The LatiNatural collection, by photographer Shirley Miranda-Rodriguez, examines the visual definition of the ''North American'' Latina. Shot almost entirely during the photographer's fifth month of pregnancy, the collection encompasses the images of 118 women photographed in an unchanging background, wearing no make up, in either a delicate white sheet or in the nude.

The collection can be seen as revolutionary in it's exploration of themes of body image, beauty and diversity among this population while immortalizing women of various skin tones, body types, hair textures, ages and professional backgrounds. Among women photographed are published authors, doctors, lawyers, artists, filmmakers, dancers, students, mothers, sisters, grandmothers and maids - all real women. These women, who shared testimonies with the photographer prior to each shoot, transcend a myriad of experiences that reflect in the sincerity of the images. Their stories vary as incest survivors, single mothers, girls dealing with the death of a parent, mothers experiencing the loss of a child, widows, pregnant women, lesbian lovers, cancer survivors, women coping with issues of body image, domestic violence survivors, spiritual leaders and women who are the first in their families to graduate from college.

• New York International Latino Film Festival, Vanguard Series
  New York, New York
  COMING JULY 2005
  
  

• Local Project, Shades of Femininity (Group Show)
  Long Island City, New York
  April 30, 2005
  
  

• The Lit Lounge, Latina Signature Event
  New York, New York
  October 27, 2004
  
  

• The Bolivar Arellano Gallery
  New York, New York
  April 22 - May 23, 2004
  
  

• Ene
  New York, New York
  March 19, 2002
  Preview Exhibition

OTHER COLLECTIONS:

• Local Project, Shades of Femininity (Group Show)
  Long Island City, New York
  April 30, 2005
  "Celestial"
  

• Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Jose Can Speak
  New York, New York
  April, 2005
  "Hombres"