It really sucks growing up fat, isn't it?

It really sucks to grow up fat, isn't it? This sensation of not being good enough was the theme half of my life. 

As a child, I did not realise I was overweight until some of my schoolmates started making fun of my body and calling me names like "Fatty Bombom", "Ugly Humpty Dumpty" and "Fei zai shui (which means "fat boy water" in Cantonese)."

Whenever I looked into the mirror, I asked myself - am I really that ugly? Or is it because of the weight that caused me to look ugly? Why are people calling me names? 

So over the years, I was still carrying the burden of shame that I decided to use up most my savings on a weight loss program with Expressions, one of the most prestigious weight loss companies in the nineties in Singapore. That was my attempt to top up my low self-esteem bank card. 

I'm just wondering - how often do we do many different things, many diets, many fashion tips, just to make ourselves look good

That was what I've been doing. But then I realised, even as a photographer right now, body image issues are not gender-specific. Both men and women have it. These days when I photograph some women, they will say - can you photograph me from another angle because I look better on this side. Or can you photoshop me so that I look slimmer?

But as a photographer, I start seeing beauty in different shapes and angles. If only I could share with you how I see beauty in a human being, maybe you can also start seeing yourself in the mirror and accepting yourself for all the beautiful shapes and lines you have. 

Maybe it doesn't suck to be fat. It only sucks when we are swallowed up by other people's big mouth.

Greetings,

Your Fairy Godmother