As photographers, we are constantly interacting with, observing and portraying the beauty in people. During this process, we pay attention to people’s personalities and quirks - the peculiar behavioral habits that make them unique. We especially notice people’s reactions to their photographs and pick up on the way they want to be perceived; indicating that feel they have to look a certain type of way by societal standards.
#theIMPERFECTproject explores the relationship between candid portraits and self-confidence. We interviewed each model about what makes them feel insecure and how these that affects their daily lives, as well as their advice on embracing and conquering these insecurities. We photographed our models with no makeup, natural hair and basic clothing – breaking down all material barriers we tend to hide behind. Our goal was to captured each model's experiences, internal struggle and empowerment.
We shot this series of portraits in an effort to build confidence and help people find beauty within themselves, regardless of their so-called ‘imperfections’, which make us human. It seems easy to appreciate these attributes in others but difficult to find this beauty within ourselves. We are insecure because we are trying to maintain a reputation or false image of perfection. But the idea of perfection cannot be attained. The sooner we realize this, the sooner we can accept and empower our own unique identities, allowing us to attain self-love. If we can’t love and respect ourselves, how will we love and respect each other?
We are truly inspired by each and every one of these stories. They showcase great human depth, and vulnerability. We wanted to create a safe space to showcase the commonality in the fruitless pursuit of perfection. We hope that you can relate to these images and that they open the door to self-reflection and acceptance. Embrace yourself and your individuality. In our eyes, you are perfect the way you are.
Check out Hive Society’s article about this project.
“The Clam. I’m most insecure about being vulnerable around the ones I love. These are the people that are capable of cutting you the deepest. ... I think everyone’s experienced betrayal in some sort of way. I’ve experienced betrayal and distrust, but those are the events in life that teach you the best lessons and make you stronger. ... Being hesitant to be vulnerable in relationships doesn’t mean that you’re imperfect. Sometimes insecurities are there to act as a seed. You’re supposed to grow from them. You’re supposed to water them with life." -Sandra
"Big Goofy-Ass Grin. I physically used to be insecure about the gap in teeth. You see in magazines this idea of beauty and you realize ‘Hey, I don’t look like that.’ It’s funny because as I’ve gotten older, that’s one of the things people notice. People tell me ‘Oh, you have a beautiful smile’. And that’s part of who I am now. ... Insecurity stems from this feeling of not being good enough. That’s at the core of what everyone experiences. Sometimes I wonder if there is something inside of me telling me that I’m not good enough and is that why I do certain things... or is my motivation from a place of purity where I want to become better because I know i can have a better quality of life? The fear, the insecurity: it’s all an illusion. It prevents us from actually becoming who we are, our best self. If you live in this illusion, then you can’t progress." -Dishon
“Alien. When people used ask me where I’m from it was such an uncomfortable question for me. It is such a simple question, but I’d get emotional.” Ambika was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and has lived in: Houston, Mayaro and Port of Spain (both in Trinidad), Aberdeen (Scotland),Waco, Texas and New York. Her father was born and raised in Kanpur, India while her mother, who’s family has roots in Punjab in India, was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and raised in London, where her extended family resides. Ambika identifies herself as a Third Culture Kid (TCK). “I am always worried about being too weird. Growing up I was constantly moving around, so I was used to being the new kid and I adapted to that pretty well. I was able to connect with different people from around the world - different backgrounds, religions and ideals - which made me the open-minded person that I am today. But, when I moved back to the States for high school, it was hard for me to figure out where I fit in. ... I think it it’s important for me to find a balance between being myself and doing things to please the people I love, like my family. ... Even if you feel like you are weird, the odd one out, talk differently or have different views on a subject, you should still be yourself. The people I admire are the people who put themselves out there and are unapologetic about who they are. When you love yourself, that is when other people see the light in you." -Ambika
"Baggage. The dark circles under my eyes is what I am most insecure about. My buddies say it doesn’t look bad, but to me it is the one thing I notice when I look in the mirror. It has been a part of me my whole life and I have tried any and everything to get rid of them: from creams to even bleaching my skin. Nothing works. I have gone through a lot of makeup in the process of trying to cover it up, but it is always back to square one. I have even thought about getting surgery, blepharoplasty, to get rid of it. Family members ask me why I’m so tired when I am wide awake. ... It didn’t really start bothering me until people started pointing it out. I am absolutely still insecure about it and I am still looking into ways to get rid of it, but now i am doing it for me and not for anyone else." -MOHINI
"Still Breathing. Anxiety feels like you are drowning. You can’t breathe normally. You’re hyperventilating. You feel yourself slipping into the panic attack and you’re fighting so hard to come out of it; the harder you fight, the worse it gets. You get so deep in your thoughts that you can’t find your way out. You become so consumed with so much of what you are worried about and it’s like you can’t pull yourself out of it. ... When I really started opening up to certain people, doing research and reading more [about it], I learned that some of the most successful people dealt with anxiety. All of this, along with working out consistently, really helped me get over my panic attacks.” -KAYLA
