One of my instax images was selected to participate in a group exhibition on Bowen Island in B.C. this past December. Being included in this showcase was the perfect way to end the year; a great jumping-off point for 2017. While I was unable to attend the gallery opening, I am extremely grateful for the exposure and inclusion.

I submitted 5 different Instax scans to this call for entries. When submitting to contests I try to include at least one image that I am extremely attached to regardless whether or not someone has validated its strengths. The particular image in this case happened to be titled “Day One” and it depicted a menstrual shower scene. It is a part of the project where I attempted to create an instax image every day back in 2014. I went through countless boxes of film and 3 different Instax Wide 210 cameras before calling it quits after nearly 8 months.

Documenting my menstrual cycle is a part of my process of honoring my body and the change it experiences on a monthly basis. I hold these images very dear to my heart and sharing them brings me great joy. I hope others find them as honestly beautiful as I do. In a society where we are constantly persuaded to hide our menstrual cycle through the use of ‘compact’ tampons and scented feminine products, I want my images to feel raw enough to contribute to the normalization of alternative menstrual habits.

In addition, I was notified of my image being selected on the exact day that President-elect Donald Trump was confirmed to be the next president of the United States. This warmed my heart that on a day where I was feeling physical pain for the future of our country, I was awarded a small victory for tolerance. I want people everywhere to feel comfortable and confident in discussing their menstrual experiences and the options that exist. 

All images provided by FotoFilmic// PULP Gallery