GIRLS

GIRLS captures the nature and beauty of femininity. each photo holds an individual meaning but collectively creates a story.

Preview of Interview with Habit & Heart

Habit & Heart: Where did inspiration come from for this project?

Lainey Berlin: Inspiration for this series came from a compilation of different photographers, musicians, artists and magazines that I have followed and appreciated over the years. Some names including Lauren Tepfer, Petra Collins, Tavi Gevinson, the 1975, Lorde, Ryn Weaver, Darling Magazine and many other Instagram accounts and Tumblr photographs built up in my archive. However, if I were to pinpoint one source of inspiration, I would have to say the book Babe by Petra and Tavi really opened my eyes to a whole new side of photography and power that I was unaware of. Babe is a collection of photographs reflecting feminism while exploring female identity in midst of our objectifying and degrading media world. More than thirty female artists came together to contribute to create one voice. It wasn’t until I flipped through the pages of this book when I realized I too could use my passion of photography as a voice to all girls around the world who are growing up in the society that I am. I have always dreamed of creating a photo-set that not only held a story, but a powerful message. It wasn’t until recently when I started to become confident in my photography, that I decided to make this project a reality.

H&H: How would you describe femininity and being a woman?
 

LB: I could spend days coming up with characteristics and phrases in attempt to conclude with one truthful definition of what I believe being a woman means, but thankfully I don’t have to. Being a woman isn’t confined to one single definition. Instead, being a woman means exceeding expectations, breaking barriers, proving power while at the same time remaining unapologetically confident and secure with who you are as a female. There is not a single woman who sets the example of how every girl should live and look, despite what the media suggests. Darling Magazine says it best, women need to realize “beauty apart from vanity, influence apart from manipulation, style apart from materialism, sweetness apart from passivity, and womanhood without degradation.” Women need to support other women. Women need to love other women. Women need to look out for other women. But most importantly, women need to come together to prove their power. I mean, girl power, can I get an amen?

H&H: AMEN!