Every Body Is Beautiful for DOTE Magazine
It’s been a process, and I’d be lying if I said that I figured everything out. The whole journey has left a lasting impression on me and it is the reason why I photograph women in a way that claims back our womanliness and celebrates the female body for all of its strength and loveliness. This shoot is a culmination of these things as well as so much more. Each woman pictured has been on her own unique journey, and I couldn’t be happier that we all ended up spending a chilly evening standing together in Mill Creek…
It all started at the beach. Young, modest and insecure; I found myself wading in the water wearing a one-piece Speedo covered with a t-shirt and board shorts. I’m not sure why I felt my thighs were embarrassing or that my body was something to be covered and unseen, I just know that by being covered up I was hiding. I was afraid.
It was at the beach that I saw mothers, women confidently in bikinis. I watched them in awe, and disbelief. How did they not feel concerned with all the people around them seeing their imperfect bodies? How did they get the confidence to so nonchalantly show themselves to the world?
Years have passed and I am now a mother myself. I think back to these moments I had when I was young, so insecure, yet, so amazed by the confidence these women exuded. Their freedom and confidence gave me permission to be OK with myself. I could dress like myself. I could be myself. I could breathe.
It’s been a process, and I’d be lying if I said that I figured everything out. The whole journey has left a lasting impression on me and it is the reason why I photograph women in a way that claims back our womanliness and celebrates the female body for all of its strength and loveliness. This shoot is a culmination of these things as well as so much more. Each woman pictured has been on her own unique journey, and I couldn’t be happier that we all ended up spending a chilly evening standing together in Mill Creek, Edmonton.
My hope is that others will see these incredible, strong, smart, beautiful women as a source of encouragement and strength. That perhaps for a few, it might just be the first step on a road to self-discovery and self-love. Let’s look out for each other, friends. Let’s take every possible opportunity to build each other up. You don’t know when a young girl, covered up in a speedo, will be watching.
Publication: DOTE Magazine
Models: Marielle Elizabeth, Hannah Hamilton, Osase, Kendra Allen, Sharon Litchfield, Justine Ma, Anna Stein
Floral Crowns: Lacombe Florists
Hair: Jill Keech
Make-Up: Shake-up That Make-up Tiiu Antrea
Clothing: Red Ribbon
Poppy Barley Fall Launch
When Jane from Poppy Barley emailed me about attending their Fall Launch event, I thought for sure she had made a mistake. I'm a full-time mom/photographer who lives in the middle of nowhere, I don't get invited to fashion launches! Soooo naturally, I quickly wrote back so that she couldn't change her mind lol!…
When Jane from Poppy Barley emailed me about attending their Fall Launch event, I thought for sure she had made a mistake. I'm a full-time mom/photographer who lives in the middle of nowhere, I don't get invited to fashion launches! Soooo naturally, I quickly wrote back so that she couldn't change her mind lol!! But in all seriousness, I cannot tell you how happy I was to celebrate Poppy Barley's new store and their 2018 fall line-up. You see, Poppy Barley was my VERY FIRST responsible shoe purchase and it was scary because, as we all know by now, responsible fashion costs more. And spending money stresses me out friends. I usually have to mull over purchases for weeks to months, and in this case YEARS. Ya, that's right, it took me 2 whole years to finally purchase my ankle boots, and I have zero regrets. In fact, I went back the next year for a pair of mules!! To put it simply, I wear them All. The. Time. They are comfortable and seriously level-up my outfits!I really want to to say a huge thank to the Poppy Barley ladies for having me, and for putting on such an intimate event. I had so much fun hanging out with some of Edmonton's best humans! And you guys I brought home a pair of the leopard print flats (which was a prettty bold move for me)!! Eeee, I love them so much and cannot believe how many garments I can pair them with. I had to turn down the most comfortable pair of oxfords I've ever had my foot in, but I just love how this pair of D'orsay flats completely changes the look of my outfits. I swear, it's the shoe I didn't know I needed! If you haven't already, I can't encourage you enough to check out this Women-run Edmonton-based company, they are a dream. If you have any questions about my experiences with them and their shoes ask away below! I genuinely love chatting slow-fashion with y'all!
Warmly,
Karmen
PS. If you could have any pair of shoes from the Poppy Barley fall line, what would you get?!?