Lotte van Raalte On BODY And Women Empowerment
The outcry for the need for inclusion is an expression of pure love towards any form and shape ignored or disregarded as beautiful due to stereotyped misconceptions. Lotte van Raalte explores the female body and each of its components through meticulous research of the form.
Some of Lotte’s work has been banned on social media, as Lotte explains her frustration “...pure, real and honest body images get censored and deleted. But girls with completely fake, plastic surgery bodies in lingerie and sexy poses are EVERYWHERE.”
Lotte van Raalte is an Amsterdam-based photographer. Lotte worked with brands like Stella McCartney, Adidas Women, Arket, the Body Shop, and others. In her first photography book BODY, Lotte explores the beauty of the female body, the work which helps to liberate women from the stereotyped form we meet in the media. Taking 16 months to shoot, 46 women in the range of ages between 13 to 94, BODY becomes a celebration of diversity and acceptance. We speak with Lotte about the first photo she took at the age of 3, about the lockdown and expanding the gaze to photographing locally, and about the fashion industry today.
‘I recently found my first photograph from when I was probably three or four years old (taken with a 90’s Fisher-Price Camera), so it’s safe to say photography has always been a part of my life in some way.’
I Am
Let’s speak about the beginning and your desire to photograph. What has led you towards making this career decision?
I recently found my first photograph from when I was probably three or four years old (taken with a 90’s Fisher-Price Camera), so it’s safe to say photography has always been a part of my life in some way. My interest just grew with time. When I was around ten, I went to Indonesia with my family. That trip had a huge impact on me and sparked my curiosity about other cultures and a love for travel. I’d always borrow my parents’ camera.
To be honest, this child-like perspective is something I try to carry with me. I strive to see the world – and look at other human beings – through the eyes of a child: full of wonder and curiosity, honest, playful, and lacking judgment. Being behind the camera allows me to focus, to eliminate noise, and to make things more beautiful and clear. Photography makes me focus on just a few things instead of a million. My head can be very busy.
How do you think growing up and living in The Netherlands adds to the unique inspirations and the different voices or perspectives a photographer gains?
I previously would leave the borders of the Netherlands and travel abroad to explore my photography by being inspired by different perspectives on the world. That was until I started my project BODY, for which I photographed mostly in and around Amsterdam and my hometown, The Hague, at the beach, right by where I grew up. It was a nice reminder of how incredible and beautiful this small country is. In a way, photography does this to me, makes me see things, and appreciate it for what it is, even if that’s right at your feet in your backyard. During the lockdown, my fascination and gratitude for the Netherlands grew even stronger. I couldn’t travel, I was barely allowed to leave the house, so I started to photograph plants near my house and the nearest park on early morning walks. After all these years of traveling and being exposed to so many different cultures and impulses, it was so interesting to experience the same inspiration and joy from the little things around me also at a much slower pace. It was very eye-opening.
‘I’ve always been fascinated by people: their faces, bodies, expressions, and stories. I was already focusing on skin and getting very close to people, but never thought I’d be drawn to nude photography.’
Body
Body - the series is an exploration of the form of a woman’s body, researching it through the prism of different ages and the natural changes it undergoes. The work produces a feeling of celebration of the physical generating love to each part and the whole. Tell about the course of this project. What did you learn photographing the series?
I’ve always been fascinated by people: their faces, bodies, expressions, and stories. I was already focusing on skin and getting very close to people, but never thought I’d be drawn to nude photography. Then I was shooting in Morocco for a beauty brand, and on the last day, I got distracted by the beautiful freckles and birthmarks of my producer. I started to take close-ups of her skin, and not much later, she was completely naked. It was such a strong and liberating feeling to photograph someone without any other elements, just a pure human being who wasn’t used to even being in front of a camera.
What is the warmest memory from one of the encounters with the subjects you photographed?
After my trip to Morocco, I started a search for women on social media of all ages, sizes, and shapes to pose nude. I received an overwhelming amount of responses. I also photographed my mom at a nude beach near my hometown, which was, of course, very special for me. That same day I also met some other incredible women, one of 73 and one of 84 years old. They were so beautiful and inspirational to me. I still occasionally speak to them as if they’re my “adopted” grandmothers.
I also interviewed all the women asking the same questions: “What’s your relationship with your body? What do you think of the current beauty standards? Describe your body as objectively as possible in a few words.” This obviously led to some very intimate, difficult, beautiful, and complicated conversations. Besides these talks, one of the most interesting parts of the project was how these 46 women felt and behaved during the shoot itself. Some of them were super nervous. Others are very confident. For most of them, it was a very liberating experience, I could see them change in front of my lens, which was so beautiful to see and feel. My biggest accomplishment with this project was the fact that the women felt more happy, confident, or content in their bodies after the shoot. Before this book, I sometimes had the feeling that something was missing, and I think here is where I found my answers. To not only “take” an image but also “give” something back. Even for a brief moment.
Gallery Vriend van Bavink
You have presented BODY work at Gallery Vriend van Bavink. What was your process of preparing for the exhibitions, the choice of work, and print?
