In our latest interview, Britain Uncovered is speaking with Emily Principe and Taylor Cole, two Sydney-based veterinary students who recently organised the 2025 Flash for Farmers naked calendar! During our discussion, we explore why the duo became involved with the project, how they approached the photoshoots, their perspectives on body image and the nudity element of the project, their favourite images from the shoots, early reactions to the calendar, and more!
Britain Uncovered: Hi both! Before we dig in to the calendar itself, can we start by asking a little bit about the vet school you’re at and whereabouts in Australia you’re based?
Taylor: We’re veterinary students studying in Sydney. Our university’s main campus is in the city, but the third year, which we’re in now, is based in a rural area with farms and properties about an hour South-West of Sydney.
BU: How long have vet students at the university been producing these naked calendars, and what were its origins? And at what stage did you both get involved with the calendar?
Emily: The naked calendars have been going for about a decade now. It’s actually something that a number of the vet schools do across Australia and New Zealand, although I’m not sure where exactly it originated.
I became familiar with it in my first year of uni, when I saw advertisements for that year’s photoshoots, and it was something I was interested in. I wasn’t 100% confirmed, but I was interested! And I figured that as I play a bit of sport, and because we’re all fairly young and we try to stay fit through our vet degree (because we’re wrangling animals), it’s probably the fittest I’ll ever be in my life. So I figured, why not give it a go.
On further thought I realised that given the opportunity to opt out, and if I didn’t commit to coordinating the calendar, then there was a good chance I’d opt out at the last minute! Taylor and I have been friends since the first year, so I pulled her aside and said, “Hey, I want to do this, can you help me”? And I don’t know if there were drinks involved or anything, but Taylor’s attitude was, “Yep, great – happy to help!”
BU: What were your reactions to the previous years’ calendars? Despite having contemplated participation for a number of years, was there a tipping point where you decided you absolutely wanted to be involved this year?
Emily: I’d had a few friends and cohorts who had done it, and they all said that it was a really rewarding experience and that they had really enjoyed it.
Taylor and I are both part of the Camden Farms Student Society – which is the student society for the upper years within the vet degree – and we were asked to commit to helping organise one of the society’s events. I remembered the calendar and thought, “Okay, well someone’s going to have to do it”, and I thought it would be a fun way to raise money. I’ve always really enjoyed volunteer work and fundraisers, but sometimes they can be quite challenging and fairly thankless. But I thought this was something that, if nothing else, would make for a great memory, and we’d be producing calendars that we can all enjoy.
The fact that there was an established method to it also helped. I spoke to the girls who had coordinated it last year and asked about it, and it was great hearing all the positive feedback from upper years. I haven’t met anyone who regrets doing it.
Taylor: I feel like when I knew the naked calendar was a thing, when I was an undergrad, I felt that if I got to that point in my degree, then I was going to do it – just for the challenge, I guess. I knew on the actual day I’d be less confident, but I knew I probably wouldn’t ever do something like this again. It’s for a good cause, and because it’s a bit of a tradition as well, it’s nice to be part of that.
BU: How did you prepare ahead of the weekend of photoshoots you ultimately lined up, and how were you feeling going into these, both as organisers and models? Would you say that you’ve felt body confident growing up, by and large, or was posing naked for this type of project slightly outside of your comfort zones?
Emily: The most important preparation for the day, for me, was the tan in a can (we spray tanned!) I think leading up to it, trying to coordinate everything was a big part of it, so luckily the nerves were covered up by wanting to make sure everything ran smoothly. So I think I was distracted enough heading into it, but once I got there I was like, “Oh! Okay, I guess we’re here now! Guess we’re going to have to commit”!
And I found at least within the first 10 minutes I was thinking, “Okay, this is just what I’m doing today”. I realised that I was more worried about what I looked like more than anyone else cared about what I looked like. It takes a lot of trust to be that vulnerable, but everyone was there for a good time and a good cause.
As for my body image, I’m quite tall – six feet tall – pretty solidly built, and I’ve always played sport. I’ve often thought to myself, “Okay, I’m a big girl and I’m a strong girl, but that’s because I’m trying to be healthy for sport.” Which I think has helped a lot. But through the awkward teenage puberty years, I was definitely a little uncomfortable with the fact I was bigger than other girls. I was never small or petite. So definitely as a teenager I was a little less comfortable, but I think for me I’ve always been able to frame things in a way that’s been really healthy. My body does what I need it to do, and I’m fortunate to be very healthy and relatively fit.
If you’d asked me as a teenager if I’d be in a nude calendar, I’d have said absolutely not! I’d have been horrified at the thought. But now I think, “No, absolutely. I’m strong and healthy, and I want to be involved. It’s for a great cause.”
Taylor: I felt the same. It’s sort of the way I approach anything when I’m nervous. I’ll think, “I’ve just got to do it, I guess”, so we just did it. There were six of us on the first day, and the first shoot was the Friday evening. So we were fortunate to have that experience before the bigger group shoot the next day, because we could then talk to those people and explain to them that it is weird, but that they would probably feel good afterwards. It was the photo of the back of us, so we were all lined up, and we took our gear off and tried to just look ahead, and not look at each other!
