For her project ‘Bare Reality’, London-based photographer Laura Dodson wanted to explore the relationship between women and their breasts.
She was struck by how breasts are depicted as youthful and supple symbols of sexuality in the media, and felt compelled to show what real women’s breasts look like.
“We see images of breasts everywhere in the media and yet ‘real’ breasts are taboo, hidden away. ‘Bare Reality’ explores the dichotomy between how women feel about their breasts privately and how they are presented for public consumption through the media,” she states in her project description.
Over the past couple of years, Dodson photographed the breasts of 100 women aged 19 to 101, with sizes ranging from AAA to K. They come from all walks of life and include stay at home moms, a Buddhist nun, a burlesque dancer, social workers, strippers and cancer survivors.
Raw and untouched, the images are accompanied by personal stories from each woman on their breasts and lives.
Dodson plans to compile her images into a book, which is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter.
She will be sharing one story a week for each week the campaign is running, on her website.
Check out some photographs below and pledge for the project here.
[via Beautiful Decay, images by Laura Dodson]