PHOTOGRAPHY

My struggle with obesity

new

The photographer Abbie Trayler-Smith, who also battled with her weight as a teenager, tells Shannon’s story in pictures

The book Kiss it! is the result of a long-term collaboration between the photographer Abbie Trayler-Smith and Shannon, who is obese. Over the course of 12 years, Trayler-Smith documented Shannon’s journey from teenager to adult, navigating friendships, family, first boyfriends, prom nights, holidays and jobs. Shannon, 22 in this picture, has been the central inspiration for Trayler-Smith’s long-term project, The Big O, examining obesity in school-age children and young adults
The book Kiss it! is the result of a long-term collaboration between the photographer Abbie Trayler-Smith and Shannon, who is obese. Over the course of 12 years, Trayler-Smith documented Shannon’s journey from teenager to adult, navigating friendships, family, first boyfriends, prom nights, holidays and jobs. Shannon, 22 in this picture, has been the central inspiration for Trayler-Smith’s long-term project, The Big O, examining obesity in school-age children and young adults
ABBIE TRAYLER-SMITH
The Times
In 2018, when she was 22, Shannon went on holiday to the Costa del Sol
In 2018, when she was 22, Shannon went on holiday to the Costa del Sol
ABBIE TRAYLER-SMITH
When she was 16 Shannon had the words Kiss it! tattooed on her bottom as a message to the people who bullied her
When she was 16 Shannon had the words Kiss it! tattooed on her bottom as a message to the people who bullied her
ABBIE TRAYLER-SMITH
At the age of 15 Shannon was watching what she ate
At the age of 15 Shannon was watching what she ate
ABBIE TRAYLER-SMITH
The school prom is a tough time for many teenagers but Shannon, from Sheffield, appeared to be having a ball
The school prom is a tough time for many teenagers but Shannon, from Sheffield, appeared to be having a ball
ABBIE TRAYLER-SMITH
Shannon had a gastric balloon inserted into her stomach at at Sheffield Children’s Hospital when she was 16
Shannon had a gastric balloon inserted into her stomach at at Sheffield Children’s Hospital when she was 16
ABBIE TRAYLER-SMITH
The night before the operation Shannon posed for a photograph in her bedroom
The night before the operation Shannon posed for a photograph in her bedroom
ABBIE TRAYLER-SMITH
Shannon, aged 14, on her way to school in Sheffield. It is estimated that one in three children in the UK are now classified as obese or overweight
Shannon, aged 14, on her way to school in Sheffield. It is estimated that one in three children in the UK are now classified as obese or overweight
ABBIE TRAYLER-SMITH
On holiday in Spain
On holiday in Spain
ABBIE TRAYLER-SMITH
A moment from Shannon’s 19th birthday party
A moment from Shannon’s 19th birthday party
ABBIE TRAYLER-SMITH
As a teenager Abbie Trayler-Smith also struggled with her weight and wrote Fat on her exercise book in Tippex as a “form of self shame used as motivation”. She said: “It’s my story as well as Shannon’s and another 124 million kids around the world”
As a teenager Abbie Trayler-Smith also struggled with her weight and wrote Fat on her exercise book in Tippex as a “form of self shame used as motivation”. She said: “It’s my story as well as Shannon’s and another 124 million kids around the world”
ABBIE TRAYLER-SMITH
Trayler-Smith’s wish list is probably similar to that of many teenagers: to look and feel good. Her father also offered her a cash incentive to lose weight
Trayler-Smith’s wish list is probably similar to that of many teenagers: to look and feel good. Her father also offered her a cash incentive to lose weight
ABBIE TRAYLER-SMITH
ABBIE TRAYLER-SMITH