TITLE: SKIN (The Scars that Remind)

SKIN (The Scars that Remind) is a raw, black and white photographic series that intimately documents the physical and emotional landscape of my body as someone living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), a chronic skin condition marked by inflammation, painful nodules, and lasting scars. This work is not just about the marks on my skin—it is about the story beneath them, the pain endured, and the resilience that grows in places most overlook.

Each image in this series is a moment of truth, captured without embellishment. The absence of color strips away distraction, allowing the textures, shadows, and contours of my body to speak. In monochrome, the scars are no longer just remnants of disease—they are testaments to survival. They remind us that beauty can coexist with struggle, and vulnerability is a powerful form of resistance.

Through this project, I challenge the conventional ideals of “flawless” skin in beauty and media. I center my own body as a site of truth, where illness and healing collide. These images are meant to confront viewers gently but directly, inviting them to see the human experience of invisible illnesses made visible.

SKIN (The Scars that Remind) is more than a visual diary; it is a call for representation, empathy, and awareness. It honors those living in silence, ashamed or unseen, and dares to say: you are not alone. The scars may remain, but so does our voice, our power, and our right to be witnessed in full.

In telling my story, I tell the story of many. Through these frames, I offer not just my skin, but my soul—and the strength that lives in every scar.

AUTHOR: Destineé Spruell (United States)

Destineé, known as “Your Favorite Shooter,” is a passionate creative director, photographer, and entrepreneur behind “Awaken Your Destineé” and “Just How Life Goes.” As a Black lesbian woman living with chronic illnesses like Hidradenitis Suppurativa and PASH Syndrome, she transforms pain into purpose. Through heartfelt storytelling, apparel, and advocacy, she empowers others, raises awareness, and creates safe spaces for healing and connection.