Image — My Little Princess

Photographer Heather Mitchell created a viral photo series showing young girls as both princesses and athletes—wearing tutus while holding softballs or wearing cleats under ballgowns—to prove they don't have to choose between being "girly" and being strong.

One of the most famous and debated uses of this theme is the work of , a French photographer of Romanian descent. In the 1970s, she gained notoriety for a series of photographs featuring her young daughter, Eva Ionesco . My Little Princess image

Decades later, in 2011, Eva Ionesco directed the film My Little Princess as a semi-autobiographical reflection on her childhood. It stars Isabelle Huppert as the eccentric, obsessive mother/photographer. Modern Empowering Interpretations Photographer Heather Mitchell created a viral photo series

These images sparked massive debate over the boundaries of artistic freedom versus child exploitation. Decades later, in 2011, Eva Ionesco directed the