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Naked and wrapped in tape: An Okanagan censorship protest

Thirty-two women stripped down, taped up and showed fearlessness in front of a Kelowna photographer's lens
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A group of Okangan women bared it all in a brave photo shoot that's aimed at social-media giant Facebook.


A group of Okanagan women bared it all in a photo shoot to protest Facebook's censorship policies.

The 'censored' photo shoot at a rock quarry in Kelowna showcased 32 local women who stripped down, taped up and showed fearlessness in front of 24-year-old Trina Cary's lens.

“It was amazing,” said Cary. “They were all complete strangers and they were all so terrified when they first got there, but it became the coolest thing. They all became best friends so fast. Everyone became so comfortable with each other. No one was judging each other or feeling insecure, everyone was so supportive. It was so liberating and empowering.”

Cary decided to host the photoshoot after her artistic and strategically covered nudes continually got banned or pulled from Facebook.

“Last week I posted a self portrait, my favourite one that I had ever done. I practically fell into a pile of thorns, I broke my tripod, I did everything to get this picture. My hands were covering my breasts and I darkened the photo, you couldn't see anything,” said Cary. “But, within 10 minutes I was banned and banned for seven days.”

She said the multi-day ban cost her work as she couldn't reply to messages on Facebook or keep up with her contacts. She feels many artistic photos are flagged and banned unfairly when more overt sexual content is allowed to remain on the social media site.

“You go through your feed and you see so many graphic, sexual photos and yet this is art and it gets pulled and Facebook won't explain, they won't reply,” said Cary.

When she initially put out the call for women to join her she was surprised by the immediate response and turnout.

“I wanted to wrap these women in censor tape as a big 'F U' to Facebook,” said Cary.

“I was looking for three women and yet my inbox was flooded with women I had never even met who wanted to take part.”

She explained that Arthon Construction Ltd. in Kelowna allowed her to use their private rock quarry near Crawford Falls for the photoshoot.

Alison Cherise is one of those who bared it all in front of the camera. She said she wanted to take part in this shoot as she was inspired by the message.

“It is not that often that women support each other like that, especially strangers,” said Cherise. “More compliments were given to each other that day than ever before, women don't compliment each other enough. I have never experienced anything like that before.”

The photos have since been posted to Cary's site and Facebook page and have received hundreds of comments, likes and shares. The story has now been picked up by several major North American blogs.

You can check out some of the photos in the video above, full credit to Trina Cary Photography.