Photographer raises more than $40,000 to fund book featuring stunning nude images of plus-size women which pays tribute to the beauty of natural curves
- New Yorker Victoria Janashvili is publishing a new book, entitled Curves, which features a number of nude images of plus-size women
- She raised $40,072 dollars in one month on Kickstarter for the publication of the book
A fashion photographer is hoping to change the way that society views curvaceous women after raising more than $40,000 in just one month to fund the publication of a book featuring a series of images which celebrate fuller-figured women.
New Yorker Victoria Janashvili, the woman behind coffee table book Curves, has had her work featured by the likes of GQ, Maxim, Esquire and Cosmopolitan, but insists that her 'personal projects' have always aimed to highlight the beauty of women with more normal bodies, rather than the slim models often pictured in the pages of magazines.
At the start of 2015, the photographer raised a total of $40,072 dollars on Kickstarter in order to fund the publication of the 140-page book, noting on her page that her 'personal projects have always been aimed to portray a healthy and more relatable model'.
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Fierce females: Fashion photographer Victoria Janashvili photographed 70 women of all sizes, including plus-size model Joby Bach (pictured), for her 140-page book Curves
Online campaign: The New Yorker $40,072 dollars on Kickstarter in January to fund the publication of the 140-page book
'When we reached our goal, I could not believe it. I had to triple-check,' Ms Janashvili told the New York Post.
Instead of enjoying a planned trip to Bali that January, the photographer canceled her vacation and began working on the project. She spent three months shooting 70 women, including her crew and herself.
Ms Janashvili told the outlet that she photographed herself last and wasn't sure if the pictured would be included in the book until the end.
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What the people want: Ms Janashvili said she was shocked when she learned that she had reached her financial goal and could begin working on her project
Beautiful rose: Albino model Diandra Forrest (pictured) stripped down to nothing for her photoshoot with Ms Janashvili
'I don’t really like the image, but the whole point of the book is self-acceptance. That being said, I’m still working on myself, just like most women on their journey of self-love,' she explained.
Ms Janashvili enlisted the help of plus-size models Denise Bidot, who has featured in campaigns for Nordstrom, Levi's and Old Navy, and Marina Bulatkina, who recently modeled for discount fashion store Century 21, both of whom agreed to pose nude for the book.
Curves also features albino model Diandra Forrest, non-models, including Josette Ulibarri, a woman without any limbs, and slender lingerie model Donna Feldman.
Team effort: In addition to photos of models and non-models, the book also features pictures of Ms Janashvili and her crew
Professional poser: Ms Janashvili said she included this image of slim lingerie model Donna Feldnman in the book because 'everybody’s journey is so different'
'To me, it was as important to show "perfect" girls like this, as well as girls like Josette and Diandra, because everybody’s journey is so different,' she noted. 'What I’m trying to say is that they’re equally interesting - whether they’re big or small or [traditionally beautiful] or not.'
In general, Ms Janashvili said she chose women 'who've found peace with how they look and who they are'.
'I feel very happy that the fashion magazines and [the] media in general [have] started to embrace a healthier image of a "beautiful woman" and that is why I strongly believe that this art book can help make a change even more,' she explained on her Kickstarter page.
Risqué business: Plus-size models Denise Bidot and Marina Bulatkina both pose nude in the art photography book
Let's get real: Ms Janashvili hopes that Curves will encourage women to feel more confident about their own body image
'Even though the average American woman is a size 14, our society continues to set stereotypes as standards when it relates to the real body image of women,' Ms Janashvili added.
'This is why I spent years of my time taking pictures of different types of models and took part [in] numerous body image awareness campaigns that went viral, and caused lots of discussions.
'Through my book, I would like to continue to spread the mission and break social stereotypes, so we can take a stand on women feeling confident within their own skin.'
'Your wife, your daughter, your girlfriend, you': The photographer hopes that her book will appeal to women - and men - of all ages and body types
Feel the love: Ms Janashvili insists that the 'future of healthy booties' depends on the publication of her book
'Your wife, your daughter, your girlfriend, your mother and most importantly YOU, will look at yourself differently, more [healthily], and more importantly, less; by expanding, and then reclaiming, the discussion about appearance, we can remove some of the focus from it in women’s lives, old and young,' she writes.
'We love your booty. Get it behind this book. The future of healthy booties, big and small, may depend on it.'
Ms Janashvili has been praised by women from around the world as a result of the book, with many hailing her as an 'inspiration' to people of all ages and body types.
'I feel better about my body now': The book has had support from women around the world, including a 62-year-old grandmother from Puerto Rico who praised Ms Janashvili the perfect role model
Breathtaking: Many people have commented how beautiful each of the images in the book are
'As someone who is considered plus size, your work is simply breathtaking,' one woman wrote.
'Seeing women feel as beautiful as they do in your photographs inspires me more than you could imagine.'
Another added: 'I am a 62-year-old grandmother, who lives in Puerto Rico.Today I was thinking I didn't want to die without having some sexy pictures taken.
'I never had the nerve to do it while I was young because I was always self conscious about my body, even when I was beautiful and skinny.
'But looking at your photographs and how gorgeous the models look I feel better about my body.'
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