In our visual culture, the images we see in the media and advertising, weave invisible threads that shape our understanding of beauty. The Senzual project proposes a challenging yet meaningful three-step path, where photography can play a crucial role in shifting certain ideals that don't always reflect the reality of our bodies and our lives:
See ~ Being exposed to images of different body types challenges what our brain has encoded as "beautiful".
Appreciate ~ Breaking the stereotype opens the door to finding beauty in diversity. Not just superficial tolerance, but a genuine appreciation, as one would admire a piece of art.
Recognize ~ Ultimately, this journey leads us to recognize the beauty in our features, whether they be rolls, stretch marks, or anything else; not as flaws, but as what makes us unique.
We are not alone in this journey; global brands are redefining standards by embracing diversity in all its forms. Below, we explore how some of these companies are leading the change:
Redefining Beauty: The Role of Brands
The debate over whether advertising creates or reflects stereotypes is as old as the chicken and egg dilemma. On one hand, advertising draws from culture using concepts that are easily recognizable, not necessarily with the intention of imposing a beauty standard but to communicate effectively. However, repetition can reinforce these stereotypes, making it harder to change entrenched perceptions.
Nevertheless, major brands have demonstrated the effectiveness of diverse representation. These initiatives have helped change the narrative, showing that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors - and that everyone deserves to be celebrated:
Dove ~ "Real Beauty"
This campaign focused on celebrating natural beauty and the diversity of female bodies, moving away from traditional beauty stereotypes. Although it has been 20 years and has seen wonderful applications like the "sketch portraits" (click here to see the campaign video), a recent study published by the brand in April 2024, about beauty stereotypes, states that despite positive changes, the reality is still "not so pretty."
The brand continues to work on this change and recently took action to help create new digital standards of representation, creating the Real Beauty playbook, a guide for creating images that represent real beauty in the most popular AI programs. Click here to see the AI guide.
Nike ~ "Dream Crazier"
Just as Apple's 'Think Different' campaign in the 1980s challenged us to break away from convention, this Nike campaign highlighted the stories of female athletes who break barriers, focusing on strength, determination, and overcoming gender stereotypes in sports.
Aerie ~ "#AerieREAL"
Aerie, an underwear and loungewear brand, launched this campaign promoting the use of unretouched models and celebrating bodies of all shapes and sizes. The brand gained a large following and recognition for its authenticity and rejection of photo retouching (just as Senzual does), driving a change in the fashion industry towards more inclusivity. Click here to learn more about the campaign.
Always ~ "Like a Girl"
This campaign focused on changing the meaning of the phrase "like a girl," showing it in a positive and empowering way, rather than its negative connotation of being weak or silly. Click here to see statistics on the impact of this campaign.
L’Oréal Paris ~ 50 years ~ "Because You´re Worth It"
Although this phrase has been L'Oréal Paris's slogan for decades, on its 50th anniversary the brand decided to clearly communicate its message towards female empowerment by highlighting women of various ages, ethnicities, and careers. Click here to learn about the entire campaign.
Our Mission: Empowerment Through Images
Our boudoir photography project is more than just a photo session; it's a statement of empowerment. Each image seeks to capture the unique essence of the person, highlighting that true beauty resides in authenticity and self-acceptance. We want each participant to see their photograph not just as a representation of themselves, but as a step forward in their personal journey towards self-love.
We are committed to creating a space where all women can feel safe, seen, and valued, each through their own optic of beauty. It's an act of bravery to see and show the world our true selves and we are here to support that process.
Each photo is a story of courage, acceptance, and rebellion against restrictive stereotypes. Through our lens, we want to inspire a change, not just in how others see beauty, but in how each of us sees ourselves.
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