It was an honor and a privilege to photograph my mother in such a vulnerable manner. The scars captured above are from melanoma removals, double mastectomy surgery and implants, and a hysterectomy procedure. Tissue, organs and hormones were removed for survival. By removing these parts of the body intrinsically tied to womanhood, it reshapes one’s concept around beauty, aging and femininity. Over the years, I have seen my mother transform into her most authentically beautiful self. Her freckles decorate her skin like the stars do the sky and the scars she’s accumulated are simply a reminder of her resilience. What a gift it is to age wrinkles and all. Imperfectly perfect.