I don’t want to be beautiful. I want to be strong. As the world falls apart, I want to find within me the strength to move forward. I want to draw attention for being myself. I want those that follow me to do so because I am a good leader. I want to be known for my sense of humour and independence, and when I leave, I want to be remembered for my good deeds and my way of living life. I don’t want beauty to be the standard upon which I am valued, but rather myself. I never hid away, and I always defended my ideas, values, and integrity. Despite the many times I fall, I always found a way to spread my wings and take flight.
I never pursued beauty, because I knew that eventually it would fade. While I gravitated towards beauty, I learnt that it doesn’t thrive on the best smile or body, but rather in all the components that make up the person. Beauty shines brighter when filled with our efforts, struggles, and imperfections.
Wanting her daughters to value themselves and be immune to a world filled with false precepts, vicious criticism, and abuse, photographer Kate T. Parker began her Strong is the New Pretty project. She began to photograph her young daughters in their moments of joy and fun, so one day in the future they can remember how beautiful life can be without worries, and when smiles are genuine.
These are images inspire strength within a world of chaos and imperfections.
“There’s a lot of pressure for girls ―and women― to look a certain way, act in [a] certain manner, and I wanted to let my daughters know that who they naturally are is enough. I started to see patterns and recognize that the images of strength where when the girls were authentically captured. The images that showed the girls as they genuinely are, are my favorites.”
“This kind of girl —who has dirt on her shoes and doesn’t want to put a bow in her hair— she’s beautiful, too.”
This personal viewpoint might explain why Strong is the New Pretty feels so intensely powerful: It’s authentic. We see her daughters Ella, age 9, and Alice, age 6, having fun with their friends. Between soccer matches and dancing under the rain with their mouths open, each day is new and filled with possibilities.
This is how life should always be, limitless and fearless.
Through these portraits, she wants to teach them that in order to succeed and feel good you have to be yourself.
