Raw Womanhood

Arts and Culture

Nov 1

Photography that captures the full spectrum of womanhood—the highs, the lows, the good, and the bad—unfiltered, raw, and completely from the female gaze.

Capturing the essence of femininity on camera can lead to moments of pure, cinematic, storytelling magic. While many photographers aspire to achieve this captivating result, it often happens that some miss the mark. The quest to celebrate womanhood through imagery frequently gets unintentionally framed through a male perspective. The pose, the lighting, the clothes, and makeup—chosen by a man, produced by a man, with the intent of portraying womanhood. It rarely works. As female voices and the female gaze continue to fight for recognition, advocating for women to represent themselves from their own viewpoint rather than through a man’s lens, some photographers have ventured out and, quite successfully, managed to capture this voice. Let’s explore some of the most authentic representations—the raw, unfiltered essence of womanhood in all its gritty, courageous, fiery, and glamorous forms.

Nan Goldin

Goldin is a photographer who knows how to tell a story. More impressively, she tells incredible stories in places most people aren’t looking. Rather than focusing on the glamorous or polished, she takes her camera behind the façade and shows us raw beauty in unexpected places. Her pictures open our eyes to a new way of seeing the world—a world full of sorrow and hardship but also one beautifully enriched with relationships, identity struggles, and explorations of sexuality and gender, in the most complex and real way. Instead of presenting women in a specific, idealized image, she highlights our struggles in an intimate, raw, unapologetic, and completely unfiltered manner. The vulnerability of the female soul has never been portrayed with such unique authenticity as Goldin navigates the lives of women from all walks of life, weaving a common thread through what unites us all.

Amanda in the Mirror, Berlin 1992, photography by Nan Goldin. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Trixie on the Cot, NYC 1979, photography by Nan Goldin. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Cookie Tin Pan Alley, NYC 1963, photography by Nan Goldin. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Misty in Sheridan Square, NYC 1991, photography by Nan Goldin. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Joey in the Mirror, Berlin 1992, photography by Nan Goldin. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Bettina Rheims

Rheims is a woman, and that is evident in her photography. She beautifully captures the true essence of womanhood, time and time again, in numerous photoshoots. This French photographer embodies the female gaze. Her work delves into themes of sexuality, gender, and identity in provocative, sensual, and often controversial portraits. She challenges traditional depictions of femininity and dismantles them in her own way. With a long career behind her, each photoshoot—whether with celebrities, models, or everyday people—is equally inspiring, each with its own unique angle. Rheims’ photography adapts to her subjects, telling beautifully orchestrated narratives that fit their stories.

Liv Tyler, photography by Bettina Rheims, 1996, Issue No. 89, The Face Magazine. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Dominique Swain, photography by Bettina Rheims, 1997, Esquire. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Sibyl Buck, 1996, photography by Bettina Rheims. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Traci Lords, photography by Bettina Rheims, 1994, Los Angeles, in the Valentino Room of the Alexandria Hotel. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Karen Mulder, 1996 Paris, photography by Bettina Rheims. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Petra Collins

In a vibrant and colorful manner, Collins captures the spirit and aura of her subjects rather than just their façade. Though aesthetically serene and dreamlike, the emotions in her photographs cut through, disrupting the tranquil state of the viewer. With layers beyond what meets the eye, Collins captures moments that reveal a thousand unspoken stories about life, relationships, and growing up. She has a distinct, beautiful way of seeing the female aura, portraying it in a raw and real manner. Her images are colorful and beautiful, but also bold and deeply emotional, standing in stark contrast as they guide the viewer through a profound exploration of girlhood.

Untitled #5, 24 Hour Psycho, photographed by Petra Collins. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Untitled #4, 24 Hour Psycho, photography by Petra Collins. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Ellen von Unwerth

Unwerth is a talented photographer who authentically captures both the beautiful and serene, as well as the bold and powerful. Her photographs reflect women as they truly are—intricate, complex, and multifaceted. She portrays the playful and joyful side of femininity, blending it with the freedom of expressing one’s sexuality. Her subjects exude confidence, as Unwerth draws out every facet of their empowered selves. Regardless of the scene, model, or occasion, one thing is certain—it’s always a woman in power.

There are countless ways to portray the female soul, especially through a medium like photography. So intricate and complex, there’s an ocean of representations to explore. Some images touch the deepest aspects of our emotions and identities, making us feel seen, understood, and, most importantly, accurately represented. How exactly do these photographers achieve these feelings? How does the representation of women from the female gaze differ from the male-focused portrayal of women, and how do you best see the female gaze reflected in photography?

Jean Anna Grandjean

Jean Anna, shaped by her experiences growing up in an international environment in Scandinavia, brings a distinct perspective to her work. Her diverse upbringing has fueled her passion for media, culture, and fashion, leading her to explore vibrant cities like Amsterdam, Singapore, and Madrid. As a Media & Communication graduate, she blends her passions with her expertise in a seamless manner, combining the best of both worlds. Her experiences with diverse fashion influences worldwide have further expanded her taste and personal style.

Raw Womanhood

Atelier Pellini

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