Flaminia Reposi is an Italian professional studio photographer living in Paris.

She created a project called Scars where she shoots portraits of women and focused images of scars on their bodies. I had the chance to be informed about the initiative by a close friend of mine, Alessandra Venier, to take part of the project and have my pictures being taken. It was a truly emotional experience for the models, photographers and makeup artists who all had the chance to assist the processes while hearing the stories behind every scar.

 

It allowed us to connect on a deeper level. It also differed from photoshoots that might at time appear to be void of any further purpose besides appearing physically appealing for marketing matters. Reposi decided to adorn each scars with colorful glitters matching our facial makeup in order to demonstrate the beauty behind everyone's experience.

Flaminia herself had a scar on her foot, due to a birth defect called “clubfoot”, which causes her feet to be rotated inwards and downwards. She initiated the project in order to celebrate aspects of ourselves that we tend to hide due to their unconventionality. Unconventionalities that come against society's obsession with perfection.

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On the day of my photo shoot in Paris, I met another one of the model as we were both being photographed on the same day. She was a Leukemia survivor. Her scar represented the numerous surgeries she had had gone through. I shed a few tears at the realization of  how strong she was, how strong we all were.

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For my parts, my scars are three little stitches located on the upper part of my spine, hiding metal bars that help me stand tall everyday. I had a spinal surgery at the age of 17 (I dare you to type it on YouTube for those not faint at heart). These scars are part of my everyday and of who I am, I do not conceal them nor do I necessarily talk about them. 

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At times our brain intentionally forgets painful experiences. Experiences that allowed us to become who we really are once the facade comes of. We are reminded that they will always remain within us as they resurface in very subtle and unexpected ways. 

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I am truly happy to have had the opportunity to take part in such a beautiful initiative and to this day I recommend anyone with a story to share to get in contact with Flaminia Reposi. https://www.flaminiareposi.com/