I have spent time with olympians, world champions, musicians, millionaires, and Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover models. What I have found is that each and EVERY one of them gets insecure. EVERY one of them doubts themselves at times. So, if the world class doubt themselves, we ALL will doubt ourselves...and theres nothing wrong with that.

My friend, Jessielyn Palumbo was crowned Miss New Jersey USA in 2016, and one of her passions and goals during her rein was womens empowerment. Now, as a professional photographer, she continues to make an impact worldwide. In her newest project, This is Beauty, a photographic series, Jessielyn shows a vulnerable yet powerful side of beauty. This raw, and honest piece features the former Miss New Jersey USA, along with some of her Miss USA sisters opening up in a never before seen work of art.

The following is a guest post by Jessielyn Palumbo, Miss New Jersey USA 2016...

As a woman passionate about empowering other women, and instilling self-love and self-worth into our youth, I have had enough of the criticism and the false portrayal of what we as women, should look like. And I have decided to take action.

In todays society, many women feel the need to fit a certain mold, or to edit their pictures to unrealistic perfection. As a former titleholder, I have received criticism first-hand both in and out of pageantry. I have been criticized for not fitting into someone elses standard of beauty (their opinion), and bullied by people who know nothing about me except what they see in a photo. The irony of it all, is that despite such criticisms, I still held my head high and did what I ventured into the pageant world to do: empower other women. I, along with a few of my Miss USA sisters, have decided to continue to rise above these critics by celebrating ourselves in the most vulnerable, yet confident way possible. In only our skin and little makeup, we are embracing our every curve and so-called flaws unedited. There is no ideal form of beauty and everyone is beautiful in their own unique way. WE ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL. #ThisISBeauty

Series name : This IS Beauty