What These Insecure People Have To Show Us On Their Bodies Will Open Your Heart And Mind
"What I Be Project" is a powerful portrait series by photographer Steve Rosenfield that features individuals who have bravely opted to bear their insecurities on their bodies.
By Sadho Ram — 16 Jan 2014, 09:03 AM — Updated over 10 years ago
'What I Be' is a project about honesty and empowerment. In the ongoing 1000+ photo series, people are asked to complete the following statement:
“I am not my ____________ “
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The project started some 12 years ago when Steve Rosenfield was working a 9-to-5 job. While successful, he wasn't happy. In his website, Steve says:
I was a very opinionated and materialistic person with a huge ego and I thought being successful meant having a 9 to 5 and making a ton of money. I never shared my feelings or insecurities because I was scared of how I would look to others.
whatibeproject.com
I never opened up and that created a lack in my relationships where people were scared to open up to me because they saw me as “blunt”. I eventually started to realize how unhappy I truly was so I started reading and journaling and further understanding that, in order to be happy, I needed to be more open and honest with people.
whatibeproject.com
Steve says that he needed to be more compassionate which, in turn, made people feel safe around him because he was open to them. So he quit his job in 2002 and started traveling all over the world.
With a new mindset and fresh start, he quickly began making secure bonds and establishing strong connections with new friends.
whatibeproject.com
Steve tried to have no judgements towards the people he was meeting and saw no “flaws” because he had made himself aware of the fact that we all struggle, we all have our ‘flaws,’ and we all have our insecurities. He saw everyone as normal people on this road together called life.
whatibeproject.com
The project physically started in 2010 when one night he asked his friend Amanda to display her greatest insecurity proudly on her body. And she did.
On his website, Steve writes: "I wrote “thunder thighs” on Amanda’s hand, alongside the photograph she came up with the statement, “I am not my body image.” And thus, the “What I Be” project was made."
whatibeproject.com
Writing about the origin of the name of the project, Steve says that the name “What I Be” came from his friend Michael Franti's song “What I Be”
"Michael’s song, “What I Be” is basically all about being who you are and being the best you that you can be. I loved the song and decided that the meaning behind the song was completely fitting for what my project is all about and this is where the name of my project came from," writes Steve on his site.
whatibeproject.com
After Amanda, more than thousands of people have already participated in the ongoing project, revealing a wide range of issues they have with themselves.
Whether it be a physical, mental, or social insecurity, each person brands their face and body with words that have scarred them.
The collection of images, though simple in their composition, offer plenty of food for thought.
While one young man's arm is stamped with "TOO SKINNY" another has "YOU'RE TOO BIG FOR THIS RIDE" etched on his hand. Each struggles with his size, despite being on opposite ends of the spectrum.
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The series unveils the many insecurities that exist in the world and how no one is immune to feeling a lack of confidence in themselves. However, these insecurities do not define them.
Below are some of our favourite photos from the project that show the people embrace their insecurities with pride...
"I encourage every viewer to look at each image and put yourself in the individuals shoes," says Steve. "By allowing yourself to feel what they feel, you might realize something you’ve never noticed before."
"In today’s society, we are told to look or act a certain way. If we differ from these 'standards,' we are often judged, ridiculed, and sometimes even killed over them. I started this project in hopes to open up the lines of communication, and to help everyone accept diversity with an open mind and heart."
whatibeproject.com