Portrait nominee

In 2020, I began a year-long, daily self-portrait project. '366' is an exploration of what can be created as a self-portrait photographer, mother, and partner. As much progress as we make, women - mothers in particular - are still expected to prioritize others over ourselves, and to project feelings of happiness while we do it. In our current social environment, women are expected to abandon their own goals to parent, teach, and care for others. As a working mother, I've felt the pressure to ignore my own to support others'. Choosing to gain fulfillment from one's career or passion, rather than primarily family or children, is looked down upon, and women who do choose to often battle shame and disparagement. This overlaps greatly with how mothers often feel about their post-partum bodies, and evolving sexuality. We, as women and as mothers, are capable to making things with our bodies beyond children.

Janice Checchio has been an art director, editorial designer, photo editor, photographer, or some combination of the aforementioned for 14 years. She is a recipient of a 2021 Mass Cultural Council Fellowship in Photography. She lives a photo–ready life in Dorchester, Massachusetts with her husband, son, and too many pairs of glasses.