Updates Soon...

Sorry for the dry spell on my blog, I have gotten tangled up in the horrid web of exam month, but I promise, there will be more thought-provoking posts and images soon!

Remember to always Love the Pudge,

M

"It's a Movement"

I recieved a note from one of my models today which gave me the chills. I asked her if she would not mind it being published to my blog, and she was more than happy to share this with the world. I won't explain what is written because I believe it is quite beautifully stated itself:

"I wanted to let you know how my story continued after your show's debut on campus.

First, my bracelet is still on my wrist. A few people asked me if it was some sort of green Kabbalah bracelet, but were starstruck when I explained to them it was for participation in a new movement to create personal dedication to loving the body God gave you, just as it is, right now.

Then a strange thing happened.

For seven years, I have been on-again off-again trying to lose weight. Being photographed by you was another moment to notice deeply how little my body felt in alignment with my spirit. But somehow, without my really trying or doing a thing, since your show, I have begun to shed body-baggage.

In yoga they say that emotional baggage carries weight on the body just as it does on the mind. But somehow after opening myself up to the public through your artwork, and then afterwards remembering the messages of mindful eating and listening to the inner voice of "I'm full" and not the emotional voice of "I'm eating my feelings," the kilos started dropping. Now a few weeks later, many friends have commented that I look healthier and literally, enlightened. For sure I have been spending more time with female friends and cooking healthy, rice-and-vegetable based meals. But it is without effort, it is simply eating what I need, and stopping when I am full.

Thank you for helping me to realize slowly, and with healthful habits, my seven year dream to have a body and soul that match."

#18

Nose.

Let's make a molehill into a mountainrange.

I would like to continue this project farther than the 17 "pioneer body models" I have already photographed. I want to turn heads with this project much more than I already have, but I need your help!

If you would like to take part in my campaign please email me or comment here with your details: Mojalvo26@gmail.com

I'm looking forward to making this a worldwide initiative!

Thanks for all of your continuous support.

#17

The last of the 17 is someone I have a lot of respect for. After we photographed my body, she literally thought aloud and decided, "Why the hell not?" She told me that her mom made her self conscious of her feet so we decided to do them. This girl is incredibly talented and will definitely touch many people's lives. I wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

#16

After photoshoot number 15, I felt it more than necessary to get in front of the lens myself. The reasons for this were firstly to avoid hypocracy, and secondly, experience the "catharsis" my volunteers told me they felt from participating in my project. My good friend who also created the Love the Pudge documentary with me offered to photograph the session.

It wasn't until I was in front of the camera's lens that I fully understood what had been expressed to me prior. For the duration of the shoot, the focus was entirely on the nudging insecurities that usually only live in my thoughts. These inhibitions I traditionally hide behind a smile were now being displayed in front of a white curtain and a blinding light. As I posed exposing my "pouchy" stomach and "fatty" upper arms, a feeling of resentment faded into pure freedom. I tucked my tank top as much as I could, revealing everything that I routinely work to hide on a daily basis.

When we reviewed the pictures, my insecurities had not been magically obliterated, nor was I left with an extreme confidence-boost, however, what it did give me was a sense of empowerment. I was enlightened because for once, I was interpreting my body not as the owner, but from a fresh, outside perspective.

#15

Feet.

#14

Scar [see remark on birthmarks #12].

This model came ready with research. Before we even started shooting, she pulled out her computer and insisted on showing me her new virtual secret identity. After hearing news of her cousin's struggle with anorexia, she began to investigate the world of anorexia on the web. To her surprise, she discovered a whole new dimension to the world of Facebook--pseudo profile pages and groups supporting anorexic habits are growing like a fungus in this virtual setting. She made herself a pseudo character to interact with the individuals who lived on these pages. The things she has learned about this disorder are frightening--and she is now trying to help and understand the (mostly) young girls who give eachother this bizarre support.

#13

Swirl of the facial hair.

#12

I think birthmarks are a daily reminder of our individuality; a celebration of our unique beauty.

#11

This was a moving shoot for me. A very close friend of mine, she volunteered to take part in my campaign. She opted to photograph the moles that freckle her back. A stylishly "conservative" dresser, she wears a "silver screen chic" look including oversized silk blouses and retro full bathing suits. This was the first shoot where my model had to be topless, and although we are friends, the feeling of discomfort for her was permeable. The room was silent as she stood, facing the wall, crossing her arms over her button down to cover her front half. The only noise was that of the camera's shutter. I got the shot, and she slipped back on her shirt. A few days later, we spoke about the photoshoot and she confided in me the hurdle she had to overcome to participate in my campaign by telling me a personal struggle from her childhood. I am very proud of her.

#10

I had asked this individual if he would be interested in participating in my campaign. I really yearned to "level the playing field" by incorporating both males and females in my campaign. He suggested that I photograph his calves. I was taken aback. What could be wrong with calves? "They're too small".

A natural comedian, my "body model" made the photoshoot hilarious. Again, my normal studio was occupied, so we moved to the television studio classroom--which I clean forgot has a huge observation window in it. Halfway through the shoot, my volunteer standing on a barrel-like prop in his boxers on relevé making jokes at nearly everything we did, and myself crouched below photographing his bare legs, I noticed a figure out the corner of my eye. I turned to see one of my former teachers desperately trying to piece together what was happening before his eyes.

#9

Tummy.

#8

Love Handles. Arms.

#7

Back.

#6

Arms.

#5

A neck is an interesting part of the body. It supports your head, the part of us that controls everything that we do, what we say and how we move. It is overlooked by most, but interestingly enough, this individual scrutinized the supporting part of her body. This photosession was the first of the 17 pioneer-shots in which the onlookers could rarely deciepher an insecurity.