“We want everyone to be able to say like one thing that they really love about themselves,” Kayla Farhang said. Farhang is the Social Justice Task Force Leader of Hamline’s Minnesota Public Research Interest Group (MPRIG) and was one of the individuals responsible for organizing the Body Love photo shoot on September 22. The photo shoot was an event created with the purpose to spread the message of body positivity through the use of personalized photographs to be put on display.

Rooms 304 and 305 in Anderson had been turned into a studio and information center for the event. Participants were given an opportunity to sign up to get their picture taken or just to take a look at the various materials provided, such as pamphlets about eating disorders, buttons with positive slogans and information about MPRIG. Also, each table had papers with information about how to increase body positivity to look at while waiting for their individual photography session.

What made this event so unique was the format of the photography sessions. Participants collaborated one on one with photographer Barbara Nickel (of Barbara Nickel: Photography and Humans of Hamline) to create a photo that represented what they loved about themselves. They were able to choose what part of their body they wanted photographed, whether it was their full body or a specific area like a scar or tattoo. No matter what an individual chose to have photographed, the photo will personally show something they love about their body or perhaps something they feel needs more love.

I chose to participate in the photoshoot and have nothing but praise for the whole experience. Nickel was friendly, professional and not only helped provide ideas for posing, but was open to anything. She also took several photos and talked with me to make sure I was satisfied with the final selection. The whole process was one that instilled confidence that the positive message would be coming across loud and clear.

“We need to be cognisant of body dysmorphia, anorexia, making sure that we love ourselves first,” Cindy Chooraman said, who is the Private Caucus Representative. This message is the focus of not only the photo shoot but also of Body Love Week, which starts on Monday September 28. The photos taken will be on display during the week but there will also be plenty of other events taking place to help promote positive body image.