PHOTOS & STATEMENTS

The material below is copyright © 2006 by Frank Cordelle.

JESSIE, 14

The reason I agreed to have my picture taken was, I am tired of the stereotype that all nude pictures are dirty. When I saw some of the pictures, it never occurred to me that the women were naked. I really liked the way the pictures were taken. They were very tasteful and respectful to their subjects.

In my session, I was very nervous. I’m not comfortable with my body, and having it duplicated on film increased my self-consciousness. I was very tense and wanted to cover my body, but Frank encouraged me to show my body without flaunting it. I was put at ease and don’t think anyone could have handled it better. Thankx!

Jessie

JIN SOOK, 41

I am the essence of nature.

Jin Sook

(The name “Jin” means “truth”; “Sook” = “full.”)

LUMINA, 54

When Frank showed me his portfolio of Century shots, I was very aware of the respect and caring for women which was so much a part of each photograph. I was struck by the feeling that somehow, posing for him would be a healing and freeing experience for me. At this point in my life I no longer believe in coincidence, and the feeling was strong that I was being offered an opportunity that I would regret turning my back on…this from a woman who has for years tried to avoid being photographed at all costs.

I walked into Frank’s studio feeling almost completely divorced from my body. I’d come a long way in the past year toward making my peace with that attitude—self protective, in part, after a violent rape a little over a year ago that put me in the hospital for eight days, severely injured internally as well as emotionally. The physical injuries healed, and I dealt, in one way, with the emotional pain and confusion by cutting my “self” off from my body…I tried to believe that my body was somehow apart from “me”—my soul, spirit, inner self. Intellectually, of course, I knew this was ridiculous, but I chose to see my body through bruised emotions—not my mind’s eye.

Another contributor to this detachment was the fact that I had had breast implants over 25 years ago. I had accepted my then husband’s verdict that my breasts were no longer as firm and attractive as they had been when we were married. For all those years I had never come to terms with this, so, for me to stand naked facing the camera—no props, no poses, just me—was painful at first. A deep sadness, along with some anger, wells up in me over what had been done, what I had allowed to be done to myself over the years…and I wasn’t able to hold back the tears.

I found, though, that by the end of the session I was able to acknowledge to myself the hurts and disappointments I’ve suffered in the past, but no longer feel defeated or separated by them. I’m strong in the knowledge that these—while all a part of who I am today—will no longer hold power over me.

I feel as if I’ve walked through a wall which I never have to step back behind again—a joyous feeling and one for which I am truly grateful.

Lumina

WINNIE, 39

It makes me sad sometimes when I think of the dreadful things that I’ve put this body through. I also feel what is sometimes an overwhelming sense of gratitude because it has seen me this far.

At age 8, my uncle began to sexually molest me. It lasted a year and of course I felt I deserved it ’cause I was a bad girl. I wanted it to stop and screamed silently to my mother, who lay asleep (passed out) in her bed while he carried me past her open door. At 9, I decided no one was going to save me, that I had to put an end to it myself. Which I did.

I got pregnant at 13 (when I think back, it may have been deliberate), which gave me something to live for, as I had become extremely suicidal. Due to all my self-esteem issues and also the knowledge that men always wanted my body, I became a prostitute and had a 15-year love affair with heroin.

It became everything I had missed in my life: comfort, security, love, and nurturing. It accepted me unconditionally, not just when I was good.

The years of heroin use left my body scarred, just as the partners I chose did. I can trace every love partner I’ve had in my life by the scars on my body. When others weren’t hurting me, I was doing it to myself.

Today I accept my body just as it is. My scars are my medals. I’ve earned them.

         Winnie

FLORENCE, 70

Florence was one of the first older women I asked to model for me. She clearly wanted to, but, with a touch of vanity, decided she had to lose five pounds first. Every now and then I would run into her and she would laugh and announce that she was still working on it. Then I lost track of her for a while and wound up photographing several other older women in the meantime.

A few months later, I was waiting in the check-out line of a local supermarket. All the registers were backed up with bored and impatient customers. Looking over my shoulder, there was Florence, a few shoppers astern. I waved hello.

Florence, who as you can tell from the picture, usually speaks with the volume cranked up, replied:

“I’m still trying to get it ready for you, Baby!”

Dozens of people jerked their heads around, looking first at her, then at me, and back again, seeking an explanation. They never got it.

I photographed Florence a few days later, presumably including the aforementioned five pounds!