For decades, the gatekeepers of how women were portrayed in the media were magazine editors, fashion and beauty directors and advertising art directors. They were the ones who chose the models, booked the photographer and then chose which images were published.
This is how what a ‘beautiful’ or ‘attractive’ woman came to be defined. In this very narrow way by this small group of powerful people.
Today though? We all have the power. Female photographers are flooding the world with images of women. Women are flooding the world with images of women. Images of ourselves and images of each other. Different looking women. Women who are not models but do all manner of things, are all manner of ages, shapes and sizes and come from all manner of different backgrounds.
Here at Mamamia, we stand for making the world a better place for women and girls. And an important part of that is showcasing images of women that are diverse. Real. Authentic.
This month, Mamamia partnered with our friends at Canon for a photography competition celebrating the real women who make up the incredible fabric of our nation.
Our project was first announced at Kelly Brown’s Baby Summit, where I was a keynote speaker and met some of the most delightful female photographers in the country.
All the entries in this competition were from women who attended the event at the Sunshine Coast and after receiving an overwhelming number of responses, we selected our favourite images of the series and asked the photographers to share with us the inspiration behind the photograph they took.
Top Comments
Great I liked it
Four relatable images. Unless you're not a mother. Great inclusive work there.
Um.. the woman with the horse..
Read the descriptor:
"I also think this image represents a large number of women who hold the titles Mother. Wife. Daughter. Friend."
And let's not ignore the fact that the Mother Wife Daughter Friend horse lady was also busy playing midwife to a pregnant mare. Seems people can't envisage women whose roles are not maternal and nurturing in some way. These four images are hardly what you could describe as diverse or widely encompassing.