24-year-old, UK-based fashion and portrait photographer Sophie Mayanne is the artist behind the photography project called “Behind the Scars.” This project celebrates the tumbles and victories behind every scar by capturing them in a different light through a series of photos showcasing them as wonderful imperfections. Sophie’s vision is to reveal the uniqueness of every scar in that they come in different shapes and sizes but also each one carries its own compelling story.
The “Behind the Scars” project encompasses self-love and self-empowerment. Sophie explains,
“Behind The Scars is a celebration of beauty, of flaws, of battles won and obstacles overcome. It is about survival, living beyond that and capturing the memories. It is truly an honest depiction of how our history, shown through these scars does not define us but compels us.”
Within this portfolio, Sophie invites people to embrace the beauty in what society sees as a flaw. Scars are personal and accepting them isn’t an easy perspective to have but with this project, Sophia aims to show the world that scars are beautiful because they’re part of someone’s history– they’re a triumphant badge, a symbol of recovery from an illness, or even marks of past or current personal struggles.
In a video with Zoomin.TV, Sophie shares part of her mission with the Behind the Scenes Project:
“I would like to change society’s perception of body but it’s not something that will happen overnight. I’m just one person and once I can do my best to reach as many people as possible, hopefully it’ll create a domino effect.”
Sophie hopes that this project inspires people to embrace their scars and other physical imperfections. She says,
“If these images help us to think differently about scarring, and for those that “wear” these scars, to look differently at not only the imperfections, but the individuality these marks might engender, then for me, I would deem the project a success.”
Here are some of our favorite photos from Sophie Mayanne’s Behind the Scars project.
Ronnie obtained this scar before he even turned one. “When I was six months old I had an operation on my stomach to move everything upwards about 3 inches as I had a gap in my oesophagus.”
Ashleigh’s scars are a result self-harm since she was a young girl. “I’ve struggled with self harm since I was 8. For as long as I can remember, my emotions have been very intense, this was one of the ways I learnt to cope.”
Isabella got caught in a house fire that burned her skin. “My scars and scar tissue continue to change, but I have never felt more beautiful.”
Andrea acquired the scars all over her body from multiple events in her life. “The scars on my left arm and face were given to me by a deranged person out for revenge, the worst part it was not meant for me.”
Therryi’s scars are a result of an iron falling on her left hand and later a skin graft to fix the area. “I’ve had limited use of my left hand for over 25 years. The skin graft was taken from my hip which healed as Keloid skin, leaving me with two lifetime scars.”
Cari went through a spinal fusion surgery that left a scar going down her back. “I have two 12″ metal roads and 12 metal screws all down my spine. I think it’s made me hyper aware how our physical health impacts our mental health.”
Sigita’s scar next to her lip comes from a treatment she received when she was a month old. “I was born with Hemangioma, it was treated when I was a 1 month old baby. Treatment involved Liquid Nitrogen. So I have been left with a scar.”
Michelle’s inspiring journey bore the campaign #scarrednotscared. “I’ve had 15 surgeries, a brain tumour, a punctured intestine, an obstructed bowel, a cyst in my brain and a condition called Hydrocephalus. I grew up without realizing my body was different until one day I wore a bikini and was met with looks of pity and shock.
Louisa is a survivor of a serious car accident. “I have complete amnesia of the accident, so the scars are sort of the only visual representation of what happened.”
Cristina’s scar comes from a 9cm hydatid cyst on her liver. “It did bother me in the beginning, but I remember one day my brother told me that it looks really cool and it makes my belly special.”
Ellen learned to embrace the scars from a condition she had since birth. “I have scarring and stretch marks on my left leg due to the condition Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD), a condition I was born with.”
Abi is a cancer survivor. “They had to hit the cancer hard, as it spreads like wildfire, so they had a gruelling treatment plan which was made up of 12 months undergoing 68 chemotherapies.”
Gemma is a perfect example of someone who’s learned to fully embraced her scars. “I have come to see my body as a wonderful gift – it is uniquely mine, it has taught me things nothing else could, it is resilient and it is beautiful.”
Lucia was born with five holes in her heart. “To have an open heart is a true gift in life, and I’m lucky enough to have been opened 3 times.”
