Life

This Photo Series About Body Image Is Beautiful

by Catie Keck

Body image campaigns are a dime a dozen in recent years as companies attempt to monetize our society’s changing views of the female body. Photo series, by contrast, are an awesome way to spark a dialogue about our bodies, and “We.Women” by Lithuanian photographer Neringa Rekašiūtė is an excellent example of how photography can encourage female empowerment. The project worked with 12 women who discussed matters of body image and allowed themselves to be photographed while assessing themselves in a mirror. The results are honest and engaging.

Joined by TV hostess Beata Tiškevič and communications specialist Modesta Kairytė, Rekašiūtė launched the project as a protest against the unrealistic body standards experienced by women internationally, and seeks to “inspire women to accept and love their bodies as they are: with all their inner and outer scars,” the team writes about the photo series. Using Facebook to reach out, Beata invited women to share their stories of body shaming, eating disorders, self harm, and depression they’ve felt as a result of unrealistic and often impossible body types imposed by mass media and advertising. Neringa says the project, which took place in October, helped all involved unveil “deep scars in our society.”

"It was a healing experience for all the participants and so inspiring for us all,” Neringa said of the project. “We still keep in touch, help and advise one another, and we feel very bonded and strong." View some of the powerful images below.

Images: Neringa Rekašiūtė/Behance (8)