Taking Back the Lens
For most of my life, I felt like I was being watched — but not really seen. People stared, judged, whispered. My body, especially with its rare feature, was often turned into something strange or exotic. But when I picked up the camera and turned it on myself, everything changed.
I became the one in control of the gaze. I chose how to frame myself, how to move, how to be. It wasn’t about hiding anymore. It was about showing — truthfully, artfully, and powerfully.
Creating Space for Healing
Each self-portrait became a tiny act of rebellion. With every click, I created space where my body wasn’t a subject of mockery or curiosity — it was a masterpiece. It didn’t matter if I was smiling, fierce, vulnerable, or bare. I was creating a version of myself that was finally whole.
This wasn’t just about photos. It was about healing the version of me that used to cry in fitting rooms. The girl who wore two sports bras just to feel normal. The young woman who thought love meant hiding her truth. I see her now — and I show her off with pride.
The Power of Self Representation
No one can tell your story like you can. That’s what photography taught me. I don’t need approval from the industry or filters from an app. I just need my light, my angles, and my truth.
Self-photography isn’t just a hobby for me anymore. It’s therapy. It’s art. It’s activism.
More Than a Body
What you see in my photos isn’t just skin or shape. It’s courage. It’s defiance. It’s softness and steel all at once. I photograph myself not because I’m vain, but because I’m learning to love the parts of me I was once told to hide.
I hope every photo helps someone else feel less alone. I hope it opens doors for conversations we’re still scared to have. And I hope it reminds anyone out there with a unique body — you deserve to be seen.
👉 Follow my journey, my lens, and my truth on Instagram @kalyaunpetittrucenplus
