Photographer With Vitiligo Takes Pictures Of Other Women With The Same Condition (35 Pics)
When she was 25, photographer Elisabeth Van Aalderen, started noticing some tiny white spots on her skin that later turned into one bigger spot – it turned out to be vitiligo. Today, it covers 60% of the photographer’s skin.
“When I was diagnosed, I started skin therapy: creams, lightening-therapy, a gluten-free diet, a vegetarian diet, no sun, a lot of sun, yoga. You name it, I tried it all,” said Elizabeth in an interview with Bored Panda. When she realized that nothing works, she stopped the treatments and accepted her condition. “I couldn’t change the fact that I have vitiligo, so I started to embrace it,” said the photographer.
A while ago, Elizabeth started a photography series titled Shades of Pale, where she captures other women with the same condition. She says she was inspired after a girl came up to her and said her skin looks like a “unique tattoo”. “During my day-to-day job as a photographer, people asked me a lot of questions about my skin. This made me wonder: why not use these two experiences, photography and my skin condition?” said the photographer. She believes that photography is a wonderful way of documenting and celebrating the vitiligo body. “It is an ode to its beauty and uniqueness,” says Elizabeth.
“About 60 million people around the globe have vitiligo, yet there are a lot of people who don’t know what it is. I also want to tell the story of strong women that celebrate their beauty which, in this case, distinguishes them from others,” explained Elizabeth. “I want to portray women who embrace their skin. I don’t want people to look at vitiligo as something ‘out of the box’. When it comes to beauty, I believe there is no box. All types of beauty need to be inclusive. Beauty can be whatever you want it to be.”
Elisabeth has photographed women in all shapes and sizes from all over the world and says that for them, the experience wasn’t just a way to express themselves creatively – it has also been incredibly therapeutic. “About 90% of them hadn’t been in front of a camera. They really stepped out of their comfort zone. It feels very rewarding that the photoshoot contributed to their self-confidence,” says the photographer. “For many women I have portrayed, it was a process of healing and acceptance. It is wonderful that there is such a big community on social media which has made me able to connect with all these beautiful individuals. It has been such a positive journey, for me and for the ones I portrayed.”
Check out Elisabeth’s sensual photos of women with vitiligo in the gallery below!
More info: elisabethva.com | Instagram
#1
Image source: elisabethva
“She couldn’t wear her spots with more pride. Such an inspiring woman”
#2
Image source: elisabethva
“I feel so incredibly honored to photograph Sharista and just cant get over how beautiful she is, inside and out. Such a kind soul and a fearless power woman. She inspires so many out there with”
#3
Image source: elisabethva
“Today I photographed Emely for the vitiligo project. She is such a stunning and confident Cape Verdean woman!”
#4
Image source: elisabethva
#5
Image source: elisabethva
“She couldn’t wear her spots with more pride. Such an inspiring woman”
#6
Image source: elisabethva
“I had the privilege to photograph my 3rd subject of the vitiligo project Marie Lenander. I feel so honored she traveled to Amsterdam to take part of this. This project is all about body positivity and to celebrate our uniqueness and embracing the vitiligo body and its esthetic.
For me it was also very special to get up close and personal with someone who had the same struggles as me, and as many young woman all over the world who are trying to fit in. Why should you even want to fit in, if you were born to be unique?”
#7
Image source: elisabethva
#8
Image source: elisabethva
#9
Image source: elisabethva
#10
Image source: elisabethva
“Beautiful Emilie in front of my lens. I found here on Instagram, totally embracing her vitiligo body. It moved me. When you both have the same struggles and overcome the same fears, it immediately creates a bond. Vitiligo is such a powerful thing; it makes you stand out, it forces you to embrace your unique beauty. Let’s all celebrate that. —- This project is all about body positivity and to celebrate our uniqueness and embracing the vitiligo body and its esthetic”
#11
Image source: elisabethva
#12
Image source: elisabethva
“Beautiful Padminie Gajadhar such a gracious and powerful woman. I am so grateful she let me take her picture”
#13
Image source: elisabethva
“Sometimes you meet people who fill your hart with joy. Anna flew in from Budapest to join the shades of pale series. Our vitiligo is so similar, it’s insane. She could be my younger beautiful sister. Thanks Anna for traveling to Amsterdam and making a new friend”
#14
Image source: elisabethva
“When coffee compliments your skin.”
