35mm of transitions

The transition from girlhood to womanhood is not only about the physical changes a woman experiences. Growth is about new experiences, travel, loss, disappointment, achievement,  and mind expansion. One can argue that girls are born women because we are born with generational pain. Women are raised to be empaths and givers. We bear children and are often organizers and caretakers in our communities. All of these roles make us vulnerable to pain. The problem with this construction is that it connects pain and womanhood. Through my narrative, I capture the celebratory and joyous parts of passage from girlhood to womanhood. Pain and womanhood are not inextricably bound. I want to illustrate this joy within my work. As a Black Muslima Woman, I am aware of generational pain, but also privileges and  joy.  As an image maker, I want to capture a diversity of viewpoints.  Shooting film is important to me because it reflects womanhood in that it takes raw  basic material and makes alchemy, even when the initial material is flawed. The  archival practices and womanhood go hand in hand. When I shoot film, there is a chance the film may be developed incorrectly or the lighting is inaccurate, but there is opportunity for growth and patience. With this project, I wanted to connect growth and acceptance. When looking at these images I am asking the audience: to think of the games you played as a child, your first few birthdays, the women in your life and their impact, your first period, your first pimple, your first crush, getting ready with your friends, and anything specific to you when you think about entering womanhood.