Body Positivity
A growing number of New Zealand women are stepping out of their comfort zone and in front of the lens, as they celebrate themselves and their bodies with the help of a German-Japanese photographer based in Raglan.
Beautiful portraits that celebrate the goddess within
There are times in a woman’s life when she may feel at odds with her body. Perhaps as a young woman she felt it developed too fast, too slow, or not in the way society expected. Whether it’s her words or others’ creating the narrative, the act of allowing oneself to let go of negative self-talk and celebrate one’s own body can often prove elusive.
Recently, however, more New Zealand women are finding selfempowerment through the lens of photographer, Nami Julia Hampe. Fun and playful, Nami’s Goddess Shoots are designed to celebrate the beauty and variety of the female form against a backdrop of stunning local scenery.
Born in Germany to a Japanese mother and a German father, Nami moved to New Zealand 12 years ago, intending to stay for a year, but after falling in love with the country found work photographing wildlife and the occasional wedding, before eventually settling in Raglan.
Often photographing friends, it was the response of one woman to her photos that cemented Nami’s calling to create her Goddess Shoots. “She cried when she saw them, saying, ‘I never thought I’d do this in my lifetime,’” recalls Nami. “It helped me see my work in a new light and by making this woman feel beautiful I found great joy.”
As word spread, Nami’s business has grown and she now has women from all walks of life travelling across New Zealand to take part in her shoots.
“No matter our age or ethnic background, we all have this inner voice saying, ‘I want to be seen, I want to feel beautiful,’” says Nami. “Whether she is a prison officer or police officer, a mother or a teacher, at the core, all these women want to feel like a goddess.”
While the motivation may be there, stepping out of one’s comfort zone can be daunting but Nami believes the natural surroundings of Raglan support her clients during this process.
“It’s natural to be nervous, but the energy is amazing here and before long I see how being in nature helps. Feeling the sand on your toes and the sun or rain on your skin is so core to our being, there is always some aspect of magic that unfolds in front of the lens as the woman comes out of her shell.”
“Feeling the sand on your toes and the sun or rain on your skin is so core to our being, there is always some aspect of magic that unfolds in front of the lens as the woman comes out of her shell.”
Since the advent of photography, the space behind the lens has largely been dominated by men, with women initially depicted in stiff poses reflecting their roles within domestic life. During the war years, flirty photos of pin-up girls and private boudoir shoots were sent to the troops to boost morale through the sexualisation of women represented as waiting at home.
As more women pick up cameras, the focus has shifted to themes including gender identity, sexuality and womanhood, as seen through the female gaze. For many of Nami’s clients, exploring these themes may involve some nudity, but it’s always optional and agreed upon before the shoot.
“There’s something so special about having a photo that shows you in your rawest form, and by stepping into their power, these women are saying, ‘I am a strong woman and even though I take some nude photos, I should still be respected,’” she says. “To me, nudity can be sensual and beautiful, and in my photos, I show that you can look at a female body differently.”
For those who still feel self-conscious, Nami always asks what they are learning to love about their body. “By knowing her insecurities, I can emphasise her strengths. There are ways to photograph a woman to make her look the way she would most love and I never remove anything natural during editing. Later, these women say to me ‘I never realised my curves looked so womanly’, or, ‘I‘ve never liked my smile but actually it’s cute because it’s imperfect.’ Others have learnt to love cellulite, stretch marks, caesarean scars as well as how they look with less make-up.”
For those considering a shoot but still feeling unsure, Nami offers some advice. “Allow yourself to feel beautiful, it doesn’t mean you’re vain. A lot of women are scared but know that your uniqueness will outshine everything that you have compared yourself to before.”
And after long days shooting and hours spent editing, what are the benefits for Nami?
“If I can make one woman feel beautiful through my photography, if I can empower them and allow them to be more loving towards themselves and others, then I can honestly say that I have found my purpose.”
“By knowing her insecurities, I can emphasise her strengths. Later, these women say to me ‘I never realised my curves looked so womanly’, or, ‘I‘ve never liked my smile but actually it’s cute because it’s imperfect’.”