Why naked?
A few years ago I was approached by a photographer about shooting nude for a series he was producing for a gallery exhibition. I had never shot nude before but after viewing his portfolio, I wanted to shoot with him and be a part of the project. We met for lunch to establish a rapport, go over the details, and to discuss my parameters. I was excited.
How do you prepare for shooting naked for the first time with a stranger? You can’t. But strangely, I wasn’t nervous. I actually felt charged and was looking forward to the shoot. I had a feeling the collaboration was going to result in something special.
And it did. Sunday, October 9. Shoot day. I arrived “on set” to a private loft downtown wearing VERY minimal make-up and my natural hair cornrowed up into an afro puff. My typical look at that time. The photographer introduced me to his friend, the owner of the loft, and showed me around the space where we would be shooting. The loft had a very eclectic vibe; there was art and “graffiti” everywhere. It was perfect. I was shown to the bathroom and was told it was the room we would primarily be shooting in. The exhibit would feature different female models, all nude, shot on different days from the same room.
Cue the music! It was time to…perform. After setting up the camera and lighting, the photographer put on some Adele and told me to…dance. Huh? You mean I’m not going to just “pose”? No, as he explained to me and as I realized after seeing the finished product is that the most beautiful way to showcase the curves of the female body is through organic movement. Ah ha…I get it! I was already in “my zone”…not sure if it was the set, the fact that I was doing something “risque”, or me just feeling myself but it wasn’t hard for me to let go and just… vibe. The result: Beauty.
Ultimately, we decided not to use the photos as a part of the exhibit but the photographer released them to me to use however I wanted. My priorities shifted and they got buried away among other fond memories. But they were never forgotten…
I am a lover…of music, literature, photography, fashion, architecture…art. But aside from some amateur modeling here and there, I was never a CREATOR. By trade, I am an attorney. Hailing from humble beginnings, I was attracted to the legal profession as a means of empowerment, a means to improve my life and the lives of those around me. Until VERY recently, I couldn’t see a way to integrate those two passions.
Enter Naked: a memoir, found here. Those nudes, those beautiful nudes shot years ago will be the perfect catalyst for me to tap into my creativity and empower others(and myself) in the process.
Sadly, in 2020 the right for a woman to have complete ownership of her body is still up for debate. Since the dawn of man, our bodies and sexuality have been exploited. The repurposing of those beautiful nudes taken years ago is a good metaphor for what I hope to accomplish here. I want you to be EMPOWERED…to say YES to life and to take risks! You will see dividends in your personal life… in your professional life..in your financial life.
Are you ready for this journey we are about to embark on? Are you ready to get naked with me?
Chic-a, the Self-love Advocate
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“Beauty in Bold II”, print can be purchased here.
From the book Naked: a memoir, found here.
