Vitruvian Women invite

I have launched a new body image project that will be displayed in the Gem Center for the Arts in Boise, Idaho as part of the Reveal Mission.

Body Image Stories, NewsChad EstesApril 12, 2019Body Image, Body positivity, Art show, art project, boise, HAESComment

Rise Above

“My only rule for this is that you never look down on me. I’m better than your pity. The reason that I don’t normally share my story is that I’m in a better place than I should be. My reality is that I should either be dead or a crack-whore. I’m absolutely one of those girls that is from the wrong side of the tracks,” she pauses, “but I’ve made it to the other side.”

What Didn't Kill Me Made Me Stronger

A couple of years ago I was contacted by a young lady in high school who heard that I was helping people share their scar stories. Cara told me she had a gnarly scar that ran the length of her spine due to a scoliosis surgery. She was getting into modeling and didn’t want the scar to hold her back in any way. She asked if we could do a photo shoot together that shared her scar.

Body Image StoriesChad EstesMarch 28, 2014Back brace, body image, model, scar, scoliosis, CaraComment

A Toxic Relationship

Rebekka didn’t have body image issues until she was 18 years old. Although she never considered herself slim, she didn’t give a whole lot of attention to her weight when it came to her self image. It changed once she was married.

Body Image StoriesChad EstesSeptember 30, 2013Rebekka, Breast Feeding, abuse, biopoler, birth, depression, pregnancy, suicide, weight gain Comment

Holding Out Hope

She was sitting at a computer at school, working with her classmates on a project. One of her friends standing behind her gave her the startling news, “Hope, your hair…, its gone in the back…”

It is one thing to be a mid-40’s male whose mop is gradually thinning into obscurity, it is quite another when you are a young lady in the 5th grade with gorgeous tresses of hair.

Body Image StoriesChad EstesMay 10, 2012Alopecia, Hair Loss, Body Image, HopeComment

Being Stretched over Stretch Marks

“I actually had the thought it might be kinda cool to do a few pictures with the stretch marks and imperfections, but have my kids in the pictures with me. Then every time I see those pictures and the stretch marks, I would be reminded of the blessings that I have because of my scars.”

Body Image StoriesChad EstesMay 5, 2012acceptance, body image, mother's day, shape of a mother, stretch marksComment

This is My Body

For years my mom has heard the cruel judgments of callous men when she viewed her face in a mirror or photograph. I’ve been praying that God would silence those words and reveal to my mom how He views her – how I view her.

Her journey of grace has come to a beautiful place of acceptance. When she heard that her church was hosting an art show with the theme of Overcoming, she asked me to help write her story and take a new portrait.

Body Image StoriesChad EstesApril 26, 2012Beautiful, brain tumor, Judi Estes, Overcomer, portrait, smile Comment