- Sophie Mayenne has launched a project to change the perception of scars
- Featuring portraits and stories from those who’ve hidden their wounds
- She hopes the project entitled ‘Behind The Scars’ will have a positive impact
Revealing imperfections can be intimidating in a society obsessed with photo filters and social media selfies.
But these men and women have stripped off to showcase their scars in a bid to challenge our idea of what it means to be ‘beautiful’.
Speaking to FEMAIL, London-based photographer Sophie Mayenne explained she launched her project ‘Behind The Scars‘ to give people a chance to share the stories behind their scars – and how they learned to embrace them.
Sophie said: ‘As a photographer I have always been interested in what society perceives as flaws, and what makes use unique from one another. I believe this is where my interest in scars, and the stories behind them, stems from’.
Each person featured has a personal story which they’ve lived with and transformed into a way to empower themselves. Here, some share their story with FEMAIL…
Isabella (pictured) was scarred during a house fire in 2015 and went on to be treated at the burns unit in Fulham Road
Maya (pictured) suffers from epidermolysis bullosa which causes her skin to bruise easily
Agnes (pictured) survived a gas explosion at the age of 7 which left her with scars that she’s always been comfortable with and loved. She has since undergone 27 reconstructive surgeries
Mercy was scarred when she was burned in a fire that was started as an act of domestic abuse. She now calls them ‘the most precious, and expensive pieces of jewellery’ she owns
Adèle Prieur (pictured) receieved this scar from having several surgeris for bone transplants to treat bone cancer Ewings Sarcoma
Barbara (pictured) was diagnosed with angiosarcoma of the breast in 2014. Despite numerous surgeries and removal of her sternum and four ribs, her cancer recently returned
Iris took 25 years to accept her body after she was left scarred and without two fingers when she was caught up in a fire at just five months old
Bintu, who has had her scar since she was 11 months old, says she doesn’t remember a time without it
Michelle (pictured) begun accepting her body at age 21, after 15 surgeries, a brain tumour, punctured intestine, an obstructed bowel, brain cyst and a condition called Hydrocephalus
Hannah has scars from the autoimmune disease Morphea and from years of self harming
Zuzanna (pictured) suffers from rare disease hemimelia, which has caused her to have operations in both hands. She has recently learn’t not to hide her scars
Billy (pictured) was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma aged 18 and was left with a long scar in his thigh as his femur was replaced with titanium. He sees his scar as a symbol of health
Chloe (pictured) begun self harming at age 13 and learned to accept her scars after plastic surgeons revealed they couldn’t reduce their appearance
Jessica (pictured) was scarred during a car accident at age 8. After 10 days in a coma she awoke to the surprise of doctors. Her scars have remained as tattoos marking a new chapter
Hebe (pictured) found a new respect for her body after surgery to correct her scoliosis left her with a long scar across the centre of her back
Samanta Bullock (pictured) gained her scars and a lifetime in a wheelchair after playing with a handgun at age 14. She has now built a career as a tennis player and model
Grace (pictured) sees the scar on her stomach and the dent in her head from brain surgery as a collection of markings and memories which she has loved