Shine OnPhotographer captures beauty of acid-attack survivors in powerful photo shoot
Indian photographer Rahul Saharan's latest photo series, "Shoot for beauty," is getting a lot of attention this week.
The viral series celebrates the beauty and strength of Rupa, Laxmi, Ritu, Sonam, and Chanchal — all acid-attack survivors — who model gorgeous saris and dresses in the photographs.
Saharan, 24, uploaded the photos to Facebook with the following description:
"In spite of taking professional models we took these [beautiful] girls as models [because] they define beauty, courage, postiveness, [SIC] there is so much to beauty and these girls are strong enough to show that these girls love to get photographed i mean they are jst crazy for it v happy to work for dem wid dem :)."
He continues:
"I dedicate this shoot to every women on earth..all of you are [beautiful] from skinny to healthy, dark to fair, tall to short, ebony to porcelain-skinned; the quirky, clumsy, shy, outgoing and all in between so ladies live ur life stay happy no matter who say what you are beautiful believe in it have courage fight back if u stand many will follow you….Rise and shine."
Saharan tells the Daily Mail that the response to the photo series has been overwhelming.
"I have been associated with Chhaon for the last two-and-half years but this is the first time I feel like I've put my skills to good use to help these lovely girls," he says. "I feel blessed to have got this exclusive opportunity."
Chhaon is a support centre for acid-attack survivors.
"I kept telling the girls, 'Don't let others tell you what beauty is, you yourself are beautiful, every woman is beautiful,'" he adds.
One of the models, Rupa, 22, designed the clothing featured in the shoot. She is currently raising money to open her own boutique so she can become financially independent.
In 2008, Rupa's stepmother threw acid in her face while she slept. She underwent multiple operations and spent three months recovering from the assault. Her injuries made it difficult to find work.
"I always wanted to be a designer but after the attack there was a pause in my life. I was so insecure and embarrassed by my scars I used to cover my face with a scarf," she tells the Daily Mail.
"I always hung onto my dream but I never knew that one day it would be possible and I would be launching my own label."
After the attack, Rupa got involved with Stop Acid Attacks, the charity that runs Chhaon. There, she began designing her own clothes.
"Chhaon has helped me feel confident again and believe in myself. I have always loved fashion and tailoring but I never thought I could start my own label," she says. "This is the first time I have presented my clothes and I am glad to see them being appreciated."
