A women's body is as unique as each woman on the planet. She is so expressive, talking silently of age, of culture, of sex, of motherhood, of passion. For 40 years, my photography of women has helped them reveal their beauty, their confidence, their power. For nearly as long, I have been adding body painting to the mix. A sort of next-level expression.

I have followed Dr. Masaru Emoto's research on the effects on water from positive and loving words. His research proved that those words had a profound and beautiful effect on water. With us being something like 85% water, it seemed those words could also have a powerful impact on the body.

Words are written on a woman's body, her words, chosen to reflect her core beliefs, values, and choices could also be an inspiration. To themselves and viewers of the work.

So I created the Her Body Speaks project. We have no filter on the women I photograph, not age, body type, height, culture, ethnicity, and so on. The level of diversity reflects that of the women who have volunteered to be part of the project.

Each woman chooses the words that are painted on her body. She steps onto a seamless white background to be photographed in black and white.

For many doing this is both exciting and terrifying, creating a personal breakthrough moment in the experience.

Richelle Wiseman interviews each woman to get her story behind the word choices, the reasons for being part of the Her Body Speaks project.

Richelle is part of the team that is creating this project. Tracy Falukozi does the body painting and Emily Sobkowicz is doing makeup. We may add to our team as the project reaches into the year.

The will be photographing about 60 women in 2020.

We are planning to create a table book and gallery show from the images. You will be able to advance purchase the book and prints shortly.