One Question Interview with Jade Beall

Jade Beall’s gorgeous photographs from A Beautiful Body Project burst onto the international scene a few years ago, empowering women and men to love their bodies just as they are – dimples, folds, wrinkles, scars, rolls and all. Overnight, we were given permission to be proud of our bodies rather than ashamed and constantly worried about whether we fit the “ideal” beauty standard. While it’s an ongoing struggle – against society and against our own uncertainty, at least we have inspiring people leading the way. Through her photographs and interviews, Jade Beall continues encouraging us to spread love instead of judging the health of a person by the girth of their waist/hips/thighs.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about what an inspiration Jade has been to me (check it out here) and sent her a quick email to let her know what I was writing. I also asked her if she would be willing to do a 1 question interview. Being the amazing person that she is, she readily agreed.

Question: Who inspired you to create A Beautiful Body Project?

Jade Beall: My main inspiration was “This Is Who I Am” by Rosanne Olson.  I read it cover to cover about 5 years before I create a Beautiful Body Project.  I was also inspired by my own desire to finally be free from self loathing and so took the initial self-portrait 5 weeks after my son was born, at my all time worst.  What came from it was many all time bests!