"Empower full-figured Woman. An insecurity is something that has a hold on you and limits you. I am insecure about my thighs. I feel like it’s limited me from a very young age. I am definitely shaped differently from other women in my family. I saw other young girls who had a body that I didn’t. I couldn’t borrow my friends’ clothes. My mom wanted me to be a girly girl, but I just wasn’t that girl. I am a tomboy and I was never comfortable putting on a dress or makeup, especially because of my shape, but I learned to embrace it now. A lot of times I don’t want to wear certain things because they hug too tight to my thighs, but my husband has helped me to embrace it. Don’t care what people say. When we’re children we’re invincible and we believe that. Don’t doubt yourself now. If you allow negative thoughts to cloud your judgement, you’re going to see that effect over time. You have to embrace yourself and be happy with who you are. We can’t change. Learning who you are and sticking to it is the best thing you can do." -KYOKO
Buc'ee. "I started to notice that my teeth were abnormal. Before someone pointed it out to me, I wasn’t thinking about it, but as soon as they did, I was so insecure. It would get to the point where I wouldn’t want to make eye contact with people and my eyes are not even the issue. One negative would lead to another; which is scary. ... It wasn’t until recently that I learned to be happy with myself. You cannot be anyone else, so why put negative stipulations on your body? I think coming into that mindset and really grasping that light has helped through life; making me accept myself and be a better person. Once I accepted my insecurity, I believe more blessing came my way. ... I never used to smile with my teeth but now people say I have a nice smile. It is crazy how something that put me in the shadows is bringing me into the light. If I could remember the person that made fun of me for it growing up, I would tell them ‘thank you for opening my eyes to my beautiful imperfection." -JAMES.
The Beast. “I actually have a lot of insecurities... One of my main ones is that I’m really hairy. It’s something that I’ve always lived with. A bunch of my friends would call me names in high school, like “beast”, “Wolverine” and “Frodo”, which I think is pretty dope now, because I’m starting to embrace it. It’s something that’s always on my mind and now it’s just a part of me and I don’t even realize I’m living my life a certain type of way because of how hairy I am. ... I don’t wear tank tops. I really want to wear them, especially in the summer time, but I just don’t do that because I’m really hairy and I’m insecure about that. On Spring Break I never wanted to be that guy that would travel and not want to go with everyone else because I’m insecure about taking my shirt off on the beach in front of all those people that I didn’t know and have people looking at me weird... There were too many things preventing me from just being myself. ... I think a lot people don’t spend time with themselves and that’s a problem. Listen to your thoughts and listen to the things you want to do. Pay attention to your instincts. The more you learn about yourself, the more you make the right decisions and I want to get to that point where I know 100% who I am and there’s nothing else bringing me down. If people allow that particular thing or particular moment that’s bringing them down, you’re preventing yourself from being greater than you currently are. Fear can be a good thing if you try to recognize it and you try to face it.”
Mane Chick. “This isn’t seen as nice; I mean a lot of people say they would kill to have hair like this, but it is so much to handle. It is kind of silly, but I alway feel like I have to spend a lot of time blow-drying and curling my hair. ... I believe that to overcome insecurities, you need to realize that they are internal and you just have to be confident in yourself.” -KRISTA
"Smile Strong. For a long time I was insecure about my smile. My gums come down pretty low, so I get conscious about it when I’m smiling or laughing really hard, since I smile with my whole face. It affected my self-confidence around people, but not anymore. I also have a little yellow birthmark on my tooth because I had measles when that tooth was growing. The dentist said we could shave it off, but I don’t want to. I like it now. It’s part of me now.” -ADA
"Buggin’ Out. The shape of my eyes is something that I’m conscious of, especially in photos. They’re like frog-eyes. It’s something I’ve struggled with for a while. But, if you focus on [insecurities], you begin to spiral. And I’m not about that plastic surgery life. I’m not changing anything. This is who I am. It’s something that I’ve accepted now. ... You have to go through life’s journey of self-hate to realize how beautiful and unique you are. -ZUHRIE
"Thinking Out Loud. I am insecure about a lot of things; one of which is whether or not I speak with enough intelligence. I’m always wondering if I have enough knowledge on a subject to contribute to a conversation. ... I don’t know if it’s possible to overcome every insecurity, because you may have some insecurities that you are not aware of until they are triggered. I don’t think I will ever get over my insecurities, but I know that I have and will continue to grow past them. I know I want something better for myself, so I don’t let [my insecurities] take over me. ... Remember who you are, remember where you come from, remember who made you. You were made to be perfect and remembering that will make you love yourself and others around you 10 times more." -LATASHIA
Fighter. “I’ve been told that I’m an inspiration, but I’m just living my life.” Elizabeth has tumors on the outside of her body which is due to a genetic disorder that she has carried since childhood, Neurofibromatosis (otherwise known as NF). The tumors are benign, but they cover her face. She has lost the ability to fully smile and raise her eyebrow, but she can still see and hear. Despite this condition, she has a fiery spirit and beaming confidence that undeniably lights up the people around her. She was raised to know and believe she can do anything she wants and this is the attitude she carries with her through life. She is a grade school teacher and serves as a role model to several children. “If we believe the lies people tell us we let their comments control us and that affects the way we act and perceive ourselves. There have been times when I go out and people compliment me on my ‘mask’. This has happened more than once. Sometimes, and especially around Halloween, I talk myself into these lies and am insecure about going out. Generally, though, I’m not insecure about my appearance. I’m more fearful for the future because of my medical condition. Everyone goes through those days, but I believe we are all here for a reason.” -ELIZABETH