The photographers were all super professional and it always helps that they don’t make it more than it needs to be. They would give suggestions like, “Actually, just move this way”, and “That was great, the lighting here is good”, so it made for a comfortable environment.
BU: Would you say that participating has had an impact on your own body confidence, or has left an impression in some way? Do you feel any differently about your body having taken part?
Emily: I think for me – especially seeing the photos at the end – it reinforced the fact that ultimately, I’m my biggest critic. When I saw the photos, I immediately thought, “Everyone looks so good, this is amazing, we all look so happy”. And a few people were saying that in certain photos they were squinting a bit, for example, but I hadn’t even noticed that. I think they looked fantastic. It was interesting, for me, as I’m my biggest judge and it reinforced the fact that I’m able to do things, and in the nicest way, no one cares. Realistically, no one cares that I have a bit of acne, and no one cares that my stomach isn’t totally flat, or things like that. I don’t think I necessarily have a new found confidence, but I think it was reassuring more than anything.
And I think it was also a really good opportunity even just to hype up my friends. I think my friends are all gorgeous. They’re obviously so smart – we’re all vet students – but in seeing them posing I thought, “You guys all look so good”. And then hearing from other people, “Oh wow, you look great”, or, “Wow, you look strong”, or whatever. I thought, “Aw, thanks”! So I think it was reassuring and it made me feel good about myself seeing the photos, but I don’t think I’m ready to take up the nudist lifestyle!
But overall it was a net positive for me, and I’m glad I did it.
Taylor: I think the same. I think knowing that in the final results, that things were going to be covered – and that it wasn’t a proper nudity kind of thing – was reassuring also, because I don’t think I’m ready for the full centrefold situation!
But it was good, and when a photographer knows what they’re doing, they know how to put you in the right positions and you end up looking good in the photos anyway. So I didn’t have as much concern. I think parts of me were feeling, “I don’t like the way my stomach looks in that”, but also we don’t want it to be a big production. It’s meant to be natural because it’s students and the farm, and raising money for farmers, so we wanted it to be as natural and as down to earth as possible. So I think that helped as well, and if I thought “I don’t really like that”, it’s just life. At the end of the day, it’s not a problem.
BU: The photoshoots for the calendar took place over the course of three days, but do any of the individual shoots stand out as being among your favourites? Furthermore, was there one specific image that you particularly like, or that you feel best represents what you were trying to achieve?
Taylor: The cover photo with everyone in it is really great, but we didn’t have animals in it because it just would have been too much – just too many people and too many creatures! But it was still really nice, with everyone coming together and posing, and being mature and managing to pull it off.
Emily: It was great to get the big group photo together. It was one where everyone was wearing the coveralls that we wear when we’re treating livestock, and they were folded down so that only the top half was uncovered, which I think was a good segue into it for a lot of people. It was really cool to see everyone there and to watch everyone just breathe out and realise, “This is fine”! And I personally think that Highland cows are adorable, so that was probably my favourite animal to go and see.
My favourite final photo is our July photo – so people have to buy the calendar to see it – but it was our parody of the iconic Beatles photo where they’re crossing the street at Abbey Road. Our photographer said, “Are you girls old enough to know The Beatles?!” And we were like, “Yeah yeah, we know the Beatles!” We were all walking in a line, looking over our shoulders and smiling, and I think that’s my favourite photo because it’s with our close group of friends, and it’s such a good visual memory for me to have. I think it turned out really well and it’s something that’s special for us.
People won’t necessarily realise this when they view it, but we were about 20 metres away from the road! We didn’t have very many people driving by, but there were one or two – one of whom actually messaged the property owner’s son to ask, “What is going on at your house?” Luckily they didn’t interrupt us, and once we were finished for the day we went over to thank the owners. They let us know, “Oh by the way, someone messaged us”, and I thought, “Oh, true, I guess – yep, people are seeing us naked!” And that was a moment where we were fully naked, but that’s probably my favourite photo.
BU: You mentioned about the reactions of locals and passers-by, but what are attitudes towards nudity like in Australia more generally? Is it quite liberal out there, or is this kind of calendar still a little bit of a taboo to an extent? What reactions have you had from friends and family about your involvement with the calendar?
Taylor: I don’t know why – maybe it’s because I’ve seen these calendars in the past – but I feel like it’s not super weird for ‘farmy’ vet people to do this sort of thing. I think when you put a bit more of the farming and countryside element into it, everyone can have a bit of a laugh, I guess.
In general with nudity, I think it really depends on the generation and the area. I wouldn’t say that full nudity is really accepted anywhere, but obviously on the beaches, especially in Sydney, it’s packed with tourists – especially European and South American girls who, when they’re on the beach, are wearing less and less. I think it’s a context thing as well. On a nude beach, you can’t be offended, but if you’re in the middle of the corporate part of the city, it might be a bit different!
Emily: I’ve been talking to a few people, especially some of the models, and their partners had assumed that the calendar is maybe something sexual, when it isn’t. I think once people get their head around that, a lot of people see there’s definitely still a novelty to it, but I think people see it as fun.
