I’ve always watched the swimmers at the end of my street and admired them, all different shapes and sizes taking to the sea. I’ve marvelled at those who continued to dip throughout the winter months when the waters can be icy cold and I wanted to find out what compels them to do it.
I knew they would make beautiful portraits which would be an antidote to the bombardment of perfect lives and bodies that we are so used to seeing.
I put out a model call out on my socials and had a brilliant response with so many people wanting to participate. I set the date and we shot all of the portraits on the beach at the end of my street.
All of the swimmers told me that they had never done anything like this before and they were stepping way outside of their comfort zones to be photographed in their swimwear, I think we all understood it was a brave thing to do as we have all been encouraged to think that only one body type is beautiful.
I'm proud of the swimmers for taking part, I love the joy that can be found in the images and the courage that can be heard in their stories.
