Let's stop apologising for our faces: The 1,000 women global project.
Australian photographer Cait Miers. Photo courtesy of https://www.laughlines.com.au/
How often have you apologised before a photograph, wishing you looked different? Australian photographer Cait Miers has heard those apologies for years. Her global project, Laugh Lines, invites 1,000 women to step in front of the camera makeup-free, challenging impossible beauty ideals and celebrating the faces they already have. Woman Unclouded caught up with her about this inspiring mission.
Why did you start Laugh Lines?
I started Laugh Lines after years behind the lens watching women apologise for their faces (even though they’re magic, exactly as they are). This project is part love letter, part rebellion. An invitation to show up barefaced and brilliant. I’m here to document the cracks, the creases, the quirks, the real stuff. Because beauty isn’t added. It’s revealed.
You've spoken about seeing women apologise for their faces. Have you noticed different insecurities among women of different ages?
Yeah. Over my time as a surf and fashion photographer, I’ve seen this constant need to look ‘perfect’ , or a certain way, in images. And it’s never agreed with me.
And as I’ve started noticing, it’s just all around us. We all do it. We apologise for not wearing makeup or for looking tired or calling ourselves ‘unphotogenic’. And I just think we shouldn’t be doing it.
In your experience, what makes a woman truly photogenic? Is it about features, or something deeper?
I don’t really believe in the word ‘photogenic.’ Photos are designed to capture the ‘moment’. So however that person is in that moment is what we should be capturing.
Have you seen a change in the way women feel about their appearance since the rise of social media?
Yeah. I feel like the comparisons that happen on social media are slowly eating away at us. Even I’m guilty. There’s times I will post a photo of myself purely for outside validation.
I’m conscious of it but I’m like: ‘whyyyy am I doing this?’ I think this pressure to ‘show up perfect’ or ‘put together’ is the root of it.
That’s what I hope this project changes. The more women we see showing up ‘as they are,’ the more we hope to encourage other women to do the same - and normalise it.
Photo courtesy of https://www.laughlines.com.au/
Have you photographed women who are genuinely comfortable and confident in their own skin?
Yeah of course. And it’s super refreshing to see. I think their energy comes across in the images. Like they’ve accepted themselves.
And that’s all this experiment is. A chance to accept ourselves just the way we are because, what else do we have? We’ve got the choice to not be at war with ourselves.
What would you say to a woman who avoids having her photograph taken because she doesn't like the way she looks?
I’d give her a big hug, and encourage her to push past the fear. Every good feeling is on the other side of fear.
Can women in Malta sign up to be part of your project? Would you come to Malta?
Yes. We are super keen to come to Malta. We are keen to travel the world with this. We just need to unlock some funding, so we’re working towards that. You can support through our GoFundMe page.
About Laugh Lines
Laugh Lines is a global portrait movement by Australian photographer Cait Miers, attempting to photograph 1.000 women around the world with one common thread - they're without makeup.
Using makeup as a metaphor for the layers of conditioning women have endured over the years, the portrait series is about challenging traditional beauty, sitting with ourselves, observing our thoughts and hopefully, celebrating ourselves, just the way we are.
Laugh Lines is currently gathering momentum to start, and gathering sign-ups as the team decides where to go. The portraits will be done in public meetups and potentially individual sessions. If you're interested in taking the challenge click here.