BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
PHOTOS BY BRIAN TANNEHILL, TANNEHILL PHOTOGRAPHY
Julia Blackwell, of Tallassee, knows about Self Love, and how hard it can be to find sometimes.
In a world where women are often featured as airbrushed, perfect creatures, sometimes trying to measure up to what society expects is a daunting task.
Julia admits she has battled with self-image, wondering if she was good enough, pretty enough. But age and wisdom have shown her that so many of the things people worry about in life are not important.
She has a friend who is a photographer in Texas who did a Self Love project, and Julia loved the idea. She said the friend got the idea from a similar project in Mississippi.
Julia wanted to recreate it locally. She reached out to area photographer Brian Tannehill, of Wetumpka, and gathered a group of ladies who were willing to take on the challenge.
They recently gathered together to be photographed. The first photo of each participant showed them holding signs about things people have said about them. Then they held up signs saying what they WANTED people to know about them.
“I just thought it would be fantastic to be part of something like this, but obviously couldn’t join (my friend’s) because of distance. So I shared it and asked Brian if he’d be interested in shooting it for us and he agreed immediately,” Julia said.
Participants included Julia, Garris Welch, Kimm Fuller, Stacy Allman, Paula Adair, Tracy Reed, Jelissa Williams, Morgan Burbage.
Below are some comments sent to the Elmore/Autauga News from some of the participants, about why it was important to them to take part in the Self Love Project.
Tracy Reed – I was the last lady photographed for the project. I felt like it was important to me because after almost 5 years with the same man and engaged for the last 2 1/2years, he decided I needed to work on myself. Needless to say I was beyond crushed and heartbroken. I did just work on myself for myself and in that work found a new sense of self love along with a gentleman who still appreciates my flaws and all. That was the best work on myself I’ve ever done! Thanks for letting me share my story!
Kimm Fulmer – I am a wife, mom, grandmother, and surrogate mom living in Wetumpka. I recently opened my own small salon suite in Montgomery. When Julia Blackwell posted about (The Self Love Project) I was moved. I realized it was time for me to step out of my comfort zone. I was recently told by my former employer (of almost 7 years) that I had “no morals or values” because she and I did not see eye to eye on the current political climate. I felt attacked.
I’ve battled like most women with issues of self-confidence and not always fitting into the mold women are expected to be poured into. My husband still has to remind me I’m beautiful and loved. When she attacked my morals and values, it cut deep. I have always considered myself to be kind and welcoming to everyone. I am a hairstylist, my job is to make everyone who sits in my chair feel for that time they are the only one that matters and for them to leave feeling beautiful on the outside and inside. My job is to listen, not judge. So to be judged by this woman who I assumed was my friend hurt. This experience was amazing and helped close a wound. The women who took this leap are so strong and I was so lucky to be part of it. I’m thankful I don’t fit inside that unrealistic mold. Normal is boring! Be kind.
Garris Welch – For me, being a survivor of child abuse, it was super important to participate in the Self Love Project to show other victims of child abuse that they are always strong enough to conquer their fears and insecurities. As a child I was severely abused by my mother until she passed away when I was 11. There was no help. Unfortunately, I suffer from severe anxiety and PTSD, but I have learned to conquer it all.
As a dancer through high school, instructors, family members, and classmates constantly told me to “suck in my gut”, “it makes you ugly.” I don’t think any of them realized what I had been through or what they were causing.
Needless to say, there’s always hope.
Jelissa Williams – Project Self Love is very important to me because growing up I was bullied a lot from being very short to wearing glasses. I now have a 3-year-old daughter and I want to teach her that there is not a certain way you should look in order to be considered beautiful in society. Society is cruel and accepting yourself, loving yourself, and feeling beautiful in the body you’re in is what is considered beautiful!
Morgan Burbage – I agreed to do the Self Love Project for several reasons. Mainly, because this year has been really tough on all of us. I personally have been at a low point with my self esteem lately, and just recently committed to regaining focus on caring for myself. We need to stop letting other’s opinions control our self images. At the end of the day, all you’ve really got is yourself. So treat yourself right. Love yourself. Find what makes your heart smile and hold on to it tightly. Only accept the love you deserve, from yourself and from others. We’re in this together, so lift each other up and remember you never know what the person next to you is battling.
Julia said she would be interesting in working on continuing projects such as this, if there is enough community interest. If you would be interested in the project, please email Julia Blackwell at the.naked.pineappleal@gmail.com.
As for us at the Elmore/Autauga News, we want to thank these beautiful ladies who stepped out of their comfort level to share a very important message. Bless all of you! It reminds us all that we don’t always leave the bullies behind on the playground in school. Bullies just grow up to be taller, nastier bullies. A shield of self confidence will protect you! And we leave you with the quote below:
“For once, you believed in yourself. You believed you were beautiful and so did the rest of the world.”
― Sarah Dessen, Keeping the Moon
See more photos below!
