Heather Kolaya

My name is Heather- I joined this site for the love of art! I'm looking for fat friendly photographers, especially those who want to make an artistic or social statement. I strongly believe in health and beauty at every size and in breaking down social walls and barriers that teach women they're worthless based on arbitrary lines.

There is a standardized beauty ideal that I believe in smashing down and showing women, especially young women, that they should love and appreciate their bodies no matter what. Did you know that when television was introduced in Fiji in 1998, that in less than 8 months cases of eating disorders skyrocketed from unheard of to an epidemic? And most young girls felt they were "too fat" when previously Fiji culture embraced "hearty" body types for both  men and women? This came about through the introduction of western beauty ideals as they only had one TV station which played shows like Melrose Place and similar dramas. These false ideals are harmful and no one should spend their lives hating themselves because they don't fit into a cookie cutter definition of perfect.

A little about myself then- I'm vegan, into Yoga (beginner), love the gym, and I'm extremely crafty which often comes in handy. Am I a mover and a shaker? Well maybe not exactly but I do like to get out and have fun. I appreciate the traditional and I revel in the new and funky. I work well with others and I'm a people person by nature. I appreciate someone who can laugh and be casual- art is a serious business, but making it should be fun. I'm very logical and detailed but also very understanding and flexible.

My hair is currently red/pink (this changes every few weeks). I have no tattoos. I have a lip piercing, but I can take it out for shoots. I have dermagraphia which is relative in an artistic sense in that my skin can be drawn on. If you don't know what dermagraphia is I highly suggest you search flickr for some photos or take a look in my portfolio to see shoots I've already done.

I am very reliable, I'm always on time (usually early), I keep in contact and answer emails and tags promptly and in a timely manner. I will not flake on a shoot unless there is an emergency (illness, injury, death, etc) and will work with you to reschedule as soon as possible. I'm also fine working in the cold or other harsh conditions (I recently jumped into a freezing cold lake on a 58 degree day). I'm also incredibly creative. If you don't email me back within two weeks, even if it's just to let me know you're busy, I'll take that as a sign you've changed your mind about working together. I can do my own makeup and I'm great at putting together unique outfits.

Photographers: I appreciate all of the friend requests, but if you want to work with me, you have to actually message me.

Photoshop Wizards: While I appreciate photo manipulation skills, what I do not appreciate is heavily photoshopping models to the point where they no longer look like themselves. If it's not the same person- it's pointless. Drastically altering the body of a model is, I believe, unethical- making them thinner, fatter, bigger boobs, unnecessarily lightening skin tone, etc. I understand evening skin tone or airbrushing out some pimples- I personally love all of the things you can do with photoshop- as long as the person still looks like themselves. Manipulating in a lion or angel wings or something? No problems with that- that's just awesome.