Body Image

Encouraging body confidence

By James Robertson

“We need more images of real bodies in our media so our children learn not to feel shame, confusion or an instant association with sex when they see skin in real life or online. This is a necessary part of developing a healthy sense of self and encouraging body confidence. By showing bodies of different shapes, sizes and colours we develop an unspoken acceptance for diversity and an aesthetic appreciation of the human form entirely devoid of sexual connotations. Normalising these images allows young people the opportunity to think about their own physical boundaries in relation to others and to consider what behaviour is appropriate in different contexts.”

Lee Craigie, Adventure Syndicate director and endurance athlete

This image was taken while four endurance athletes from The Adventure Syndicate were riding their bikes to Spain from the UK as part of a challenge to get more school children physically active. The team travelled self-supported, carrying lightweight sleeping kits and stoves, washing in rivers or lakes and sleeping under the stars.

Photographer, James Robertson, followed the team for the week, posting real time pictures to social media and tagging the participating schools in order to inspire and encourage young people to accumulate their own bike miles and collectively keep up with the four athletes.

The Adventure Syndicate reluctantly decided not to post this image of Lee Craigie washing in a stream as part of this online challenge because they were aware of just how polarized public opinion can become over images of nakedness online. The decision was a hard one, and sparked fierce debate within the organization. The Adventure Syndicate is a collective of female endurance cyclists who aim to offer an alternative sporting role model in our society, and posting this image of an athletic, non-standard, non-sexualized female body felt like the obvious thing for the group to do. But in the context of modern day Britain, even this group of strong, considered, opinionated women were concerned about how their image might be twisted into the antithesis of their intentions.