It was 2009, and I was still trying to figure out who I was in the context of my nude photography. I loved creating the work, but I was also afraid of sharing it and being known for it. I shared very little with friends or family, but eventually began sharing some of my photographs online. Through that process, I became more comfortable having people view my nude photography work, which has led to experiencing less fear when asked to share images with those in my “real” life.
No Longer Hidden attempts to capture that tension in a single image. On one side I am folded inward, guarded and trying to disappear. On the other, I am open, expressive, and taking up space. It was not like all the fear suddenly disappeared, but I was beginning to discover how much freedom could come from letting myself be known.
Looking back, I see confidence arriving in small doses. The more I allowed trusted people to see my photography and received acceptance instead of judgment, the easier it became to stop hiding quite so much. Fear closes us in. Love has a way of opening things back up.
