To create this project, I worked on tackling one of my passion projects dealing with individuals who experience trauma and the different steps to overcoming a traumatic moment in one's life. By using my own story, and the stories of people close to me, I strived to create a project that could be universal to anyone’s trauma. To tell this story, I split the project into 5 subprojects: Innocent, Vulnerable, Guilty, Lost, and Growth. Each section shows a different woman and their experience in their individual trauma. The section chosen for each model is an emotion that they felt the most during their journey to overcome their traumatic experience.
Innocent
The first part, “Innocent” focused on specific imagery before a traumatic event, in which the victim or individual is “innocent”. This is shown throughout this part by using a white bow. This bow is shown throughout all of the project; symbolizing the journey back to regaining innocence & sense of self after trauma.
Vulnerable
Part two, “Vulnerable”, contains soft images. At first glance, these can be seen as simply beautiful images with no malicious intent. This section is to represent the feelings and emotions right before the traumatic experience happens; where one is at their most vulnerable state. We also see the last bit of innocence before it is being taken away from the individual.
Guilty
The third part is “Guilty”. This section focuses on the days, months, and even years after a traumatic event that the victim is going through self reflection, blaming themselves, and [naturally] feeling somewhat guilty in regards to the trauma. We see the victim looking back longingly at their innocence and wishing that they could take it back. The somber themes of this section represent those hard emotions the victim goes through on a daily basis during their healing journey.
Lost
In part four, “Lost”, we see the victim out in the world trying to rediscover themselves. These images are brighter than the previous section; as we have newfound hope of an eventual healing. The victim is working towards cautiously welcoming their innocence back into their life.
Growth
The final part, “Growth” is the cap off to this project. While all of the sections of the project were shot with different models, “Growth” connects all of the parts together by showing all the models together. All are adorned with bouquets of flowers, Which show the beautiful and validating finale of the healing process. This symbolizes that victims never truly go through these trials alone, and can grow through the journey.
