SHE.
A Portrait of Womanhood
She sat in front of the camera, adjusting her scarf. “I never thought someone would want to take my picture,” she said with a small laugh. But in that moment, she became part of something bigger.
100 women, 100 stories, 100 frames capturing the essence of womanhood.
For International Women’s Day, MSV Magazine, in collaboration with photographer Blue, embarked on a journey to document women in their most unfiltered, authentic form. From market traders to doctors, students to teachers, the project “She in 100 Frames” sought to explore a single, yet deeply layered question.
What does being a woman mean to you?
Framing Strength, Beauty & Identity
Women arrived at Blue’s Studio in Utako, an energy filled area in the heart of Abuja ready to be seen. Some hesitated at first, unused to being the subject rather than the observer.
Others owned the moment, standing tall in front of the lens, their gazes unwavering. Each portrait, taken in black and white, stripped away distractions, leaving only the woman and her expression.
Some laughed as the shutter clicked, others shared a quiet, reflective moment, offering a glimpse into their world.
The Story Beyond the Frame – The Documentary
While the photographs told one side of the story, MSV Magazine took on the role of producing and directing the documentary aspect of the project, capturing the emotions and voices behind each portrait. Through guided conversations, the team asked women to reflect on their journeys, creating an intimate space where raw and unfiltered perspectives could shine.
The documentary was co-directed by the amazing filmmaker Stephanie Oki and the team at MSV Magazine whose vision helped bring depth and fluidity to the storytelling. The film does not just document; it invites viewers to listen, to connect, and to feel the many dimensions of womanhood as expressed by the women themselves.
The Question That Defined It All
A central question that everyone was asked: What does it mean to be a woman?
The question often came as a surprise. Many women were momentarily startled, some laughed, and others paused, wide-eyed, as they processed their thoughts. It was a moment of introspection, a chance to verbalize something deeply felt but rarely spoken about.
No two answers were the same, yet all were deeply connected. Some spoke of resilience, of overcoming. Others reflected on joy, on sisterhood, on quiet moments of self-discovery.
Some stories made us laugh, others left us in silence, absorbing the weight of experiences shared.
The answers ranged from moving to inspiring. They told of strength, challenges, hope, and courage.
A woman is strength in softness. A woman is the backbone of generations. A woman is a fighter, a nurturer, a dreamer. A woman is simply… everything.
SHE. A declarative sentence meaning that She is enough and She is all.
Through these 100 frames, we not only saw women but understood them. In capturing their faces, we captured their journeys.
As March 8 has approached, these portraits will be more than images. They will be a statement. A declaration that women, in all their roles and realities, deserve to be seen, heard, and remembered.
Because she is not just in 100 frames she is everywhere.