I adore Eliza’s heart so so much. Instead of sharing my own take on this session we had, I wanted you to hear directly from her what this session meant to her!
“Way back in 2013 I contacted Linda about a shoot regarding mental health and eating disorder awareness. The images were incredible and we had a blast making them. The thing is, I wasn’t healthy. I wasn’t in a place where I should have been promoting a healthy body image because I wasn’t there myself. I began engaging in negative habits around food at a very young age because if I couldn’t be pretty at least I could be skinny. I started it thinking oh I’ll diet for a few months and then I’ll go back to normal…yeah right. I frequently hear the phrase “be the person you needed when you were younger” and that is my mission.
I may not be that young girl struggling to find her place in this world but so many young people are heading in the same direction I was. For over a decade I was on a roller coaster of anorexia and bulimia and I thought I would never be able to lead a healthy life. But here I am to tell you, it is possible! I’m not saying I’m 100% recovered and never have negative thoughts about myself or eating because I do. I also haven’t engaged in negative behaviors in over 8 months because I have resources and a support system and you can too. Finding that balance that is right for you is so important (for me it was finding my love for fitness, mountain biking, and learning that food doesn’t have to equal fear). Getting help and being able to talk to others about what I believe in has allowed me to grow in ways I didn’t think was possible.
Through these photos I hope to capture the phrases “I love my body for what it is and I am enough” and also that “it’s okay to not be okay”. Our society will forever be telling us how we are supposed to act, look, and be. I “should” be skinny or I “should” have the expensive clothes or whatever social implications you feel pressing on you. The only thing you should be doing is loving yourself and choosing happiness. I hope that these photos can give you hope, whether that’s recovery, intervention, or (hopefully) prevention. You are stronger than you could ever imagine. Be bigger than your diagnosis, bigger than societal expectations, bigger than your own negative thoughts of not being enough. You were born with the right to be unconditionally loved and happy. Be kind to yourself because you’re doing the best you can.
Xo
Eliza
If you or someone you know is struggling with body image please go to www.nationaleatingdisorders.org or speak to someone you feel comfortable with. Reach out and speak up.”
Eliza, thank you so much for allowing me into your home to photograph you exactly as you are. It’s been an honor to work with you over the years!
Linda is a Boston-based photographer specializing in weddings and creating family legacies. You can see more of her work online at lindabarryphotography.com, on Instagram, or on Facebook. If you want to reach out directly: linda@lindabarryphotography.com. To sign up for the monthly newsletter full of encouragement and real life, click here!
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