The Body Positivity Shoot
Body Positivity Photo Shoot | Elizabeth Craig Photography-14
So....holy moly. Let's grab a cup of coffee for this one, ladies. Where shall I begin? I was approached by a fabulous and talented Pittsburgh business owner, Amanda Cowan, owner and operator of AFaye PR and chief señorita at GRLPWRPGH, a female-centric networking and collaborative group that meets monthly. Amanda had this amazing idea to get a group of amazing women together for a fun, empowering and crazy day in my studio, which was alllllll centered around body positivity. And The Body Positivity Shoot was born.
So, each woman thought about what body part they most struggle with and why. And then....bravely stood in front my camera so that I could specifically hone in on that specific body part and show it off to the world. Can we say c.o.u.r.a.g.e.o.u.s??? I mean, really think about this ladies....could you do it? I don't know that I could, truthfully.
And can I say to you, I had the TIME of my life! Each of these ladies were so incredibly powerful in their own way. Each were their own stories in this life and were filled to the brim with so much support and love for one another. And no, they did not even all know each other. There were a few that did, but otherwise, we were a studio of 10 women, most of which met each other on that day, and made a collective decision to fill that space with so much support, acceptance, absolutely no judgment and a shit ton of love and laughs.
I could not have been more excited and honored to have been the photographer that got to be there with each and every one of these ladies. I am so THRILLED to have been a part of this project. And I would like to throw out some giant special THANK YOU's to At Home Beauty, Ciel Cosmetics and Caviar and Curls for all the glamorous hair and makeup styling. You ladies are SO TALENTED!
So, without further ado...
Body Positivity Photo Shoot | Elizabeth Craig Photography-12
Body Positivity Photo Shoot | Elizabeth Craig Photography-11
Autumn. Breasts. "I am a body activist. Growing up I was the girl that got made fun of for having big boobs but now embrace my boobs and my curves." Hair: Caviar and Curls. Makeup: Ciel Cosmetics.
Body Positivity Photo Shoot | Elizabeth Craig Photography-8
Body Positivity Photo Shoot | Elizabeth Craig Photography-7
Kelsey: Legs. "Growing up I was teased and called thunder thighs and it really stuck with me. I've come to have a friendship with my legs. They may be big and have cellulite but they are strong and take me where I need to go." HMUA: At Home Beauty.
Body Positivity Photo Shoot | Elizabeth Craig Photography-2
Body Positivity Photo Shoot | Elizabeth Craig Photography-1
Julianna. Breasts. "I always felt self-conscious about having big breasts but I have really come to love them and accept them and I'm so much more confident of them now." HMUA: At Home Beauty.
Body Positivity Photo Shoot | Elizabeth Craig Photography-3
Body Positivity Photo Shoot-1
Chelsey: Hips and Legs. "I have always been self conscious about my legs and hips. I think they are disproportionate and bow but I have come to terms with the fact that they have gotten me from place to place and have supported me and I try to remember to think of the good things about them." Hair: Caviar and Curls. Makeup: Ciel Cosmetics.
Body Positivity Photo Shoot | Elizabeth Craig Photography-10
Body Positivity Photo Shoot | Elizabeth Craig Photography-9
Mallory: Stomach. "I used to be very large and have lost weight and now my stomach is a bit deflated. I love my body, it gets me strong and gets me through my workouts. My belly is what it is but I still love it." Hair: Caviar and Curls. Makeup: Ciel Cosmetics.
Body Positivity Photo Shoot | Elizabeth Craig Photography-6
Body Positivity Photo Shoot | Elizabeth Craig Photography-5
Amanda: Stretch marks on stomach and thighs. "When I got pregnant and through my pregnancy, my body stretched in places and ways I didn't even know were possible. After having my daughter, Willow (now almost 3), I was left with incredibly visible and intense stretchmarks, particularly on my stomach, hips and thighs. My times of sporting 2 piece string bikinis were long gone, and though I'm happy with the shape I've been able to get back in, the scars and stretchmarks still remain. I've been self-conscious of these marks ever since. I've had to re-center and remind myself how I got these, and why I still have them. They show the beautiful transition my body went through, and I now have my little Willow to show for these marks. For that, I am learning day-to-day to accept that these are apart of me, and I am learning to love my tiger stripes. They make me who I am today." Hair: Caviar and Curls. Makeup: Ciel Cosmetics.
Body Positivity Photo Shoot | Elizabeth Craig Photography-13
You ladies are my new heroes! Here's to fat thighs, droopy boobs, more stretch marks than we can count and saggy tummies. May they continue to encourage self-love, empowerment and, of course, one hell of a #giveszerofucks attitude!