Forget Me Nots Photography <----- click here and we can be friends! :P
The Naked Beauty Project was something I decided to start when my friend, Samantha (as seen gorgeously in a previous post), sent me this photo: *unfortunately I am not sure who the photographer or models are so I cannot direct you to where the photo came from or who to credit for it*
She was saying how cool a shoot like this would be! I agreed! But I didn't want it to be all about the "bad" parts of a person. I wanted us to be able to celebrate the good as well!
Everyone talks behind people's backs. Let's face it. We are never going to like all the decisions other people make. We are never going to say "I want my life to be exactly like that person's!", because we all have our own opinions and we all like different things. No one is perfect. Period. We are humans, we make mistakes, we do things we don't mean to do. But I feel like we don't really realize all the "bad things" we say and do that we think don't affect anyone, yet they do.
I'm just as guilty of this as the next person. I really try to be the best person I can be every day, but some days all you wanna say is "Fuck it all!!!" Sometimes someone does something that makes us so mad we curse them under our breath and wish the next time they go the a movie in the theater they will have to sit next to someone who talks during the entire movie. We either learn to get past these things, forgive and forget, or we learn to keep these people out of our lives. Sometimes two people really just don't mesh, and that's OK. The important thing, is to see the good in yourself and do what you can to see the good in others. Everyone has something good about them, and something equally bad. That bad thing could be that they are the talker in the theater, and the good could be that they bought a ticket for the person behind them.
Life is strange like that....
On to the project itself!! I wanted each person to appear naked behind a single piece of poster board. The "nude-ness" of it representing the baring of the soul, the release of writing the words down and seeing them in front of you, the good and the bad. It's all about getting out the bad things that people have said about you, things you've heard about yourself, or insecurities that you have about yourself. It's about facing those things...and then it's about releasing all of that and seeing all the good in yourself! Embracing the physical, emotional and mental amazingness that is YOU!!!! I want everyone to remember that they are unique and brilliant and special and amazing and all those other good things!! However you want to see it...I want you to see the good!
It's crazy to me how difficult it was to think up and write down these words and phrases....I sat there for over an hour staring at my poster board and trying to think of what to write and if I was going to seem conceited if I wrote down certain words or phrases on the good side, or if I was brave enough to admit some of the bad things to myself.
It's amazing how much I think about how people will judge me or what they will think of me. I never realized it much until I did this. The bad things I had a hard time with simply because I realized I'd never really heard specifics of the things people didn't like about me. I know they are there and I know there are people out there that don't like me...but I'd never really heard why. One situation in particular, I heard about a gal who didn't like me and refused to work with me (for a small part time thing I was thinking about helping out with). I found out who she was, looked her up on Facebook (as all us creepers do, haha!) and realized I had no idea who she was. I somehow annoyed, pissed off or hurt someone I don't even know and I don't know how I did it. I was almost tempted to message her and ask her why she didn't like me so I could try to apologize or make up for whatever it was I had done...and then found myself feeling sorry for her for spending even some part of her life "hating" me and I was none the wiser. I still wonder, but it's just not worth it I suppose.
These are the things I'm talking about when I say we hurt people or irritate or upset them without even realizing. It sucks. A lot. I sometimes look back at things I've done (even YEARS ago) and wish I could go back and change them or do something different or take it back. For instance when I was on the Wizards Dance Team and we were about to do team photos. One gal was told she had to wear her hair straight, despite the fact that for every single game she wore her hair curly. It was her, it was how she did her hair, there should have been no reason for her to straighten her hair for the photos. The day of the shoot came and she started curling her hair and was therefore told she couldn't participate in the shoot. She said something along the lines of, "I am either wearing my hair curly, like I always do, or I'm not doing the shoot." And so they told her she couldn't do it and she left...she remained on the team but then none of the photos had her in them. I wish so much I could go back and tell them that if she wasn't going to be in the shoot, then I wasn't going to be either. I get really angry at myself every single time I think about it. Like now...now I'm angry with myself...argh!!!
Anyway...back on track. I want everyone that is willing to participate in this project to join!! There will be more shoots in the future and they will all be announced on my business page on Facebook (link above).
Eventually, I want to turn this project into a book. Anyone that has done the project is allowed to be in the book, but not required! Each person would have to sign a waiver stating they allow their photo to be published in the book. I would love to have everyone have their own page with only their photo and a paragraph to explain their experience with the project or why they chose the words and phrases the wrote or a short explanation of their life experiences or whatever they want! It would have to be approved of course..but that's the future goal for this project!
Now for the details that go into the making of this project if you want to participate!
The requirements:
1) You must appear naked behind the poster board. That's kinda the whole point ;P
2) You must write something on each poster board. Something bad and something good. I don't care how many things you write, but a large part of the project is all about the words on the boards. (the words can only be on the poster board)
3) You can write whatever you want on the poster board. Anything. As long as you are being true to the project.
4) Since this project is about you, you are the only subject allowed in your photos.
5) You must be at least 18 to participate.
6) The photo will be posted to Facebook on my business page. That is another part of this project, not only being brave enough to do it, but being brave enough to let the world know you love yourself!
7) Photos are chosen by the photographer (me)
8) You must watch my business page to see when the next shoot is for the project. Too many people have asked me to specifically invite them and it unfortunately becomes too difficult for me to do so :( I believe when I create the event on my page, it automatically sends it to everyone...but I'm not 100% sure. The best way to stay tuned for when the shoots are is to 'Like' the page and receive updates from there!
9) If you choose to sign up for one of the events you MUST comment on the event so I know for sure you will be attending. Just "joining" the event does not give me the assurance you will show up.
10) Please only sign up if you are absolutely sure (assuming no emergencies or unforeseen circumstances such as a babysitter backing out or getting called into work or other horrible things I would rather not consider) you will make it. Spots per shoot are always limited so we want to make sure the people who will actually be able to attend sign up. There will be multiple shoots so there will be a chance for everyone to join this project!
11) Please respect this project. If you want to do it, take it seriously. This is not meant to be a joke, to be made fun of or to degrade anyone. I have not yet had a problem with this, but would rather not have a problem become of it either.
12) As much as there are some requirements for this shoot, I want you to have fun and be you!!! If you want to wear shoes, jewelry, accessories or anything else, please do! Sometimes I may unfortunately have to put the kabosh on something or another just because it veers away from my original plan for this project too much, but please feel free to ask about something unique you would like to do!!
13) I can't think of any more right now, hahaha! There may be more to come as I am learning more and more what the specifics are as I do more shoots!
Any questions about this project? Please feel free to contact me on my business page!! I am very willing to answer any and all questions and would love for YOU to be a part of it!
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!!
