In this post, I reflect on learning how photographs of my body – often nude and in natural settings – can help me to appreciate my body, capturing its changes over time. This process promotes self-compassion and acceptance, shifting focus from societal aesthetic standards to self-witnessing. Although not a complete solution for body image issues, it can serve as a valuable tool for personal appreciation.
Note: This post explores the psychological and wellbeing benefits of naturism within biophilic environments. It contains illustrations depicting nudity and the human form.
A few months ago, I wrote this post about learning to respect and appreciate our bodies as they are and what they are capable of as we journey through life. By seeing our bodies as a record of our lives rather than worry about aesthetics and idealised beauty standards, we can manage some self compassion and self acceptance.
I’ve been thinking about that more recently as I have been adding posts to this site and trying to find ways of illustrating those articles.
From mirror to lens
This has led me to taking photographs of myself, often nude and in nature. I’m not a great photographer and only use the camera on my phone, but I have been teaching myself about composition and have been trying to get better at it. I don’t use models and I’m trying not use ai-generated imagery unless I can’t create the illustrations I want without it.
This has led to a growing collection of images over the last year. They have shown fluctuations in weight, changes in the way I hold my posture (partly as a result of some pain and joint problems) and even changes in the way my skin and hair look.
Some of this is seasonal (this summer has led to quite a tan), some of it might be diet related (I’m trying to eat healthier) and some is just simply due to ageing.
It is fascinating, though, to notice the changes. They form a record that can be referred to rather than relying on a memory from looking in mirrors. It really does help me to recognise the truth that my body changes.
Self witness
In the previous post on this subject, I said that goal is to shift from the cultural habit of self-surveillance (judging the body against an ideal) to self-witnessing (accepting the body as an honest expression of life).
I still I catch myself out when I see myself in a mirror and I think to myself “that’s not a good look”. This still triggers an emotional response that makes me value myself differently. But I am now, often, a lot less susceptible to self doubt and diminished self esteem.
Looking at the pictures that I’ve taken is a very useful form of self witness. A mirror provides an instant reflection that triggers an instant response. Photographs are different – they are a moment caught in time that are looked at later, reviewed, examined, thought about.
Taking lots of naked selfies is not a panacea to overcoming poor body image, but it might be a useful tool. I find it helpful, but it might not work for everyone, especially if there is a risk of reinforcing more entrenched body image difficulties.
The body as a component of its environment
I have learned to appreciate my body more, and some of the pictures I take in nature really do show that the human body – no matter how ‘imperfect’ – is as much a part of the rich tapestry of nature as the trees and wildlife.
Naturists often think of themselves about being a part of nature, not just being in (or even observing) nature. I agree.
The process of taking those pictures has also been a learning experience. The physical process of stepping into nature, setting the camera, and standing exposed to wind, light and air is itself a sensory aletheic act. Finding just the right location to capture the mood whilst avoiding unwanted elements requires some thought. Then finding somewhere to place the phone, set the timer and then position myself to make sure that I’m properly framed needs to be considered.
Thinking more about it, the act of photography acts as an unmasking tool and it is a literal unconcealment. It is a way of stripping away both physical clothing and mental filters and projections to see what is actually there.
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