#15
Image source: elisabethva
“Beautiful Padminie Gajadhar such a gracious and powerful woman. I am so grateful she let me take her picture”
#16
Image source: elisabethva
“Last week I photographed my 5th subject: Gaby. I feel so honored she took part of this, although she was a little bit nervous. We talked about how to cope with the struggle to accept something you can’t control. Vitiligo can take over our skin, but can’t take over our pride and awesomeness! That’s what’s Gaby all about: an awesome freakin’ woman”
#17
Image source: elisabethva
#18
Image source: elisabethva
“I had the privilege to photograph my 6th subject of the vitiligo project Emilie. I feel so honored she traveled to Amsterdam to take part of this. This project is all about body positivity and to celebrate our uniqueness and embracing the vitiligo body and its esthetic”
#19
Image source: elisabethva
#20
Image source: elisabethva
“I had the privilege to photograph my first subject of the vitiligo project Natalie. I feel so honored she traveled to Amsterdam to take part of this. This project is all about body positivity and to celebrate our uniqueness and embracing the vitiligo body and it’s esthetic.
For me it was also very special to get up close and personal with someone who had the same struggles as me, and as many young woman all over the world who are trying to fit in.
Why should you even want to fit in, if you were born to be unique?”
#21
Image source: elisabethva
#22
Image source: elisabethva
“Sometimes you meet people who fill your hart with joy. Anna flew in from Budapest to join the shades of pale series. Our vitiligo is so similar, it’s insane. She could be my younger beautiful sister. Thanks Anna for traveling to Amsterdam and making a new friend”
#23
Image source: elisabethva
#24
Image source: elisabethva
“Such a strong woman. Thank you Anna to take your picture”
#25
Image source: elisabethva
“Beautiful Sara. A biology student with a passion for rowing. I feel so honored she take part of this”
#26
Image source: elisabethva
#27
Image source: elisabethva
#28
Image source: elisabethva
#29
Image source: elisabethva
“Let me start by saying I love my vitiligo skin, and love all the unique girls I had in front of my camera, celebrating their spots. But it doesn’t mean we never struggle.
For me this time of year is when I struggle the most. It is getting warmer, and we expose our skin more on the outside world. I do feel confident in my own skin, but vitiligo is often a life-changing condition that turns your world upside down.”
#30
Image source: elisabethva
“Beautiful Maria flew in, all the way from Colorado. Vitiligo to her is “letting go”. Literally we are saying goodbye to our melatonin, but in the bigger sense we are breaking free from our perception of beauty.
This project is to help break the boundaries and encourage others to be their most authentic selves. Beauty can be whatever you want it to be”
#31
Image source: elisabethva
“Beautiful Emilie. Vitiligo is such a powerful thing; it makes you stand out, it forces you to embrace your unique beauty. Let’s all celebrate that. —- This project is all about body positivity and to celebrate our uniqueness and embracing the vitiligo body and its esthetic”
#32
Image source: elisabethva
“Some more output of my second subject of the vitiligo project Indy. I feel so honored she traveled to Amsterdam to take part of this. This project is all about body positivity and to celebrate our uniqueness and embracing the vitiligo body and it’s esthetic.”
#33
Image source: elisabethva
“My favorite girl from Paris. Emilie Bouchet”
#34
Image source: elisabethva
#35
Image source: elisabethva
“Yesterday the 2nd subject of the vitiligo project Indy Stokje visited me to get photographed by me. I feel so honored she traveled to Amsterdam to take part of this. It was such a fun and relaxed shoot, and it was so nice to get to know her. I was blown away by here confidence.”
Got wisdom to pour?