikki and I met for coffee to discuss her interest in the project and body image issues from a generational view. We talked of things I never thought of before, giving me another perspective on this project.
I was only considering my generation's struggles within the context of the things I grew up with and the way I view the world today. When you consider body image issues from a different culture or time, you start to see just how subjective it all is.
Alxndr
Alxndr has a nice nose. He doesn't care if there isn't a compelling story behind it. It has a great shape. That's all that matters.
He also has three gradient moles on his finger. Being a designer himself, this is somewhat of an inherent mark of who he was meant to be.
Adam
Our skin has the ability to adapt to the needs of its uses, creating callouses in areas used the most. These callouses can come and go. When present they serve as a memory to where they've been and what they could be capable of.
Just as easily as they appear, the body heals itself and moves on, clearing the slate for another set of adventure.
Adam shared this concept about his hands with me, unsure whether this ability to adapt is something he admires within himself or something he wants to change. I don't have anything profound to say yet but the human body is crazy cool and yours functions differently than anyone else's. Why then, do we think we can compare?
(His ears and brow ridge are family traits Adam also considers some of his favorite things.)
