Lately I have been venturing more into shooting an art style that I have avoided for years: nude.
Growing up in a very conservative religion, the term “modesty” was strongly ingrained in my brain. Modesty in that religion entailed covering your body with clothing in order to avoid sexually tempting, or attracting a man. Everybody followed rules to cover their shoulders, wear pants that hid the majority of their thighs, and for women, their breasts and midriffs were not to be seen. I lived according to this standard for over 20 years, and after finally leaving this faith, I have come to embrace an entirely new philosophy about us, and our bodies.
It has taken years of questioning, re-discovering and understanding my own body and how I feel about it to get here today, and boy am I glad to share with you how i feel about… yes, the body. The body, once so shameful to show, now no more.
It is these very lessons I learned about humans and their bodies that have led me to delve into shooting people in their honest, raw, natural form. Here are my thoughts about the body au naturale from the lens of appreciation, grace, respect, and safety.
Your body holds you. It contains you. It works quietly to support you.
In return, I believe that the body appreciates the consistent care you give it too. After all, it is a part of you. Your body is not a sinful piece of flesh - it is not solely temptation to man. I’d like to believe that we have the privilege to choose who touches it, who gets to hold it, who gets to embrace all that the body stands for. Your body holds your dreams, your thoughts, your fears. It is the instrument through which you can laugh and smile today and tomorrow. Your body is free to be and should not feel ashamed to be seen and appreciated for what it is or how it looks.
In a sex-concentrated society, I’d like to shed light on a countering viewpoint. Yes, bodies can express sexual energy, and that is fire-y and spicy, yes. Thus said, I beckon that we first and foremost appreciate the body and its wonderful sensuality. The softness of the inner palm, the toughness of a collarbone, the shift in color shown on the shoulder as dawn arrives. The beauty of the body, and what it means to be walking on this planet is what motivates me to photograph people in their nude form.
I understand that exposing parts of yourself, your body that often feels safe while hidden with attire can come with a lot of fear. Conversation is extremely important when allowing yourself the opportunity to be seen. If you are interested in a portrait session to be photographed nude do reach out to me via e-mail. If there is one lesson I have learned about fear throughout my thirty years of existence, it is that most of the time fear exists because there is something wonderful ahead of you.
The role of the photographer is to create safe space for openness and vulnerability. It is an opportunity to create a sanctuary for somebody to say, “This is me” and capture the essence of that person. I am looking forward to having wonderful sessions with you in the near future.
Model: Josette Penzel
Shot on: Portra 800 35mm & 120mm.
Studio: Brooklyn, New York.
Cheers,
Asuka Visions
