Exploring the power in feminine beauty requires an enthusiast capable of communicating beyond the mere confines of a pretty face. One who can eye the most natural women through the lens of the cameras to not only take the best shots but exhibit the true inner beauty.
Romanian photographer Miheala Noroc began a project four years ago that she named The Atlas of Beauty. Her key goal: to capture the true beauty of diversity.
She has since traveled to over 60 countries capturing some of the most innate portraits of women far and wide.
Scroll down to experience some of Noroc’s most intricate products.
Where it all began…

Noroc first came in contact with a camera at a tender age of 16. She there and then realized her interest in communicating for and to women through the lens. To affirm her interests she took portraits of her mother and sister.
The journey back

Despite the discouragement by the college lecturers from pursuing artistry professionally, what was meant to be would just be. A trip to Ethiopia reactivated her childhood desires. From here there really was only one way, up!
The Atlas of Beauty – Genesis

Noroc began her project small, living off her personal savings in her home country. The will was however very strong and the thinking very big.
Her Inspiration

Noroc’s chief drive was to provide the other side of the prevalent conflicts against women across the globe. Doing it through photography would be the real jewel! She would therefore present the side of women in the most intricate means possible.
Serenity and honesty

The portraits had to come out pure, pristine and most importantly honest. So much so you can actually read the hearts of the women featured, through their eyes.
Beauty in diversity

This was and still is Noroc’s motto. She observes that the differences in all of us should only but bring us together. Diversity is power and the more different we are, the more united we must become.
And not a source of conflict

We must embrace and adore rather than detest and loathe our diversity. We must never thereby sink into conflicts simply because someone is culturally or otherwise different from us.
Thinking and going big

The Atlas of Beauty didn’t stay under the radar so long. Noroc’s project soon evoked interest from all around the world and her inbox was flooded with goodwill and support. She was at the same time expanding her travel bounds rapidly.
Pressure to deliver

With great power comes ever greater responsibility and Noroc began to feel it a little more. The creativity involved in creating inspiration from a simple snapshot was overwhelming. She was however more than able to deal with that and she would send every unique message in unique styles.
Project goes global

Soon enough Noroc’s project secured funding from all over and before she knew it, she was on a full-time project.
Beauty Everywhere

She has gone to all the continents except the Antarctica while capturing the essence of womanhood. So different yet so similar!
…Up to the Amazon Forest and Kyrgyzstan

She’s seen all the beauty in all the remote places of our planet, including the Tibetan Plateau.
True beauty lies under the makeup

Noroc’s real passion is to take portraits of natural women unspoiled with makeup and face enhancers. This is the true essence of our planet; natural and loving. Furthermore when we keep the enhancements down, our inside becomes more visible and pristine.
Because the eye always speaks volumes

It speaks our passions, fears, prides, love, hate, troubles and all our feelings. Diving into their eyes through the eye of the camera will portray the story that makes each of them interesting.
And the background says even more

Noroc tried to capture the environments as well to make the story complete. The background tells about culture and beliefs, likes and hates. It most importantly complements your story.
…Of your passions and preferences

This strong beautiful woman Serena from Naples in Italy prefers to get hands-on in her parents’ workshop.
Of multilingual Beauty

Noroc’s ability to speak 5 different languages enabled her interact with beauties from all over the planet. She is therefore able to listen to and understand their story more.
And in some places no word is needed

The body language speaks more than enough. Like this German-based beauty, born in France to a French Father and a Mali-born Mother.
Beauty, she notes, is innate

True beauty is not driven by trends in fashion. It is when someone pierces your heart with her warm eyes.
Beauty is boundless

No amount of cosmetics, money or social class will guarantee you the intrinsic beauty. The largest trick however is being yourself at all times. It is so expensive trying to be anyone else, people. We must also allow others be themselves and not try hard to change what makes them.
And we are all part of one big family

Living together as one people demands tolerance no matter how different others may be. Living together a diverse people is the true essence of living anyway, the social cycle dictates so.
Geographically placed in the most culturally diverse places of earth

The subjects are accorded a chance to display the very best from their countries or culture.
This inspires confidence deep within the women…

Be confident in what you stand for and in what you are in the inside. Your inside will then warm the people around you and inspire your self-belief as a strong feminine beauty.
Despite the still prevalent discrimination

Discrimination against women is still rampant around the globe, as Noroc noted. However, women from across the globe are now strong in the face of inequality and can more than stand their own.
But she hopes for a change in heart

She is hopeful therefore that her well-worked portraits of strong beauties from all across the earth will inspire a paragon shift toward narrowing the inequality gaps.
To accord our women more Respect

The symbols of societal strength deserve much more veneration than they are accorded. Noroc equally hopes that her project evokes the change in perception in the ‘stronger’ gender.
Noroc also, unsurprisingly, identifies more with the women

It’s no surprise The Atlas of Beauty Project focuses solely on women. She was focused on a single theme project and as such chose the gender she feels most at home with.
And their undying willpower amidst struggles

Women have the bigger hearts of the two sexes. Their will to move on is absolutely unmatched.
Plus their dreams and aspirations

And the silent intensity of their quiet beauty

Beauty all around us; in a smile, in a warm stare, in a story or simply in gestures. Let us all never forget to appreciate the beauty God blessed us with; of nature and of our strong family anchors – women.
Images Via Business Insider
Originally posted 2017-04-20 11:31:36.