When photographer Julia Kozerski lost 160 pounds following her wedding in 2009, her weight loss journey culminated in a beautiful–and heartbreaking–nude portrait series called “Half,” which explored the emotional repercussions of losing half of your self. But in addition to these striking artworks, Kozerski was also documenting the process in a more casual, intimate way: in the dressing room with her iPhone. She didn’t plan to share these photos with anyone (she took them to map her progress), but I’m really glad she changed her mind. The pictures aren’t aesthetically perfect, they’re just real, and it’s fascinating to see an honest illustration of someone in the process of transforming their body in such a radical way. For Kozerski, these quick iPhone shots are intense reminders of a confusing time: “I recall the thrills of trying on smaller sizes and the satisfaction of feeling more attractive, even sexy,” she told NPR. “More so, I remember the devastation of not recognizing the person reflected back to me in the mirror.” See all the photos on Kozerski’s website.
