No coy angles. No artifice.
Just flesh and honesty.
This week I participated in #SinfulSunday, and I received some incredibly positive feedback from people all over the place; in fact, Molly highlighted me as one of her top five of the week.
For all of this, I am incredibly grateful.
And yet… I’m dissatisfied.
Two years ago, receiving such wonderful comments on such candid photos would have made my day. But now? Well… I’m really struggling to say this without seeming deeply ungrateful and extremely narcissistic.
#SinfulSunday and HNT before it, and all the other nude-friendly weekly photography memes are great, and I think the thing they do best, first and foremost, is help people with their body image; the comments and the community build confidence and show that we’re all made differently and we can all be beautiful. I cannot stress how important and wonderful that is.
But look - I have many many flaws and downfalls; my self-esteem is not one of them. I feel incredibly lucky to be this self-assured. And given that I am lucky enough to feel confident in my body, I would like to use it do something more than show beauty in different bodies.
This is so difficult to articulate!
My point is, I did not post those photos to show how any body, no matter how fat or wrinkled or hairy or whatever! can be beautiful. I posted those photos because they were honest. And the incredibly body-positive feedback is lovely, but it misses the point.
The point is the honesty. You can show me something horribly ugly, but if it’s honest, then that is what is important.
I just want to be honest! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The truth about my body is that I have cellulite on my thighs and ass, my tits hang low because they’re big, and my chin doubles, and my knuckles are dimples, and I have really round cheeks… and none of that is objectively beautiful or ugly. It’s just true.
And that’s all I wanted to say. My body doesn’t make me happy or unhappy; but it’s my body and I will be honest about it.
Not that I’m blaming the commenters. I just need to find a better way to show what I mean.
I don’t want it to matter. I just want to move past the self-esteem boosting so I can do something else.
Christ this is hard to articulate…
Totally feeling this.
You are truly very beautiful, Harper.
xoxo
Why thank you Miss Jilly.
There is nothing sexier than just being the honest you! Yummy!
Rebel xox
Merci Mmselle Rebelle!
you are simply amazing
Wow. Now THAT is a compliment. But really… I mean… I’m just me!
well you talk about body honesty and i was honest about your body . amazing curves
Thank you! Much appreciated.
Yes, you are very beautiful indeed. But I am somewhat biased – I look at you (especially that second photo) and think you look so very much like me!
xx Dee
Haha, I love the narcissism of that comment.
I LOVE YOU Miss Harper Eliot for everything that you are and most of all for posting this images. Firstly would you mind if I posted one of the to my Pinterest board where I am trying to make a collect called Beautiful Real Women? You can find it here….
http://pinterest.com/mollysdailykiss/beautiful-real-women/
Also I am in the process of developing a new project based around my 365 work that will be called 365 nudes and I want to take 365 images of nude woman. I want them to be sensual sexy images and show real beautiful woman of all ages shapes sizes colours etc etc…. would you let me take you photograph for that project once I get started?
Mollyxxx
Thank you so much Molly! Whilst I appreciate the comments from everyone, I think you really understand what I was trying to do – not a bid for attention or an intentional display of beauty, but just a moment of honesty.
Yes, you absolutely can use one of the images on your pinterest board; that’s exactly where I want these kinds of images. For the 365 Nudes project, I’m on board in theory, but my mood and my mind keep changing on this, so I think you’re better off asking me once the project is off the ground, or once you want to photograph me. I’ll probably say yes, but just ask again then.
Harper xx
beautiful, i’d nibble on your bum ;)
Haha! No you wouldn’t!
I do love a good, clean image. Even if they are ‘dirty’. :)
And not even that dirty! Thank you!
Honesty is the best policy and the honesty in these photos is truly beautiful.
~Mia~ xx
Honesty… honesty… we need more honesty! Thank you Mia.
I get so tired of polished model poses… love the beautiful honesty here :)
~Kazi xxx
Ah, don’t we all…
Honestly? Beautiful, wondrous and an absolute delight x
Just honesty. Thank you.
Beautiful, and in such contrast to so many ads that promote the supposed beauty that is so unhealthy looking!
Yes! But… this is not a display of health either. It’s just a couple of candid photos.
You are amazing. Note that we didn’t say that you look amazing – though you certainly do. You look so perfect that we would love to slip into bed on either side of you and do fabulous, very memorable things to you. No, you are amazing, in every sense of the word. This is such a powerful, positive, empowering, and above all erotic Sinful Sunday, and we’re very glad you posted it.
*bows* Thank you.
How incredibly honest and very brave. Lovely.
Thank you!
You are braver than I am. Wonderful shots.
Ginger x
Haha, not sure whether it’s bravery or that I genuinely don’t care what people think of me. But THANK you.
Gorgeously Sexy – honestly
Just a side effect. Merci Clive.
There’s nothing more beautiful then a person being comfortable enough with themselves to bare all.. and such delicious all it is.
You look gorgeous sweetheart, absolutely gorgeous.
xoxo Jana
Thank you Jana!
As a straight woman, there are a few women who are beautiful inside & out, that I would be happy to hop into their beds, and you are one of them. Love the words, love the pics, love all of you!
Thank you! Such kind words.
Wonderful, beautiful, honest – You, in essence.
LP x
If me “in essence” includes ‘honesty’ then I am a very happy girl. Thank you.
It’s hard to comment on this when I know what you already think about the comments on this so far, but I suppose I’ll just say that you might not have intended a show of beauty here, but it doesn’t stop people finding it. If people are going to react to you being honest, it may as well be in a nice way. :)
Oh, of course. I am not at all upset about the comments I’ve received in and of themselves. I’m just frustrated with trying to find my way to show what I mean. And I do recognise that I’ve put my commenters in a really difficult situation… but that’s just how it is.
And thank you.