This was when my project began to shift as I moved from a focus on alienation from mental health and the disconnect it creates from reality to exploring the body, body image and growing up. 

 

I chose to shoot most of these images naked as I wanted to be completely vulnerable in front of the camera. Many of my shoots act as a form of acceptance for myself and the ways in which I have changed. I chose to show myself as vulnerable by folding over to protect myself. I then showed myself stretched to show the strength my back holds as although i am older and now have the body of a woman, it is a strong body. 

 

This contrast to the images earlier in the shoot where I am striving to look how I used to, which is thinner. I hold a cigarette (appetite suppressant) and pose in a way to make my arms look slimmer. When I take photos like this , I am creating an unrealistic body expectation for myself to live up to and am confirming that looking thinner is more beautiful.