I am
“I just really began to see how I don’t need makeup to be beautiful” J. N.
The series ‘I AM’ aims to investigate female issues such as body image and insecurities and seeks to redefine beauty. Working with women who have been asked to pose in front of the camera with no make-up and in their natural state, the project proved challenging for some of the participants, who said they felt vulnerable and ‘naked’. "One woman just couldn’t face the camera completely make-up free and wore mascara and foundation, maintaining a ‘natural’ look … but was brave enough to remove it when asked".
This experience enabled them to achieve a feeling of empowerment once the shot was taken. One of the subjects affirmed: “I really began to see how I don’t need makeup to be beautiful, to be myself”.