06/09/2024
I like to say that I was raised by 3 men.
One father, and two mothers (one step-mother). One biological man, and two aspiring to be men, which meant - for my parents’ generation - being visible and credible.
As a child, I was confused. I longed to lean into my blonde wavy hair, to wear bright iridescent colors, and prance around pretending to be a belly dancer, charming the masses. But I also longed to be seen as strong and powerful, to change the world, and be highly respected for my cutting-edge opinions.
I learned that you can’t have both.
You can’t simultaneously be soft spoken, like pink, be as charming as a mermaid, AND have innovative ideas, and a cunning wit.
At least that wasn’t how I understood the world at the time.
There is this new understanding of feminism today, and it’s defined as having a choice. Yes, please and thank you. This has been liberating for most of us.
If you want to be a stay at home mom, or wear the hijab, that doesn’t make you an anti-feminist.
Still... I wonder, why do we need to choose in the first place? In my profile picture I am acutely aware that the pink background and my long blonde hair say « princess » but I also have the short cut on the other side and a big black camera that says « I’m going to take over the floor for a moment here ».
I am more than a stereotype, or a choice. I can be both, I can be either, and you can too.
I create images of women in their power, without leaning into the stereotypical masculine energy. I capture the feminine without leaning into the stereotypical feminine. And sometimes we lean into both simultaneously ;)
I want you to lean into your personality, your grit, and the mark you want to leave in this world... so that I can redefine visually all the ways women lean into their power.
How were you raised? What were you told, versus shown?
