ADVERTISEMENT

"Did your boyfriend beat you?" "Did you wash the rest of the paint off your face?" "You have your lipstick all over." These are just some of the comments received by the subjects of Copenhagen-based professional photographer Linda Hansen's recent photo series, titled Nevus Flammeus. Also known as port-wine stain, nevus flammeus is a congenital vascular malformation that causes birthmarks ranging in color from light rose to dark red. Staring at somebody with this condition would be considered rude if you saw them out on the street, but Hansen's portrait photography encourages you to stare in order to force the viewer to see the facial features and the person behind the birthmark.

"I want to make a confrontation," Hansen told Feature Shoot. "How long do you have to look? When do you start to see the other details in the photo? The nose or that the clothes are sitting a little wrong. All the small details are really important. When you have looked enough at these beautiful people, the mark doesn't become interesting anymore. I compare it to having a tattoo: It's curious, or a special mark with history. It's unconventional beauty. How come when you have a mark with nature, this is not OK?"

Scroll down to see the beautiful photos for yourself and tell us what you think in the comments!

More info: Linda Hansen (h/t: Feature Shoot)

#2

Naevus Flammeus

Linda Hansen Report

Add photo comments
POST
okha-neul avatar
Ok Ha-Neul
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so adorable sad though because kids can be really cruel about that kinda stuff

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#4

Naevus Flammeus

Linda Hansen Report

Add photo comments
POST
truhlovesmanders15 avatar
Lucybaby
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always a nose bleed, I wonder how much she's heard that? Beautiful!

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

Naevus Flammeus

Linda Hansen Report

Add photo comments
POST
emilywolff87 avatar
Emily Wolff
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sad that this post chooses to call these folk "brave". I have a large port wine stain and don't feel brave having my photo taken, wearing tshirts that show it off, or really doing anything to cover it up. People come in all shapes, sizes, look different, and have different characteristics. Lets get to a point where one doesn't have to be brave to be themselves.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#16

Naevus Flammeus

Linda Hansen Report

Add photo comments
POST
wroehlig avatar
Nancy E
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Before there was laser surgery, Dermablend was frequently uses by those that wished to cover. Not all do , &, that is a personal decision .

black_mojave avatar
Catalina Ioan
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had to look that up, and wow, is that thing amazing (assuming it really works as advertised)! I had no idea such a thing existed beyond movie sets or the like.

Load More Replies...
sheilarobinson avatar
Sheila Robinson
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't have to live with a port wine birthmark, and I understand those who do may get tired of the comments, but I find the asymmetry and colour really interesting, and often it looks quite lovely to me.

krchnavyr avatar
Jayne Cummins Krchnavy
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My hubby has a brown birthmark on the side of his face. I no longer notice it, but when people do, I love that it makes him unique. Gods kiss

denstar avatar
Den Star
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw a lady last week with a similar birth mark but hers was a patch of hair. (I don't know what that is called nor how common it is.)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Naevus Flammeus

Linda Hansen Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda