Photographer creates series to celebrate women with vitiligo after developing the skin condition herself

SAM November 17, 2019

Photographer Elisabeth Van Aalderen creates series to celebrate women with vitiligo after developing the skin condition herself — Shades of Pale celebrates women with vitiligo (Picture: Elisabeth Van Aalderen )

Elisabeth Van Aalderen developed the skin condition vitiligo eight years ago.

It causes the skin to lose pigmentation and patches appear lighter than the rest of the body.

Inspired by her own experience, Elisabeth, based in the Netherlands, started to photograph other women with the condition to help them celebrate their skin.

The series called Shades of Pale features women from all over the world and encourages them to step out of their comfort zone.

Posting on Instagram, Elisabeth explained: ‘Vitiligo is such a powerful thing; it makes you stand out, it forces you to embrace your unique beauty. Let’s all celebrate that.’

She wanted to encourage them to feel more confident as she says she is always getting questions about the condition and many people still don’t understand it.

Elisabeth added: ‘Literally we are saying goodbye to our melatonin, but in the bigger sense we are breaking free from our perception of beauty.

‘This project is to help break the boundaries and encourage others to be their most authentic selves. Beauty can be whatever you want it to be.’

Each picture shows the model in their underwear, showing and exploring their skin. Some of the pictures feature their whole body, while others are focused on taking a close up look at a particular area.

Elisabeth is still looking for more people with the condition to take part in the series. To get in touch, you can contact her on Instagram.