I never thought

I never thought this day could come.

I never thought of doing something like this. I look back for a few minutes and remember when I was 17 and showing my body made me very embarrassed. The truth is I always loved myself, I always came across as confident, but I knew I wasn’t the typical thin girl: I had, and have, cellulite on my legs and I always tried to hide it with wider or longer pants. It was an issue and I was very self-critical. Over time I started dating boys, and one of them would tell me “you’re so sexy” and I didn’t understand the compliment, I just laughed and tried to believe it. It was also the time when I took on my great passion, dance, which helped me strengthen my self-esteem by seeing that there were women just like me, in tights and ballet leotards that showed the whole figure. I FELT SO COMFORTABLE AND RELIEVED that I simply gave myself over to it.

Art led me to know myself and, as a consequence, to meet the two people who made this beautiful photo session possible.

When I met Anita she was dancing and I went up to dance with her; in that moment I knew she was part of my atmosphere. Another free soul to have a good time with. On the other hand, the idleness of life led me to see the art of Pralad, a phenomenal photographer who captures the feminine essence, creating something as delicate and sensitive as a woman’s body in its very naturalness. I was so amazed by that magic that I wanted to be part of the adventure too.

This opportunity came up, and although taking off my clothes in another kind of context would have embarrassed me, it is by far the reflection of my greatest love: being able to see and accept myself just as I am, with my little rolls, my small breasts, my cellulite and my short hair.

Thank you to these two free souls for joining me in this opportunity without hesitating. I will never forget this moment. I gave myself over again. Today I believe in myself again. Thank you so much.

KARINA @interestelaris

This has been perfect. If you read to the end you’ll see how the paths to my happiness are drawn, a happiness shared during this adventure.

My childhood memories begin in front of the mirror… I could dance for hours and look at myself… I’m 23 and it’s part of my daily routine, the mirror and me.

I can tell you that my chest swells when I’m in front of the mirror, ever since I heard my father say… “there’s nothing more beautiful and sexy than a woman who is sure of herself.”

We were born in November and we met in November…. body expression brought us together. We are rhythm wherever we go; we attract what we are, and we are.… we are true to our guts, we are true to the rhythm of life, we are true to what is born from the heart even when it escapes logic… we are what we want to be.

I love drying leaves and flowers,… my favorite season, as you can imagine, is autumn… the trees fill with dry leaves, and what takes me weeks to see… I can see everywhere if I walk down the street… and there I was, immersed in that paradise… my paradise, a paradise shared with wow, incredible people, so I didn’t think twice about wanting to be in front of his lens hugging my friend. The cold was there and this time there was no mirror; we gave ourselves over to the feeling, to the emotion of a whole lifetime: being ourselves!

I mean….. can you imagine it for a moment?

It was perfect…. Pralad, Karina, Autumn and me.

I want to be a little old lady and mischievously show this wonderful work to my grandchildren and be able to say “I was young once, just like you….enjoy life like I did”

ANITA @ensilenciop