A photographer has created a very unique photo series to encourage others to stop Photoshopping their pictures.
Peter DeVito, 20, an illustration student from New York, used to heavily alter his own pictures before posting them online.
However, the talented snapper, who is studying illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology, recently started posting pictures of people with acne (including himself) on his Instagram page, to try to remove the stigma surrounding the skin condition.
Brave: Peter DeVito (pictured), 20, a photographer from New York, used to heavily Photoshop his own pictures but has since stopped to create a powerful movement online
Honest: Inspired by the body positivity movement, Devito’s images have removed the stigma surrounding acne and skin conditions. Pictured is model Leia Immanuel
In each picture, the subject has been photographed up close, without makeup, so their faces and skin are completely exposed.
Words, expressions and even a lyric from Kendrick Lamar’s Humble have been placed on top of the subject’s acne to draw attention to it, and also give the pictures some added meaning.
Speaking to Elle.com about what motivated him to embark on such an honest project, DeVito explained: ‘I was really inspired because a lot of people on social media started posting things about body positivity and self-acceptance, but I felt like there was an absence of people with acne.’
DeVito shared that he started getting acne in the 8th grade, so he began taking photos of himself to lift a ‘huge weight’ off his shoulders.
Experiment: DeVito said he started getting acne in the 8th grade, so he began taking photos of himself to lift a ‘huge weight’ off his shoulders. Pictured is model Elyanna Banes Sanchez
Grateful: Followers flood the comments section every time DeVito posts a new image, to express their gratitude that his images celebrate the imperfect
Viral: Even celebrities are taking notice of the young artist, including Cara Delevingne who reposted one of DeVito’s pictures
Encouraged by the results, he then started shooting others with acne including models Elyanna Banes Sanchez and Leia Immanuel.
‘The whole point of me posting is to help empower other people,’ DeVito explained. ‘I love seeing other people post their unretouched pictures and they tag me.’
Grateful followers flood the comments section every time DeVito posts a new image, expressing their gratitude that his images celebrate the imperfect and make acne sufferers feel less alone.
Even celebrities are taking notice of the young artist, including Cara Delevingne who reposted his picture featuring Kendrick Lamar’s Humble lyric, ‘I’m so f**king sick and tired of the Photoshop.’
DeVito hopes to continue the project and hopes people will ‘accept themselves more’ when they see his images, instead of comparing themselves to unrealistic beauty standards.