SHAY LAREN: MY BLUE VALENTINE by JM Darling

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Un Bisous Americain from The Darlings on Vimeo.

UPDATE: This film just won “Best Honorable Mention” at the CineKink Film Festival

Good for you, babe. Enjoy the sunshine.

Joshua Darling

I flipped through a fashion magazine the other day. Every other page was an advertisement for products that “reverse the signs of aging.” There were more and more ads and articles explaining “how to turn back the clock.” Growing older is gross, the magazine seemed to indicate. Your value, as a woman, is directly proportionate to how young you are, or how young you look.

Someone asked me recently if, I could forever be a certain age–which age would I want to be. I thought about it and realized I love my 40s. Fuck my 20s–I was arrogant and took everything for granted. My 30s were tricky–a lot of life lessons, stumbling to get my footing, a failed marriage, but the joy of motherhood. Now I am 41, and I wouldn’t trade the wisdom and independence I have now for my 20 year old body.

JM Darling and I did a photo shoot to celebrate 41. Here I am without makeup and retouching. My stomach has stretch marks, I have bags under my eyes, and I have a c section scar. This is my body, and I am proud of it. I refuse to lie about my age, or feel ashamed about how my body responds to the passage of time. I accept it. I honor it. I celebrate it. I hope more women decide to do the same.–Dana Vespoli

Photographers note: These photographs were taken without makeup or retouching as suggested by Dana. When I think of Dana I think of someone who feels complete. She embodies artistry, compassion, wit, style, humor, beauty with ease and grace. She is one of them most embodied people I know. I’m proud to be her friend. Happy Birthday, Dana.

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–Joshua Darling

There is nothing better to me than a last minute, improvised photoshoot. Late at night. In LA.

I had been talking with Ash about maybe setting up a planned shoot. Both our schedules had been really heavy. But I called on whim to see if she had a couple hours free to pop by by a motel I was crashing at on an overnight trip. She zoomed over, brought some great clothing choices, none of which we used, some Jack Daniels and her magic. She’s fearless and charismatic in performance mode, I feel and that really comes across.

Hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed making them with her.

Love,

JMD

clicking on those photos in the gallery makes them larger.

also a little more: