STRENGTH MARKS: An interview with Zelda Elisco

California-native Zelda Elisco has made it her mission to show women the beauty in parts of their bodies they struggle with the most. With her talent and vision, women around the world are turning their relationship with stretch marks into Strength Marks. 

Tell us about yourself! 

Surprisingly enough, my education and career focus is actually environmental conservation and design! Growing up in a sleepy beach town in California, I spent a lot of my childhood at the beach or in the forest playing, so I have always felt passionate about protecting our planet. I was gifted my first camera when I was 13 years old. From there, I fell in love with photography and was constantly taking photos. I have always been interested in lots of different hobbies; cooking, dancing, singing, painting, etc. Now that I am out of college, I like to sprinkle as many of my favorite hobbies into my daily routine! 

When did you become interested in body positivity and involved in this community? 

I first began taking an interest in body positivity in high school. My senior year, I worked with a small group of classmates to write a gender neutral dress code that was then adapted by our entire school. The year long, painstaking process sparked my interest into wanting to explore the complicated issues of gender, sexuality, slut-shaming, along with other culture constructs. 

“Later, when I began college, I became surrounded by other women constantly competing with each other to look the best. I was exposed to a lot of body-negativity and became very aware that our society had a huge problem to solve; we need to reteach women how to love themselves.”

What was the main inspiration behind Strength Marks? 

Strength Marks was motivated by the desire to create a space of healing for all the amazing women in my life. After 22 years of listening to every person I admired talk negatively about their bodies, I felt I had a duty to create a series that highlighted insecurities and promoted body acceptance. I decided to focus the project on scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, and all other “imperfections” that society deems not worthy. Later, I became inspired by one of Sara Shakeel’s body positive glitter art pieces to incorporate glitter in my project. Of course, being the environmentalist I am, I chose to use biodegradable glitter! 

There are many marks on a woman’s body that cause insecurity – what made you choose stretch marks? 

Although the project is open to all scars, marks, wrinkles, etc – there is a universality to stretch marks that continues to surface. Thus far in the project’s timeline, stretch marks have been the most common subject to photograph on my participants. However, I am super interested in incorporating more participants who are willing to highlight their wrinkles and other marks. 

How do your models come to be involved in the project? 

At first, I only photographed my friends and family. However, once the project began to spread, I started receiving requests to participate! These days, I try to photograph as many humans as possible wherever I am. My dream is to travel across the world and capture more incredible stories and people. 

What is the photographing and preparation process like with the models? 

I conduct photoshoots outside, in natural light. I set up the space and then have each person select their shade of glitter that I will use. Painting the glitter on the model almost always erupts into a candid, tender, conversation about self love. I think by creating a safe space to shoot, the model feels brave enough to dive immediately into discussing their journey with body acceptance. 

“Once we begin shooting, the energy of the space becomes very positive and happy! I love watching each participant grow more confident in themselves with each new pose. There is always a remarkable difference in character from when the model arrives, to when they leave. It is almost as if a weight has been lifted off their shoulders, and they leave the shoot feeling more confident and aware of their divine value.” 

How have women responded to seeing their bodies in such a positive light through your pictures? 

When I reveal the photos to each participant, the response is always overwhelming! It is as though each model can hardly believe that the strong, confident person in the photograph is them. Women all around the world have been so supportive and encouraging of the project. When people write in, I love reading the stories they share. Many people feel comfortable enough to reveal how the project has impacted them and share their own struggles with body acceptance. I feel honored. 

You’ve shot beautiful images in so many locations for Strength Marks. Have you noticed a difference in women’s attitudes toward their body in different areas of the world? 

I would say no. In my experience, no matter where you are in the world, it is quite obvious that the message women have been taught is “we are not good enough.” Therefore, I find that most women’s attitude towards their bodies is negative. Rarely, I will encounter someone who is truly confident in who they are – and to that I applaud them. 

However, there is one positive to women being taught they aren’t enough: we all have a common ground, a source of empathy, we can use to relate and understand each other. Every woman can understand the struggle of body acceptance. Now it is just a matter of using that understanding, that power we all share, to dispel societal beauty standards and support each other. 

What has your own relationship with body image looked like? Has this project helped you with your own relationship to your body? 

Growing up, I always wanted curves. When I finally began growing them in college, I had a lot of anxiety about gaining weight and covering up my stretch marks. I remember feeling like I was losing control of the familiar body I had had for 20 years. I began counting every calorie, and religiously exercising. 

“At a certain point, my body snapped and I knew I had to change my lifestyle habits. Looking back, I understand how disillusioned my perception of myself was. I wish I could have shaken myself and screamed, “Stop doing this to yourself! Other things are more important!” Over the following years, I began focusing on my inner health and less on what I looked like. I prioritized how I felt, and worked on taking care of myself from the inside out.” 

Strength Marks has been a huge part of my daily practice of self love. If I am going to ask people to practice loving their insecurities, I realize I have to do the same. The project has also been a huge creative outlet and allowed me to create a massive love letter to woman everywhere. 

On the Strength Marks Instagram account, you have beautiful quotes and line drawings alongside the images. Are you the artist behind them? 

Yes! I do all the artwork for Strength Marks. It is so much fun to be able to add another artistic element to the project. I have always loved art and I love bringing some of my favorite interview quotes to life with art sketches. 

What is your ultimate goal for Strength Marks? What impact would you like this project to have? 

The ultimate goal for Strength Marks is to continue growing. I would love for the community of participants to expand internationally. In the future, I would like to publish the interviews and photos as a book. From where I am standing, there are limitless opportunities. 

Is there one particular model or story that has stood out to you? Or perhaps an important moment you experienced while doing this project? 

Every photoshoot is so special to me. I am always touched by how vulnerable each participant cares to be. 

I remember, in one of the earliest shoots, the model told me after that she felt truly happy being photographed and sharing her scars. It felt so good to receive positive feedback about the project. It was in that moment that I realized what Strength Marks could be for people. 

If you could tell women just one piece of advice, what would it be? 

“Be kind. Be kind to others, and be kind to yourself. I think we forget that our first role is taking care of ourselves, being our own source of nurture. It’s so important to advocate, take time, and let yourself heal. It is something I am practicing every day.” 

Would you like to get involved in Strength Marks? 

You can contact Zelda or apply to be a model in the Strength Marks project by visiting the project’s website strengthmarks.com! And don’t forget to check out and follow the Strength Marks Instagram page! 

Zelda Elisco is an environmental designer and the founder, photographer and artist behind the body positive movement Strength Marks. You can learn more about Zelda’s work and Strength Marks on the Strength Marks website or Instagram account!