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December 21, 2011
in Damn this is long I'm winded Mambu Bayoh photography Me black women
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Popular opinion would suggest… the expanse of my nose is too broad, my eyes too wide, and my lips too full. I’ve somewhat dealt with physical insecurities along the lines of these notions most my life. An example? I prefer to not take my photo head-on because I think my nose is unflatteringly flat. There’s Mambu’s opinion… He thinks my nose is BOMB. Of course I feel undeniably beautiful when he looks at me, nose issues and all, I even enjoy the occasional affectionate kiss he places on it (tmi? Lol) There’s Mambu’s photographs of me… It’s tough to put in words how my view of self has changed. When I look at the photos I feel perfect. I feel gorgeous. I feel like me. I even heart my nose ya’ll! To say what is culturally represented as a standard of beauty doesn’t affect your view of self would make you of a marginal group in America.  As black woman, our representation is significantly insignificant in that tiny ass box; and too often, we see women of color revered in their likeness to whites. What I’m trying to say is, as lost or vaguely represented as we are in mass media there are people who appreciate our beauty. People who believe “your you” is worth taking the time to capture and marvel at, just as much as another’s. I often tag along with Mambu to shoots or random city errands where we meet many of his beautiful faces. Every woman immediately reveals a confidence of self as their beauty exudes and oozes everywhere in the magnificence of his photographs. That’s what I’m fond of most in Mambu’s work. How effortlessly he reveals what often is ignored by popular opinion. How enigmatic the combination of a confident black woman is paired with an artist who appreciates and takes pride in their beauty. I’ve been asked if I ever get jealous. Ahhh sometimes, (I’ve grown lol) but I support him to the fullest. All in all I feel lucky to have a man who appreciates every inch of me, and reminds me with nose kisses and the occasional “let me take your photo” amongst other things. I guess this is an open thank-you to Mambu, I Love you, Your biggest fan :)

Popular opinion would suggest…

the expanse of my nose is too broad, my eyes too wide, and my lips too full.

I’ve somewhat dealt with physical insecurities along the lines of these notions most my life.

An example?

I prefer to not take my photo head-on because I think my nose is unflatteringly flat.

There’s Mambu’s opinion…

He thinks my nose is BOMB. Of course I feel undeniably beautiful when he looks at me, nose issues and all, I even enjoy the occasional affectionate kiss he places on it (tmi? Lol)

There’s Mambu’s photographs of me…

It’s tough to put in words how my view of self has changed. When I look at the photos I feel perfect. I feel gorgeous. I feel like me. I even heart my nose ya’ll! To say what is culturally represented as a standard of beauty doesn’t affect your view of self would make you of a marginal group in America.  As black woman, our representation is significantly insignificant in that tiny ass box; and too often, we see women of color revered in their likeness to whites. What I’m trying to say is, as lost or vaguely represented as we are in mass media there are people who appreciate our beauty. People who believe “your you” is worth taking the time to capture and marvel at, just as much as another’s. I often tag along with Mambu to shoots or random city errands where we meet many of his beautiful faces. Every woman immediately reveals a confidence of self as their beauty exudes and oozes everywhere in the magnificence of his photographs.

That’s what I’m fond of most in Mambu’s work. How effortlessly he reveals what often is ignored by popular opinion. How enigmatic the combination of a confident black woman is paired with an artist who appreciates and takes pride in their beauty.

I’ve been asked if I ever get jealous. Ahhh sometimes, (I’ve grown lol) but I support him to the fullest. All in all I feel lucky to have a man who appreciates every inch of me, and reminds me with nose kisses and the occasional “let me take your photo” amongst other things.

I guess this is an open thank-you to Mambu,

I Love you,

Your biggest fan

:)

(Source: staysuckafree)


(via staysuckafree)

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