Back in August a friend and I started talking about photography. He enjoyed taking nude photos of women and asked if I would mind posing for him sometime (though this is not the point of this blog, I just figure I should share where I found everything). I told him yes, and tried to express the fact that I really am interested. The photos he showed me are all beautiful and tasteful. While I did want to let him know that I liked the idea, I didn't open up about NN or any of the other sites I've posted on, and so I think he was left with the impression that I might be unnerved a bit by the whole idea. So, one night, he sent me a link.
[url]http://www.chadestes.com/2012/04/the-fine-art-of-nakedness/[/url]
That is an article, written by a man who is a nude photographer. But, what is interesting is the face that the man is also a minister. And, in this article he is explaining why he takes the pictures he does. But then, he mentioned a book. And, this is the point of this blog.
The Scar Project.
When I clicked on the link provided, it took me to a page with a picture of a nude woman. She has the most captivating eyes..for a moment I did not realize that she had no clothes on. Once I left her face, my eyes traveled to her dark curly hair, and down the line of her arm, finally reaching her distended belly. And then it hit me that something was missing, something vital and important, and after realizing it I don't know how I could have been so blind. This woman had had a double mastectomy, and in the glaring beauty of the photo I missed it.
This is what The Scar Project is: Nearly 100 women have been photographed so far, women who have traveled from different parts of America and some from different countries. These women are mothers, daughters, sisters, soldiers, teachers and friends. I know that so often we think of scars as ugly horrible things. Things that remind us of our pasts and that warn us for the future. And it is so easy to look around the scar, to see the rest of a persons body and face and to know that they are beautiful despite the scars. But, that is not the case here. These women are not beautiful despite their scars, they are beautiful because of them. Women who are missing whole pieces of themselves, who have had to fight tooth and nail just to be here today. They are each strong and brave, and they are not living despite the problems that have had to face, but because of them. And, these pictures are not in mourning, they are not dedicated to the loss, to the defacement of what would have been a perfect body...They are in rejoice. They are in showcasing the beauty and the strength it takes to carry on, and to be happy.
These pictures, the whole project is absolutely moving, and so I figured I would come share it with you all.
[url]http://www.thescarproject.org/gallery/[/url]
And now, I have run out of steam. As I am sure you all know, it is breast cancer awareness month, and I need to urge all of you to please CHECK YOURSELF. There are so many misconceptions about this disease, that is only affects women, or people over a certain age, but that is just not true! Men are very susceptible, and quite often go far longer without treatment because they think it can not happen to them. And as for age, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in young women ages 15-40, and it will be diagnosed of over 10,000 women under the age of 40 in this year alone. That is some scary shit. So please, PLEASE, do your self exams. Go to the doctor double check everything..if you are scared or don't want to go alone, bring a friend. And, if you need someone to talk to, I'm here. Just don't take the chance.
Finally, to everyone on here that has gone through this, that has been diagnosed with breast cancer or any other form of this horrible disease and has won the fight..I am so very glad that you are here. I only know of a few people on here, one of which is a beautiful lady who is strong enough to show off her scars..and I feel absolutely honored to be able to call her a friend.
Now, as lovely as it is to admit that I am sitting here at nearly 4 in the morning bawling my eyes out, I am going to go to bed. Good night (or morning, depending on when this finds you).