1,001 Photos That Find Beauty in Every Butt
Montreal-based photographer Emili Mercier, 29, shot nude models throughout her 20s in the name of art, but it wasn't until she and her best friend, artistic director Frédérique Marseille, 28, found themselves commiserating over their cellulite and stretch marks that they decided to do something even bolder: Create an entire collection of 1,001 butt photographs. Seeing so many together, they thought, would help them (and other women) feel better about their own backsides.
The pair launched the project in November 2014 and have since shot about 170 women's butts in several cities for a project they call 1001 Fesses ("Fesses" is French for butts). They publish the images to their website, Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram, although several photos on their Instagram account have been censored following recent attention.
A post shared by 1001fesses (@1001fesses_project) on Aug 13, 2017 at 8:03am PDT
Although the founders are worried their account will be shut down again - that fear was realized in 2015 - they're not hitting the breaks. "Our goal is to unveil beauty in every shape and every body," Emili says. "I really hope it will help others see how they should not be so [hard on] themselves."
To cast their models, all of whom are volunteers, Emili and Frédérique travel to various locations - they crowdsource their travel budget - and post call-outs on Facebook, which are often shared. The first several women who respond are the chosen ones, and they get to select where they are photographed, although the founders hope to attract a wider range of races and ages. "Some people have been criticizing the fact that most of the models who have already participated are in their twenties and caucasian," their website reads. "This is not a choice, we just wish more and more women will wish to participate!"
On set, the women chat and drink tea (it's a matter of ritual that makes everyone feel more comfortable), and are then asked to strip down and wrap up in a robe or blanket. Frédérique stands in for the photograph while Emili tests the lighting, and then the model derobes. Emili spends up to 15 minutes taking three or four shots while Frédérique cracks jokes to prevent awkward silences.
Because Emili takes an old-school approach to her photography, shooting with film instead of digital, the models don't get to see their photographs until later on, when Emili sends digitized copies. Only then, she asks the model for permission to publish the images. "Most of the women are impressed by the beauty of the image, as if it was somebody else. But at the same time, they are very judgmental [of themselves]," she says.
Sarah Daniel, 26, is a 1001 Fesses model who posed in a wooded area near Frédérique’s home near Montreal in May. The volunteer was inspired to pose to promote body diversity after noticing that many of the friends she found most gorgeous suffered from the same self-esteem issues she did. She says she loved her photos. "It pushed me to love and accept the way I am a little more, no matter how I look," she says.
After seeing so many other women's butts in the flesh, Emili and Frédérique continue to be surprised. "They are all different! I never thought it would be that different from woman to woman! I always knew there was so much diversity, but never really saw any examples,"Frédérique says.
Emili says the project has helped her overcome her tendency to hate on her body and come to terms with her insecurities: "Fred and I always joke that after seeing so many butts, we discover we have the most cellulite and stretch marks in the world!"
But neither women have anything to hide: Emili and Frédérique have both posed for the project. You can see their butts and others here, and join the 1001 Fesses Facebook group to find out when they're in your area so you can volunteer your own butt.
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