A changing standard of beauty

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So, I'm sure that one of my purposes as a photographer, particularly a portraitist is to help bring about a new standard of beauty. So often we are made to feel ugly, obsolete or less than because of our features, internal and external, sometimes of which we've no control at all. I see people all the time who have been so convinced by life and society that they are tragically flawed and don't belong in society. I was one of those people, but through photography, sociology and the black lives matter movement more recently, I have come to understand the power of self definition, and more importantly self love.



I worked hard on my appearance all for me. How did I want to look? I answered it by researching how to care for eyebrows, cutting down my body fat, and revamping and reevaluating my personal style. Well, everyone is not so motivated and enlightened and that's where my photography comes in.



I should not feel guilty about shooting people of color primarily because the predominant society of the US always likes to undermine our values, but love our contributions and to appropriate them shamelessly. So I, a new photographer with limited resources and visibility should NOT and shall not be made to feel bad because I focus on a demo who might be routinely marginalized or possibly overlooked.



I shall however, endeavor to create opportunities for my own black people, but also be a champion for anyone who has effectively been made to feel like a second class citizens because of a flawed social system which perpetuates and capitalizes on disenfranchisement.



American "morals/values" and standards of beauty.. Among many other things have to change. People need to feel valuable and need to have a positive self image of themselves. If I can see the beauty in someone, anyone can. Grace, courage, strength, wisdom, modesty, elegance. I'll help it all shine through, from the inside out. Currently I live in the Bronx, NY and have been here going on two years after having been living in Washington DC nearly 4. I am a native of rural Dinwiddie, VA, but I never felt at home in the rural south and long story short, DC is not the most oportubw place for a person without a college degree. I want to be a beacon of light and show people that you really can acheive supreme hapibwss like they have songs about. You can live out your dreams, and happiness is a state of mind. I have no doubt on my heart that I'm making the right deceaions because as soon as I vowed to put my passions first and ensure that I am enriching my life, not at the expense of others, all doors swung  open; its just a matter of allowing yourself to love you unconditionally and to be honest with yourself and know that you can, and sometimes things really are just that simple.