authenticity

The story behind the photograph, words by Enuka

I remember I was automatically trying to smile like most people do when someone is taking a picture of them. I know my expression is not visually seen when I smile, no matter how hard I try. When I saw the first photo Sabrina took, I was not happy with it. I saw the struggle to look in a certain way on my face, it was not natural and I felt sad, inauthentic and pathetic having forced to smile for the camera. Sabrina had a chat with me about what happened. I remember I felt really understood and seen by her. Her words really hit me deep and she told me to not force it.
I stood there with so much emotion and tears in my eyes yet feeling joy from her advice. Her understanding and compassion of my muscle condition (Oculopharyngeal Distal Myopathy) was so sincere and made me feel accepted and special, not broken or impaired. I stood there hiding behind my chin as a safety net and Sabrina told me to ‘stay there, don’t move’. She caughts me in a vulnerable moment and saw the opportunity to capture. When Sabrina took the shot, I felt so content, safe and authentic, I knew that would be the one.
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