About a month ago I mentioned that I have collaborated on a top-secret project with some incredible local business owners: Jennifer from the Organic Bronzing Station and Debbie from Embrace and Love Change.
Jennifer approached my with this very clear vision of wanting to portray actual clients in a real way. As a business owner in the beauty industry, she knows how hard this can be to accomplish, which is why she never purchases stock photography to use on her website or in marketing for her products. As a woman, this sends a strong message to me about accepting my body and loving it after 2 kids. You’ll notice each person is wearing a bracelet; this is where Debbie comes in. For every one she sells, she sends one to a woman in need to spread positive vibes. My role here was to photograph these people in a way that conveyed their story; I suggested they be draped only in a sheet for vulnerability and continuity. Turns out it had a very empowering effect – no concern about what they were wearing or how it looked – they were free to just relax and be themselves. None of these people are professional models and none have been airbrushed or altered. They are just real people with real stories to tell, that are heartbreaking and inspiring and terrifying and joyful all at the same time. Stories of strength and survival and hope.
Over the next few weeks I will be sharing a photo of a model and a snippet of their story on my Facebook page; in the meantime, here are a few of my favorite photos of each model. To see the full video and read about Jennifer’s vision from her POV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jMYx5DdkWA&feature=youtu.be