Crazy Lady. “I am insecure about my Bipolar II Disorder and my PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). I have really bad mood swings that can range day-to-day from feelings of depression and intense anger to feeling really happy and optimistic. These can all happen in a span of eight hours when it’s really bad. I started noticing these feelings early on. When I was 12 years old I started having suicidal thoughts, but it wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I really started to notice my mood swings getting worse. The reason I have these disorders is because my brain does not have the right amount of chemical balance to keep me in a regular state. Because of my disorders, I’m constantly worried about how others percieve me and hoping that they don’t notice any of my episodes. Honestly speaking, it is a constant battle within myself to not feel crazy. ... If people notice something and they ask me, I try to be vocal about it. This makes me stay accountable for myself and others because there are so many people that feel they have to hide it and can’t be free to be themselves and talk to people about it. That’s the part that kills us. It’s a lonely disease. ... What keeps me grounded are my family and friends. I also try remember that I do have a purpose in life. A lot of people are dealing with these conditions and they keep to themselves because they feel like they can’t share it. I think it is important to talk to your loved ones about how you feel so you can realize that you aren’t alone." -CORI
Skin-Deep. “Growing up, I was more insecure about my eczema than I am now. I don’t really like when people stare at me if I’m having huge outbreaks or ask me if it is contagious; it doesn’t make me feel pretty. ... I do a lot of self-reflection and I journal about things that make me feel uneasy or take me off my equilibrium. I’ve had to learn how to be selfish to be able cope with my insecurities, instead of doing what other people want. ... The strongest you is the best you; if you can’t be you, you are fooling yourself and everyone around you. -MARISSA
Horseshoe. “I’ve been insecure about the scar I received from my brain aneurysm surgery. Because of the shape, I was teased when I returned to school in third grade after my surgery. As I grew up, I learned that it didn’t define me. It was more about what I’ve achieved and my character... Don’t take your ‘imperfections’ or insecurities as a mark against who you are but as a mark of survival. Even if you are perfect to someone, someone else will always find something to bring you down. Keep your head up.” -DERION
[Un]Cover Girl “I used to be insecure about the birthmark on my face which sits right above my cheek. I was not insecure about it until I was in school and kids started picking at it. It’s additional pigmentation in that area that did not completely disperse all over my face. ... Until you accept your differences, you can’t really live. It will become a burden to you, especially if it is something you cannot change. You can always have surgery done on something like this, but I personally would not want to risk side effects for something that I can accept for myself. I have always felt like if I was born this way, then I should probably stay this way. Changing who you are just to fit a certain standard should not be an option. Just accept and understand that your differences are what make you who you are.” SIMONE
Thick-Skinned Skinny “I’m insecure about my size, my slim build. I’m skinny. I hide it. I act like it doesn’t effect me, but it does. Body shaming is bad for people that are big, but it’s common for guys that are skinny too. It comes up every day. I’ve learned to have thick skin. ... Anything like that can affect you, but it depends on how you react to it or not. I just try to work hard and be the best person I can be.” -ANTHONY
Wide-Eyed Wise. "I have been wearing glasses since I was in seventh grade, but I typically wear my glasses to cover up the fact that my eyes are far apart. When I take off my glasses, I feel naked; like I am exposing my insecurity. ... I don’t think there is that one thing that makes someone beautiful. When you see beauty, you just see it. Beauty is a combination of so many different pieces of a human being. ... You cannot change who you are. Physical insecurities, for example, are deeper than the surface so even if you fix it, there will still be something else bothering you. You have to get to know yourself and accept yourself. Once you become your biggest cheerleader, your insecurities become things that you love." -SHATOYA
Air Head “I like to say that my mom dropped me when I was little, but that didn’t really happen. I was looking at my baby pictures yesterday and I didn’t have [the bump]. It’s harmless. It’s just a pocket of air that has grown with me. I always wear bangs to cover it, though. Some days it looks bigger than others. I could get it surgically removed, but... it’s me! ... Self love and God are the two elements that allowed me to get over [feeling insecure about] it. You have to find that inner love for yourself because until you do that, you’ll always want to cover up or want to be someone else. Finding that inner peace is going to make you realize that no one is perfect.” -AMBER
Thanks to the wonderful people who assisted in putting together this project: Jon Conner (cinematographer), Afolabi Mosuro (photographer/producer), Ambika Singh (photographer/producer), Ada Eigbobo (assistant producer), Stevie D (cinematographer), Anthony Johnell (DJ), Kyoko Hicks (event coordinator), Alexis Mayfield (event coordinator), Mike & Midtown Drinkery, Saint Arnolds, 8th Wonder (drinks sponsors), Winter Street Studios (art space), our families, and all the models.