I spent a lot of time on the book selection and book design with art director Merel van den Berg. When the final design was officially at the printer, Lenoir Schuring, I started to think about the exhibition. I carefully selected a few images from the book, varied in composition, colour, and energy. I always like to look at an exhibition space first and then think about how to set up the work; so that it becomes more coherent and not just photo prints on a(ny) wall. Gallery van Bavink is a small, cozy space with lots of different walls and corners. Therefore I made two life-size prints on wallpaper plus different framed prints in lots of different sizes to make it more playful. I also made a QR code that people could scan (and listen to) with all the answers of the women to the question: “describe your body as objectively as possible in short words” (also the first and last page of the book).
‘Besides female empowerment, I’ve always been very mindful of fighting for a more diverse cast in my work. Nowadays, this really feels like a battle many are willing to take on.’
Women Empowerment
One of the connecting threads throughout your personal work and commercial projects is the theme of women empowerment. As presented in shoots for Lynk & Co, & Other Stories, Adidas Women, Stella McCartney’s collection, the images inspire empathy and love in an empowering manner. How do you think photography can change perceptions?
I have a continuous love-hate relationship with the fashion and advertising industry. It’s obviously an industry I am part of and strive to be a part of, but on the other hand, it’s an industry in which I hope to see a tremendous change. But maybe that’s what gives me so much motivation – to be a force for change.
What are the additional topics that interest you with which you strive to bring about change?
Besides female empowerment, I’ve always been very mindful of fighting for a more diverse cast in my work. Nowadays, this really feels like a battle many are willing to take on, and finally, it’s something no brand can ignore any longer. I think our visual language is playing a huge part in the change. What we see in fashion or advertisement, presented as “beautiful,” strives to influence us from already a very young age.
‘It’s a very frustrating and difficult subject, but I think that’s exactly why we need to all address it even more. My work has been deleted so many times, I stopped counting.’
Social Media Bans
Today we deal with hypocrisy gaining power on social media platforms when a certain body type, which today is considered beautiful (often through a sexual gaze) is allowed to be presented, while work which portrays a body part with, for example, stretch signs will be reported by the community, deleted, and the author might lose the account. The controversial discourse which strives for diversity and bans certain body types or ages is very much present. How do you think artists and creators can influence this conversation online?
I couldn’t agree more. It’s a very frustrating and difficult subject, but I think that’s exactly why we need to all address it even more. My work has been deleted so many times, I stopped counting. Even when there was literally nothing to see. My main frustration - like you mention in the question - is that pure, real and honest body images get censored and deleted. But girls with completely fake, plastic surgery bodies in lingerie in sexy poses are EVERYWHERE. It’s not only incredibly boring and superficial (in my opinion), but it does not send out the right signals if you ask me. Images of this kind are often reproducing a gaze which I feel we’ve seen for too long, and there are so many other ways, we as women, can connect with our sexuality (in more empowering ways). The thought of young adults, teenagers with racing hormones, and changing bodies, getting bombarded with these types of standards, genuinely upsets me. But I try to use this frustration as a motivation to use my work and voice and, in fact, show a different visual language and representation of the human body and the ways to liberate it.
‘I recently did a nude photoshoot myself, shot by my dear friend and an amazing photographer Maeve Stam. It was one of the most liberating and beautiful experiences I’ve had, and I actually (cliche but true) felt more love towards myself and my body during and afterwards.’
Body Representation
The topic of body research and the shift that occurs towards a representation from the female gaze is gaining traction and changes perceptions. For example, Jocelyn Lee’s photography focuses on body, inclusiveness, nakedness, and the relation to aging. Do you think this shift in society’s perception is indeed happening?
I do think there’s a huge shift going on. At the same time, I feel like there are actually two opposite shifts happening simultaneously. One is the focus on inclusivity, diversity, authenticity, and then there is the complete opposite: the plastic, the fake, the same. But I believe things are often in cycles and often in duality. As long as I (and other creators with the same ideas) can change a few people’s thoughts, I will continue to do so.
What are some of the questions or comments you mostly hear about your work as related to this topic?
Most of the comments on the images from BODY are that other people find it so surprising how beautiful wrinkles, stretch-marks, or other “imperfections” are contrary to how critical they are towards their own bodies. I’m still working on this extremely complicated subject. As I already mentioned, I’ve been mostly fascinated by the direct experiences of women during the shoots and the interviews. I recently did a nude photoshoot myself, shot by my dear friend and an amazing photographer Maeve Stam. It was one of the most liberating and beautiful experiences I’ve had, and I actually (cliche but true) felt more love towards myself and my body during and afterwards. Now I’m trying to take it a step further and just gave my first body positivity and photography workshop at a women’s retreat, She She Retreats, in Mallorca. So, it’s not only about photography or the images anymore. It’s about the experience, the talks, what’s underneath the image. What’s underneath our skin.
Upcoming Projects
What are your plans for this year?
Everyone knows this has been one of the craziest years so far, at least for me. It started with the book launch and exhibition in Amsterdam and London. Then I was about to go to Mexico for another launch and a new personal project by the end of March, obviously, that didn’t happen.
What are you working on right now?
During the lockdown, I started focusing more on nature, plants, and food through analogue photography. A completely new - more patient - way of photography compared to my digital work with (moving) people. I’m still working on this as we speak. Other than that, I actually have been super lucky with a lot of work for the past months, including more film and my first TV commercial that just launched this week. A commercial project for a health insurance company but completely in line with my research towards the human body.
