Breast cancer is not a pink ribbon

That’s the tagline or “The Scar Project”, personal work by New York and Sydney based fashion photographer David Jay, who takes uncompromising topless portraits of post-mastectomy breast cancer survivors to raise awareness of the real marks the disease leaves on women’s lives. Some of the women have had reconstructive surgery and some have not.

(All images Copyright 2011 © David Jay Photography)

The images are beautiful and quite moving. Jay says of the experience, “For these young women, having their portrait taken seems to represent their personal victory over this terrifying disease. It helps them reclaim their femininity, their sexuality, identity and power after having been robbed of such an important part of it. Through these simple pictures, they seem to gain some acceptance of what has happened to them and the strength to move forward with pride.”

You can support the project by buying Jay’s book or becoming personally involved.

Thanks to longtime Osocio friend Infopub for sharing this. More images after the break.

See many more images at David Jay’s online gallery.

Comments

great project