Why nude?
When I first started working as a professional photographer, in my home country of Brazil, I was shooting for the fashion & beauty industry, wedding industry, and for women wanting classic portraits.
At first I loved it, probably because I’ve always seen magic, beauty and art in most things. But, as time went on, I reached a point of divergence. If I was working for a magazine or brand, I saw them placing higher and higher unrealistic standards of beauty on the models. And when working with individuals, shooting weddings or personal portraits, I saw them placing higher and higher unrealistic standards of beauty on themselves.
Over time, I noticed a growing tension and expectation for perfection - alongside the rise of social media, influencers, and the marketing of a "perfect" life.
By the time I moved to Australia in 2016, I couldn't bare the thought of being part of that narrative anymore. I loved taking photos but I wanted them to express the essence of who we are as humans - our limitlessness, our vulnerabilities and our unique selves. I wanted to shine a light on our true nature because that, to me, is real perfection.
I spent eight years away from the lens - focusing on developing my skills as a chef and earning my permanent residency. Once that goal had been achieved, almost instantly, I knew it was time to come back to photography and use it as a tool for individual and social transformation.
Fine art nude photography is at once deeply personal and profoundly universal. As human beings we are extraordinarily unique and complete in ourselves - and, we are part of an infinite universe where we're all connected.
I work with women to capture this truth.
Why women?
Since I was young, I had the feeling that there was some kind of code among men. Almost all men I knew spoke about women with some sort of authority - as though they were certain about what women wanted, what women thought, what women felt, and what women needed. Their authority seemed to go beyond an idea of knowledge - it felt like a sense of entitlement.
I never understood this code amongst men, and what they were saying about women never seemed to make much sense. So, I decided to learn more about women the only way that did make sense - spending time with them and asking questions.
I quickly discovered that none of those men had any idea what they were talking about.
I also discovered that I loved spending time with women and learning more about the feminine world.
There is a whole universe inside each woman. A sophisticated spirit and rhythm that is so deeply connected with nature. A woman's body is profoundly intelligent, her intuition is sharp, and her power is fierce.
And yet, we live in a world that continues to try and minimise that intelligence, discredit that intuition and take away that power.
The naked woman's body continues to be criticised, scrutinised, controlled and sexualised without her consent. I see fine art nude photography as one of the many ways for women to reclaim their bodies as their own. This is my artistic method to respect the feminine, and be an ally to women reclaiming their bodies, voices and power.
"Being naked is a powerful expression of freedom - a celebration of the human form in all its glory. It represents a return to purity and the simplicity of just being. It’s a living art that doesn’t hang in a museum, but walks, breathes, and experiences the world. It’s our body that carries us on adventures. It is the vessel that brings new lives into existence."
- Dalila Travaglia