Haley Morris-Cafiero

In the series "Self Improvement", Morris-Cafiero responded to both positive and negative commentary about "Wait Watchers". In the negative comments, people complained that she would have a more positive reaction from onlookers if she exercised or got a makeover. The new series shows her in situations like this. She said that she was still met with "criticism and mockery". Whilst she was distressed by some of these comments she was also aware that whilst these comments were short lived her work had a much longer life span. The photographs were set in what she called "the most-vain cities in America", such as Venice Beach, California. She also targeted areas that her research told her had a high degree of eating disorders. The project continued through April 2015.

Morris-Cafiero solicited donations on Kickstarter to publish her work in a book. The book, which includes both positive and negative online commentary interspersed with the pictures, was published in December 2015. She said the book is "about how we look at one another and judgments". Other projects include a series where she dresses up as her critics to demonstrate the false personas used online. She has stated that her influencers includes Jenny Saville, Sophie Calle and Adrian Piper.

Morris-Cafiero was working on another project when she was inspired to begin the "Wait Watchers" series. A chance picture captured the amused expression of a passer-by as he looked at her. When she noticed that she had again accidentally captured the expression of a random passer-by who was observing her, she worked to capture more reactions. She started this project in 2010 when she began travelling to places such as Paris, Barcelona, and even Times Square. Although she had heard critical comments about her weight, she is not disheartened and instead feels empowered because she has the courage to face these situations. Morris-Cafiero sets up the camera first, then enters the shot as the camera takes continuous pictures. She is not aware of the reactions of the people around her at the time of the picture. People respond more naturally when she seems distracted, so she attempts to perform actions that would give that impression; otherwise, she acts normally and does not draw attention to herself.

Although muscular from her involvement in sports, Morris-Cafiero was anorexic as a teenager. As health concerns from her eating disorder caused her to realize the dangers of her lifestyle, she became less active. Due to hypothyroidism, she quickly gained weight in college, where she experienced discrimination due to her weight. Morris-Cafiero said people would anonymously leave low-calorie food and passive-aggressive notes about her weight. Though she tried dieting, her hypothyroidism kept her from easily losing weight. Born in Atlanta, she is a graduate of the University of North Florida, where she earned a BA in Photography and a BFA in Ceramics in 1999. Morris-Cafiero also holds a MFA from the University of Arizona in Art.

Haley Morris-Cafiero (born 1976) is an American photographer, Associate Professor of Photography and Acting Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Memphis College of Art. Her series "Wait Watchers", in which she photographs the reactions of passers-by to her presence, went viral in 2013. She has since become a commentator on issues of anti-fat bias and obesity in the United States; as well as a Body Positivity and Anti-Bullying Workshop volunteer with Girls, Inc.