Scoliosis Sisterhood

This photo series focuses on the beauty of the scars that make us uniquely us, through the narrative of scoliosis.

Courtney, a mother in Minnesota saw a photo series on my scoliosis journey and contacted me about her daughter, Mary, who recently underwent the same surgery. Together, her mother and I planned a surprise trip to Seattle from Minnesota, a portrait session, and a gallery reception on Wednesday, July 24 with the portraits taken earlier that day. It was therapeutic for me to plan and execute this shoot. As I tried everything in my power to help Mary feel beautiful and empowered, it felt like a second chance for me to rewrite my awkward teenage years. I spent my adolescence feeling ashamed and trying to hide inside my turtle shell of a back brace. This experience taught me to find strength from my scars.

Just a reminder to:

Let your pain give you purpose.

Let your wounds give you wisdom.

Let your fear give you freedom.

Let your scars give you strength.

More info: stephaniejarstad.com

This photo is inspired by a Japanese art form called kintsugi, where broken pottery is pieced back together with lacquer and sealed with gold. The object's golden scar makes it more unique, beautiful and strong.

Mary and I began the day strangers, but ended as sisters. This photo represents how we are connected by our scars and experience. I decided to gold leaf our scars as a metaphor for this personal kintsugi process.

Too many of us feel broken emotionally, spiritually, physically. This golden repair embraces our imperfections, battle scars, vulnerabilities, and lessons learned. Life is rarely what we plan. The path is not straight. In our case, neither are our backs.

I came to master florist, Francoise Weeks with the idea of creating a floral spine that mimics Mary's curvature prior to surgery. Francoise created this breathtaking botanical choker and spine.

Mary is stunning inside and out.

I found this journal entry from 3 years ago when I published my own scoliosis photos. I was terrified to put them out there for whatever reason. I had full intentions of just keeping them for myself to celebrate my personal victory.

I wrote this in my journal three years ago when I shared my photos. "I've been reading Brene Brown's Daring Greatly and she totally got in my head. She asks, "Can you value your own vulnerability as much as you value it in others." As a photographer I ask people to be vulnerable all the time. This time I turned the lens around and I'm documenting a sliver of my own story. I really just want to keep these photos to myself. I'm facing a barrage of internal questions. Is this even worth telling? Is it TMI? My conservative/modest self is totally freaking out right now. I'm trying my best to put those feelings to rest. This is for me. And maybe one 13 year old out there struggling with her body image. Cheers to vulnerability! (I totally suck at it)"

Three years later, I actually got to meet this teenage girl and it made it all worth it.

Our photo shoot was 11-3pm and we surprised Mary with a gallery of the images the same evening at 7pm.
I teamed up with the amazing artists and vendors below who donated their services for the shoot.
Florist: Francoise Weeks
https://francoiseweeks.com/
Hair and Makeup: Hannah Joy
http://hannahgirdleymua.joosee.com/
Northlight Studio
https://northlightseattle.com/
Gallery Venue: The 101 https://the101.828venues.com/
Print Donation: Panda Lab
http://www.pandalab.com/
Gown: Brides For A Cause http://bridesforacause.com/
Kintsugi Artist: Jason Jones
https://www.jonessculpturestudio.com/
Photographer: Stephanie (Jarstad) Moikeha
www.stephaniejarstad.com