Bella Broek ‘25

Society distorts truth in self-image. This portfolio serves as an exploration of individuals’ unique experiences with societal standards—a visual collection of their internal battles against external expectations. Rooted in my own exposure to these societal influences, the concept evolved through conversations with peers about their encounters with societal norms that exerted pressure in one direction or another. I reflected on the interconnectedness of individual and collective experiences, as well as how my adopted beliefs might contribute to another’s journey. This process has strengthened my understanding of the subtle methods through which society shapes and confines identity like gender norms, stigmatization of mental health, body image, and ideal beauty standards.

Throughout this endeavor, I experimented with various techniques, such as editing in Photoshop, manipulating physical elements, and incorporating words and phrases to amplify the narrative. These methods all allowed me to visually articulate the emotional weight of societal pressure. With revisions I have enhanced my images; in one image in the masculinity series I used overlapping editing to include social media comments, deepening commentary on external opinions and self-expression. In my latest shoot I experimented with UV light paint, using it as a medium to further explore color, word incorporation, and conceptual storytelling.