Media Representation, Stock Photography, and Turning Anger into Art with Lindley Ashline | #53

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Lindley Ashline is a photographer who's fighting back against negative media portrayals of fat bodies by showcasing them in all their glory in her work. She speaks out against narrow standards of beauty and the oppression that people living in marginalized bodies face. We had a lovely conversation on the pod about how she's been channeling her anger into her art, and the realities of running a social justice-oriented business.

We discussed:

• The many projects and roles that Lindley has taken on through her work.
• How Lindley initially discovered the fat acceptance movement through LiveJournal.
• The effect Lindley's unconventional childhood had on her beliefs about bodies since she had very limited access to things like TV or magazines.
• The ways in which fat bodies are negatively portrayed in mainstream media.
• Accessing your anger and harnessing it in your work.
• Limitations of most stock photography websites.
• The realities of social justice-oriented online businesses.
• The value of in-between spaces as part of the overall journey to more radical ones.
• Different considerations in the conversation about using Photoshop in service of art.
• How you can start working with clients in larger bodies if you never have before.
• How Lindley defines health and wellness for herself at this moment in her life.

Mentioned in This Episode

• The Fatshionista LiveJournal
• Xanga
• Authors Kate Harding and Marianne Kirby
• Wild America with Marty Stouffer
• Lindley's Instagram post about assessing portrayals of fat people in the media
• Presence in Body Positivity and Shame-Free Storytelling with Dr. Kate Browne | #9
• Reimagining Relationships with Melissa A. Fabello | #42

Featured in This Episode

Lindley Ashline (pronounced LIN-lee, she/her) creates photographs that celebrate the unique beauty of bodies that fall outside conventional “beauty” standards. She is also the creator of Body Liberation Stock and the Body Love Shop, a curated resource for body-friendly products and artwork. You can find Lindley on her website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Did you benefit from this episode? You can show your appreciation by supporting Lindley's work. Sign up here to receive Lindley's weekly Body Liberation Guide in your inbox.