Mihaela Noroc is an incredibly talented Romanian photographer who decided to embark on a journey around the world. Her mission was to show the diverse beauty of women across the globe.
For the past four years, Noroc has been traveling with only her backpack and her camera. Every day she photographs women and collects their stories. Her photo project is called The Atlas of Beauty and she shares the gorgeous photos through her Instagram and Facebook.
“For me, the real beauty has no age, colours or trends. You can find it in Africa or in Europe, in a village or in a skyscraper, in a smile, in a gesture, in an intense gaze, in some wrinkles, or in a story. You can find it in every kind-hearted human being,” Noroc says on Bored Panda.
Her incredible photos below show that diversity is beautiful, it should be embraced, it shouldn’t trigger conflicts.
We are all human beings.
1. Ethiopia
“She is a Muslim and her best friend, another young woman who owns this small terrace, is a Christian. While traveling in Ethiopia, in February, I admired the way Christians and Muslims get along. I saw many beautiful friendships that go beyond religion.”
2. Turkey
“‘I’ve never tried to hide it. I’ve always seen it like something that makes me special.’ Burcu, talking about her birthmark, a few weeks ago in Istanbul, Turkey, and showing how great is to be yourself.”
3. Amazon Rainforest
“She was wearing her wedding outfit.”
4. Wakhan Corridor, Afghanistan
“She was working in the field in one of the most remote places of the world.”
5. Nampan, Myanmar
“I met this lovely lady at a local market.”
6. Korolyov, Russia
“Nastya takes passport photos in this little shop, but her dream is to take landscape photos around the world.”
7. Reykjavik, Iceland
8. Istanbul, Turkey
“Tutku is from Istanbul, Turkey. She experienced many heart breaking moments in her life, but her positive spirit always gave her the strength to move forward. Her mother had several miscarriages before giving birth to her. When she was a child, her father paralysed and Tutku had to start working for a living at an early age. Her determination paid off and a few years ago she became a chef. But again life hit her hard. One day Tutku totally lost her hearing. She went to many doctors but her case seemed hopeless. “Once, I was staying on my balcony. And I closed my eyes and said to myself: If, when I will open my eyes, I will see at least a bird on the sky that means I will hear again. I was afraid to open my teary eyes and I stayed a long time like that. When I finally had the courage to look on the sky, I saw two birds.” After a while Tutku received an innovative implant that provides a sense of sound. Now she can work again, as a chef, but her hearing is still weak and that’s a huge challenge in a busy restaurant. But Tutku didn’t complain, when we met. In the contrary: She was grateful for every second of her new life.”
9. Tehran, Iran
“Foruzan was on her way to a painting course when I met her one month ago on the busy streets of Tehran, Iran.”
10. Tbilisi, Georgia
“I noticed Lila in her small shop from Tbilisi, Georgia, last week. I was amazed to find out that she has been keeping a diary for 36 years. She told me that she writes in it everyday, because otherwise she simply cannot fall asleep in the evening. She always starts with the weather of the day and than continues with stories of her and her family and friends. She wants to let these fascinating memories to her four children, so they will pass through generations.
In the rush for sensational and glorious stories we forget that the most precious ones are sometimes next to us.”
11. Belgrade, Serbia
“I met Angela on the shores of Sava river, the place where many residents of Belgrade, Serbia, sunbathe during summer. I noticed that even in moments of relaxation most Serbian women radiate strength and confidence.”
12. Iraqi refugee in Greece
“I met this brave mother of three children last year in Idomeni Refugee Camp from Greece. She escaped from her hometown in Iraq, which was under ISIS’s control. She traveled a long road to Europe with her children, spending all her savings, in hope of a safer life. She found herself captive, like many other refugees, between different games of power. There are many to blame for that, but at least us, the ordinary people, could treat these people better… The way we would like to be treated if we would be in their place.”
13. Delphi, Greece
“She’s Eleni, from Delphi, and although she wears modern clothes in a normal day, I had the chance to meet her during last Easter.”
14. Guatemala
“A beautiful family dressed in stunning outfits made by the mother. I took this photo in a small town in Guatemala, in January.”
