‘Rock Your Ugly’ sends an important message. But could you dare to bare your deepest insecurities?

In a new photography series created by Waleed Shah, a Dubai-based photographer, residents are brutally honest, revealing mental health issues, body insecurities and, in some cases, both.

Shah started the project as a coping mechanism to grief. He describes ‘rock your ugly’ as ‘group therapy’… in which he photographed each subject and documented their journey, ‘I would listen to someone else’s pain and share mine.’

The honesty behind each portrait shines a light on how deeply we are affected by our insecurities… and how brave these residents are to share theirs

See the full photo gallery here.

“If you get a nose job, you would look much better”

Read Maha’s full story here

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzst2ZGhmQq/

“I have scoliosis and I wear backless dresses now”

Read Laura’s full story here

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzvSlh8h0Ox/

“When I look in the mirror I see a beautiful, confident, sexy man”

Read Tac’s full story here

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzqKPvchx9_/

“When I was 11 months old I fell off the bed and my arm was resting in between the spaces of the winter heater”

Read Lotus’ full story here

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bznks30h0KA/

“Let’s rock this, bellies and all”

Read Danae’s full story here

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz0X_60B5BA/

“I’ve Learned How To Perfect The Art Of Throwing Up After Meals, I wear a size 1”

Read Myrna’s full story here

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz8LAA3h5Yo/

The reflective self-portrait that originally ignited the idea by photographer Waleed Shah in 2018

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdmbwV0Dz7Y/?utm_source=ig_embed