And because we’ve chosen to participate and we’ve consented, and we were aware that we’re there naked, I think people are also a little more accepting. It’s not like people are ogling at us from a distance when we’re doing our own thing. We’re actively putting ourselves out there, which I think people are more accepting of. So they’re like, “You’ve chosen to do this and you recognise that you’re naked”!
So yes, definitely there’s still some sort of novelty of it, but the feedback has been positive, overall. One or two people have perhaps made comments that are not super appreciated, but there’s been nothing overly negative or derogatory.
BU: What kind of feedback have you had from the other participants who modelled for the 2025 calendar? Have they provided much feedback about the experience, and if so, has it generally been positive?
Emily: I think overall it definitely has been positive. Even on the day of, we had models who had been roped in by their friends saying, “Thank you so much for telling me to come.” We had one friend who wasn’t going to be able to make it on one of the days, but we made sure there was another shoot she could come to, and she said, “Thank you so much for making sure I was available, I’m so glad I did that.”
I haven’t heard anything negative, and I think as well the fact we then made a point of showing the photos to the students before anything was published meant that no one felt shocked by suddenly seeing themselves nude somewhere. And there were one or two students who said, “I’d prefer if that photo wasn’t posted”, but overall it’s been really positive. And seeing that the models are sharing it with their friends and family, and looking at orders starting to come in where people are saying, “I’m buying them for this person”, and seeing people sharing it on social media – people are proud and happy that they were involved. They don’t regret it, and they’re encouraging people to buy the calendar and support the cause.
BU: This year’s calendar is raising funds for Rural Aid, a non-profit organisation that supports Australian farmers through and after natural disasters of drought, fire and flood. How much money are you hoping to raise for the charity, and has Rural Aid been involved with the process in any way?
Emily: We reached out to them to begin with to get their approval and official authority to fundraise, and they said, “Oh great, this sounds good”. They asked us to stipulate that the calendar is supporting them, and that it wasn’t run by them, but they’ve been really supportive and enthusiastic about it.
In terms of our goal, we’re looking to raise AUD $10,000 [around £5,100]. It’s definitely achievable if we sell all the calendars we ordered, and we also have a donation link available because we know some people might not necessarily want a calendar; or conversely, if they’ve already bought a calendar for themselves, there are only so many walls in the house to put a calendar on, so there is also a donation link available.
BU: Lastly, as you reflect on the project as a whole, would you recommend this type of experience to others? If students in the years below you are perhaps reluctant about taking part in next year’s calendar, for instance, what advice would you offer them, and what do you think they can gain from being involved?
Taylor: If you’re considering it, know that it brings about a weird feeling of freedom afterwards. You just feel proud of yourself, because most people are stepping outside their comfort zones, and it is a bit of a challenge. But it’s a safe environment, you’re with friends, we’re all in our relative primes in life, and it’s for a good cause – especially when it’s part of the vet faculty tradition as well. So if you’re considering it at all, it’s better to give it a crack than to look back in a few years and wish you’d done it.
Emily: I agree. I’m really glad I did it, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone. And even for us, we made it clear to students that it was clearly voluntary, and we gave people the option to pull out right up until photos were taken. We had one or two who sheepishly came along, and then once everyone else dropped their clothes they were like, “Oh, I guess I’m going to jump in”!
I definitely think it’s worth doing, and for us more specifically as vet students, vet school’s really hard. It’s really challenging and it’s been a long three years (or up to seven years if you’ve done an undergraduate degree first). So I think it’s important to find ways to have fun, and I think this is something I’ll be able to look back on. I’m not going to remember my late nights trying to memorise the neurotransmitter pathways – I’m going to remember that weekend that I spent with my friends, running around naked and wrangling animals!
So I think it’s definitely something that’s worth doing, and Taylor and I really made an effort to make sure it was comfortable, inclusive and open for everyone, so that those who were on the fence felt like it was something they were able to do. And that they could do it without judgment or barriers. So if anyone’s given the opportunity to take part in a nude calendar, why not. And if worst comes to worst, in 12 months’ time nobody will be looking at it anyway.
I definitely think it’s been good, and whether it’s nude calendars or other nude events, as long as people feel safe, and as long as people feel they have control over their bodily autonomy, I think it’s a really rewarding and freeing experience; and it’s cool to be able to celebrate everyone and have a fun time with fewer clothes on.
* * *
The images for the calendar were photographed by the following members of the Macarthur Photographic Society: Heidi Bester, Sonia Cochrane, Patrick Cummings, Jenny Delaporte, Martin Huisman, Eileen Neville, Kristina Took and David Williams.
The 2025 Flash for Farmers calendar, which is a 13-month calendar spanning January 2025 to January 2026, is now available to purchase by clicking here. Shipping is available worldwide, and as referenced in the interview, you can also make a standalone donation to Rural Aid to support the vets’ fundraising efforts via the same link above.
To keep tabs on the initiative, and to see additional behind the scenes content in the coming weeks, be sure to follow @flash4farmers on Instagram.