15. Havana, Cuba
16. The photographer, Mihaela Noroc, in Brazil
“That’s me in Olinda, Brazil, a few days ago. During my travels around the world I had many challenges.
There were a few hard moments when I just wanted to go home and have a comfortable life. But knowing that so many people, from so many parts of the world, follow The Atlas of Beauty, gave me strength and enthusiasm to continue. And then better days came! Thank you so much to all of you for being part of this community and sending me so much positive energy every day!”
17. Medellin, Colombia
“Estefanía from Medellin, Colombia, in 2014.”
18. Native Venezuelan in Uruguay
19. Naples, Italy
“Serena makes these little horns which are popular amulets of good luck in Naples and other parts of Southern Italy. They are called “Cornicelli” in Italian and have ancient origins. ‘This small workshop was opened by my parents. Now me and my sister continue the tradition. I make the horns here and she sells them downstairs, where we have a store.’ While traveling In Naples, last year, I discovered a fascinating city, full of traditions, where most people have very strong ties with their families.”
20. Rio de Janiero, Brazil
“Daughters and mother on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.”
21. Amsterdam, Netherlands
“‘We are resting, after a long day at work.’ Rachelle is from #Amsterdam, #Netherlands, where I met her one month ago.”
22. Pokhara, Nepal
“It was a Sunday in 2015 and just like every weekend, many people from Pokhara, Nepal were spending their time around the splendid Phewa lake.”
23. Montevideo, Uruguay
“Mariana, 73 owns an art gallery in Montevideo, Uruguay. She also has a black belt in martial arts. Very different kinds of art, coexisting in one woman.”
24. Kathmandu, Nepal
“The sweetest moment, a few days ago in Kathmandu, Nepal.”
25. Shiraz, Iran
“Yalda is a painter from Shiraz, Iran and I photographed her last week.”
26. Amman, Jordan
“Lina is the founder of SheFighter, one of the first self-defense schools for women in the Arab world. I met her at her studio, in Amman, Jordan, last year. As a girl, Lina was often bullied by boys because she tried to compete with them. At 14 she started studying Taekwondo, earned a black belt, and competed successfully until her knee blew out. Doctors advised her to find another career. Instead, she chose to spread the word about the practice she loved, empowering women through strength, skill, and confidence. In this way she changed the lives of many of her students who faced street harassment or violence in their own homes. Her courses begun in her parents’ basement 7 years ago, but in the meantime the school grew amazingly and Lina trained thousands of women around Middle East. She says she is often asked by husbands, ‘Are you going to teach our wives to beat us up? No, I am going to teach your wife to defend herself from violence.'”
27. Abyaneh, Iran
“I met this lovely lady a few months ago in a picturesque Iranian village called Abyaneh. We couldn’t communicate too much, because of the language barrier, but sometimes words are simply not needed.”
28. Pushkar, India
“Sunita is one of the beautiful children that live in desert tent camps around Pushkar, India. Many tourists photograph her, because of her spectacular eyes, but a few are interested to help. She badly damaged her left hand when she was little. Her father died almost a year ago. The tent camp communities have no power or plumbing, and there are a lot serious health problems. Please click the link and find out more. Make a donation and give a chance for a better life, to these beautiful children. http://vikasproject.org/
29. St. Petersburg, Russia
“Eleonora is from Saint Petersburg, Russia, where I met her last year. She studies ballet at Vaganova Academy, among the world’s most prestigious. Her extreme effort and willingness to forego free time is not typical for an adolescent. But when she dances, she soars. Her colleagues and professors told me she is considered the best in the school and could someday be among the top ballerinas of her time. But Eleonora is too modest to agree with them. ‘I don’t want to think about how good I am. In ballet, everything is so fragile. A simple injury can end your career in a second.'”
30. Zurich, Switzerland
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“Patricia and Rebecca, from Switzerland, are sisters. There’s only one-year difference between them. ‘When we were small, most of the kids laughed at our red hair. But that brought us closer to each other.’ Years have passed and I noticed them in Zürich Central Station, two days ago. There was something magical about them.”
