Photographer leaves out photo from bodybuilding contest gallery because of contestant’s excess skin
May 16, 2017
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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Imagine exercising your butt off, entering the bodybuilding competition, only to later find out your photo was omitted from the contest gallery because you’re not “perfect.” This is what happened to Jana Roller. She worked hard for two years, lost 140 lbs and entered her first bodybuilding competition. However, when she browsed through the gallery of photos from the contest, she realized there was no photo of her among the other contestants from her category. She contacted the photographer to ask shy her photo wasn’t included, and received an unpleasant answer. The photographer assumed that she’d be embarrassed by her body.
Anyone who has ever lost weight knows that this transformation leaves some excess skin. But regardless of this aesthetic “imperfection,” this is not what the competition was about. Jana went through tough training like all the other contestants, and she worked really hard to get to get fit and strong. Even though she is a photographer, she has found great passion for bodybuilding. She was excited about her first competition, although she was aware that she didn’t look stage lean:
Look. I get it that I wasn’t stage lean. Maybe some of the competitors didn’t think I was serious about my presence there. I worked for 2 years, lost 140lb, went through prep just like everyone else. I stuck to the plan, did hours of cardio, 5 am sessions. I worked just as hard to be told that I wasn’t good enough to be showcased amongst everyone else.
When she realized her photo was missing from the gallery, she asked the photographer what was wrong. The photographer replied saying that her appearance wasn’t great, so he decided to exclude her photo out of caution, as he was afraid she would ask him to edit or remove it. Grrrl Clothing shared Jana’s story on their Instagram profile, and lots of supporting comments followed:
Now, this misunderstanding opens several issues. First of all, I must note that losing weight is a tough and painful process; I’ve been through it myself. However, it’s extremely rewarding, and it doesn’t change you only physically, but mentally as well. Jana says that the photographer assumed she would be embarrassed by her appearance, so he didn’t include the photo in the gallery. Well, if he decided to assume things rather than communicate – he could have assumed that she wouldn’t have joined the contest if she’d been embarrassed by her body.
Then, omitting someone’s image this way can be interpreted as discrimination. If she was one of the contestants, then her photo should be in the official gallery just like anyone else’s. If she later wanted the photographer to edit or remove the photo, he could have easily done it.
Finally, this story raises the question of editing photos: why do we retouch people, when is it enough, and should we do it at all? It’s the imperfections that make you you. In Jana’s case, her excess skin is the reminder of all the hard work she invested in getting to where she is now. If the photographer decided to retouch the image, it wouldn’t display her as she is. But not posting the photo wasn’t the solution either.
I think what we can all conclude from this story is how important it is to communicate, and it goes both ways. I know it’s tricky to discuss someone’s physical appearance, but the photographer could have asked Jana if she wanted the photo to be included in the gallery or not. On the other hand, if Jana is aware that she’s not quite “there” yet with her looks, she could have said that to the photographer and make it easier for both. But either way, assuming things without asking and communicating is definitely not the way to go.
Editor’s note: we’ve approached the photographer for comments and will update as soon as we hear his reply.
[via People Magazine]
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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22 responses to “Photographer leaves out photo from bodybuilding contest gallery because of contestant’s excess skin”
Communication is the key…
If people made fewer assumptions, (because assumptions are less risky than actually asking real questions) this could be a better world.
Give me a break…SHE entered the contest…meaning she was proud/comfortable with where her body was at the time…The picture would help her chronicle her progress, as well…If she didn’t want to be seen, she wouldn’t have entered the body building contest, knowing she would have to parade up on a stage…The only one uncomfortable with the extra skin was the photographer…
I don’t see any muscle mass on this woman!
No muscle mass at all . If she had entered a weight loss comp it would have been a different story . The shooter wasn’t wrong I’d say the lady choose the wrong competition .
That’s a jackass comment. She chose the competition, she was unashamed. Her photo should have been included. Period.
She choose wrongly ……. for some reason people in America think everything is ok
Oh can’t t call her fat that’s fat shaming and it’s her body , , no it’s disgusting and unhealthy , can’t critique anyone it may hurt feelings … feelings need to be hurt . We are not all equal and my kid needn’t share his toys with yours .. etc .
this lady lost the weight and I truly applaud that , was she in shape to enter the comp , I guess if she met the weight class req . Should she have joined ? I’m of the opinion of no she should not have . Bet her self esteem took a shot at the shooters astetic artistic executive decision.
You are missing the point. She wasn’t lean enough and SHE SAID AS MUCH HERSELF. The fact that you don’t agree that she should be in competition is neither here nor there. The point is that the photographer made the assumption that she should feel ashamed of herself.
And I did note that it was the photographers ascetic choice also that I applauded said choice . .
Some photographers pick photos based on what makes them look good, regardless of the interests of the subject.
The photographer did the right thing.
And you’re a grub.
Sounds as though the photographer was the official photographer hired to document the event. If this contestant was the only one that was omitted, then shame on him. If the contestant wasn’t happy with her looks, she wouldn’t be parading around on stage in a skimpy bikini, would she? If he’s happy to edit the looks of other contestants, I can’t see a problem with editing hers. If he doesn’t want to edit any contestants looks, he only need tell her that he is documenting a contest and that it would be unethical to change her appearance, as that is the contestant’s responsibility.
The only one confused about their part in this contest was the photographer, I hope his supervisor reminds him of his duties as a photographer and then do it. I can assure you that if he hadn’t admitted Arnold scwarteneggar’s pic , he wouldn’t have a job .
Why does the photographer even have discretion on what photos to include or exclude? Isn’t that the job of the editor/organizer?
I would have published the photos. It’s a brave thing she did and she has a beautiful smile. Now it’s published with a much larger audience and it tells a good story.
She entered a body building competition with a terrible body! It wasn’t a weight loss competition. I don’t understand why they even let her enter. Congratulations to her but what a waste of everyone’s time. She has no muscle definition at all, kind of necessary for body building!
That’s not the point of the article.
Being a competitor myself, I can say looks like some incorrect reporting. Definitely not a bodybuilding class. After seeing this lady in the class lineup, definitely looks more like a bikini class. Most who are not involved in physique competition will not understand what has happened in this situation. Most bodybuilding/physique associations are trying to maintain a standard of competition. I commend her achievement, definitely wasn’t the photographers discretion to edit pics. Should have been the executives who make a decision whether she even competes. It isn’t a fat loss competition, it’s a physique competition. It’s a different world on stage, you put yourself out there for judges and everyone else to critique you. The reality is you’ve got to have a thick skin. If you haven’t learned that competing, you eventually will. Hope she isn’t discouraged through it all. Keep training! Stay strong.
What is “tricky” about this??? She entered the competition. Post her photos. Keep the editorializing to yourself and do your job. Period.
DIY should be likewise ashamed for this body shaming headline. Pathetic.
Bad call by photographer. If she’s in a competition she is not “embarrassed” by her body. You’re making the call that she should be embarrassed. And that’s embarrassing.
She’s a body builder. She thought she was good enough to enter the competition. She was proud of her achievement and her progress. Whether or not she was lean enough is a moot point. The photographer was hired to take and post pictures of ALL contestants. If she wasn’t comfortable with how she looked then she wouldn’t have got up on stage in front of god knows how many people for judging.