Photographer Marcos Alberti’s bold “O Project” captures something society rarely shows, joy, confidence, and the beauty of women embracing their own pleasure.
The Artist Who Helped the World Loosen Up
Brazilian photographer Marcos Alberti first went viral in 2016 with his playful “3 Glasses” project, a photo series showing people before and after one, two, and three glasses of wine.
The idea was simple yet captivating, document how we physically change as we relax and shed our inhibitions. It was raw, funny, and deeply human.
Now, Alberti has returned with a project that carries a similar spirit of honesty and transformation, but with much greater emotional depth.
He calls it “The O Project.”
Before, During, and After
The concept is both simple and revolutionary: photograph women before, during, and after orgasm.
In partnership with Smile Makers, a brand focused on female sexual wellbeing, Alberti set out to destigmatize a topic that remains taboo in much of the world, women’s pleasure.
Despite its provocative premise, the project is not explicit. All participants were fully covered below the waist and used personal massagers behind a privacy curtain. Alberti’s focus was on the emotion of the moment, not the act itself.
“The underlying message,” Alberti explained, “is that all women deserve to be in control of their sexuality, no matter their background. Women should be free to be empowered by, and have a little fun with, their sexuality.”
Fan Yang, Global Brand Manager for Smile Makers, echoed that sentiment.
“We hope that everyone viewing this project will feel more confident about their bodies and sexuality,” Yang said. “Our goal is to break through stigma and show female pleasure in a positive, healthy light.”
The 20-plus women photographed came from diverse cultural and social backgrounds, some from sexually conservative countries. Seeing their final portraits moved many to tears.
“They were in awe of themselves, glowing and radiant,” Yang said. “You could feel their empowerment.”
Take a look at the images below:
Capturing Confidence, Not Eroticism
In a short documentary video, Alberti is seen welcoming the participants into his studio, explaining the process, and setting up his camera behind a curtain to ensure privacy. His approach was empathetic, respectful, and disarming.
One woman later said:
“Initially, I was still apprehensive… [with] a lot of worry. And this one [pointing to her final photo] is like, ‘Ha! Life is beautiful!’”
That joy, the unfiltered, unposed happiness that radiates after release, is the heart of Alberti’s message.
The project doesn’t aim to shock; it aims to humanize. It reminds us that pleasure isn’t shameful, it’s a natural, healthy expression of being alive.
As Alberti explained, the “O Project” is not about sex; it’s about self-connection, confidence, and emotional truth.
“It’s one of the things that makes photography so powerful,” he said. “You can feel something real, then talk about it with empathy and understanding.”
Why It Matters
Women’s sexual wellness remains one of the most underrepresented conversations in public health and media. Projects like Alberti’s offer a path toward normalizing pleasure as a vital aspect of mental and physical wellbeing.
Beyond the photos, the deeper message resonates: sexual health is self-care.
As one viewer commented after seeing the portraits:
“These women look free. That’s what empowerment really is.”Be sure to follow Marcos Alberti (@marcos_alberti) and Smile Makers for more of their ongoing collaborations promoting sexual health and body confidence.
Watch the video below:
Featured image from: marcosalberti.com