A Photo Journal: Karly

At the beginning of 2022 Karly had reached out to me asking if we could work together on a very personal project. She was planning on undergoing surgery to reduce the size of her breasts and wanted to document her journey. At the time she reached out we had no idea what this might look like but I was honored that she trusted me with such an intimate story and I knew we would end up with a beautiful photographic journal.

I think most of us know the struggling of not always feeling confident in our bodies. It’s not always an easy journey to self-love. I’m sure we all experience days when we feel our absolute best. And then there are times when we don’t like what we’re seeing in the mirror.

Karly had reached a point in her life where she was ready for change, ready to be wholly and fully in love with herself and her body again. And this is where our journal begins.

Part 1 – May 16, 2022

We met in May for the first time, just a few weeks before her surgery. We had decided to shoot the entire series in front of a white backdrop to put the focus all on her. At the beginning of our session I asked Karly to write a letter to herself that she would be able to read the day of her surgery. A love note from her current self to her brave future self. Reflecting on what her journey has been like up until this point and sharing her hopes and dreams for what’s to come.

And then it was time to step in front of the big white backdrop. I asked Karly to share her experiences with me as I sat back and watched Karly’s emotions unfold. We ended our first session with a paint experiment. I had brought a bag full of paint and Karly had picked out the colors that spoke to her at this present moment. I told her we would play around with paint again during our third and final session. So continue reading to see how her emotions and body paintings changed throughout the next months.

Part 2 – June 8, 2022

A few weeks after her breast reduction surgery we met again. As soon as I saw her I could immediately tell that something big had changed. Her whole energy had changed. It all felt lighter and happier. And as you can see, she couldn’t stop smiling.

Part 3 – September 12, 2022

A good three months after capturing part 2 we met one last time. Everything was healed up pretty nicely and Karly.. oh my gosh, what a transformation! Her new found appreciation and love for her body was radiating with pure joy. She had found herself again and life had forever changed for her.

My dear, beautiful Karly. Thank you for being brave and so trusting to bring me on this journey with you. You’re a true inspiration and I can’t wait to see what else you’re going to accomplish in your life.

With all my love,

Nicole