Mihaela Noroc has photographed women in 55 countries, and the images are stunning. Started as an online photography project in 2013, Noroc’s The Atlas of Beauty highlights the authenticity and diversity of women around the globe. She’s traveled everywhere from New York City to Afghanistan’s remote Wakhan Corridor, photographing extraordinary women along the way.
Now four years into the project, Noroc has collected 500 of her favorite portraits into a gorgeous book. Also titled The Atlas of Beauty, it pairs photographs with notes about each image’s subject. Check out the gallery to view some of Noroc’s captivating shots.
We adore the book so much at Paste that we’ve partnered with Ten Speed Press for a giveaway! For a chance to win one hardcover copy of The Atlas of Beauty, follow @PasteBooks on Twitter and retweet this tweet by 5 p.m. EST on Sunday, November 19th. You must have a U.S. address to enter. We’ll announce the winner on Sunday evening!
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Bucharest, Romania
Iulia loves to cruise the streets of the city with her longboard because it gives her a great feeling of freedom. I imagine it feels like vacation, even on the way to work. But her real love is surfing; she dreams of riding the waves of Hawaii someday.
Reprinted with permission from The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits by Mihaela Noroc, copyright (c) 2017. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Photographs (c) 2017 by Mihaela Noroc.
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Kathmandu, Nepal
Sona is celebrating Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, and among the most spectacular gatherings I witnessed in my travels. A time to forgive and to be forgiven, Holi marks the coming of spring, when good triumphs over evil.
Reprinted with permission from The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits by Mihaela Noroc, copyright (c) 2017. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Photographs (c) 2017 by Mihaela Noroc.
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Paris, France
Anja is Belgian with Polish origins and dreams to compete in the Paralympic Games.
Reprinted with permission from The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits by Mihaela Noroc, copyright (c) 2017. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Photographs (c) 2017 by Mihaela Noroc.
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New York City, USA
Abby and Angela are sisters with an Ethiopian mother and a Nigerian father…After graduation, they both plan to move to Africa and put their knowledge in the service of that amazing continent.
Reprinted with permission from The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits by Mihaela Noroc, copyright (c) 2017. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Photographs (c) 2017 by Mihaela Noroc.
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Chichicastenango, Guatemala
Maria is a vegetable vendor in the market of her small town. She became shy as soon as she saw the camera.
Reprinted with permission from The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits by Mihaela Noroc, copyright (c) 2017. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Photographs (c) 2017 by Mihaela Noroc.
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Idomeni Refugee Camp, Greece
Alice is a British volunteer holding a Kurdish refugee from Syria.
Reprinted with permission from The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits by Mihaela Noroc, copyright (c) 2017. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Photographs (c) 2017 by Mihaela Noroc.
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Omo Valley, Ethiopia
Her tribe is called the Daasanach, and they have lived in isolation for generations.
Reprinted with permission from The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits by Mihaela Noroc, copyright (c) 2017. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Photographs (c) 2017 by Mihaela Noroc.
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Naples, Italy
Serena makes these little horns, "Cornicelli," which are ancient good-luck charms popular in Naples and parts of southern Italy.
Reprinted with permission from The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits by Mihaela Noroc, copyright (c) 2017. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Photographs (c) 2017 by Mihaela Noroc.
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Kathmandu, Nepal
She was walking with her son. She didn't speak English, but he did. So I told him I wanted to photograph his mother. And he asked me why. "Because she's beautiful."
He proudly smiled and looked at his mother. "Yes, she is."
Reprinted with permission from The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits by Mihaela Noroc, copyright (c) 2017. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Photographs (c) 2017 by Mihaela Noroc.
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The Atlas of Beauty is available now from Ten Speed Press.