I am beautiful...
Last night I was reading this blog post by This Little Blonde.
I was moved.
I was inspired... a photography project!
25 images of women that I think are beautiful, right here, surrounding me.
I started listing names, then looked at my calendar... Sunday is Mother's Day... hmmm. I have some time on Saturday. (Can you hear the wheels turning?)
I want to open this up, to more than 25. I want it to be bigger.
I want to photograph you, whoever you are (near me of course).
I feel great satisfaction when someone comes to me after I've taken their photo, and they are wearing a smile. Sometimes I even get a surprised 'ohhhh'. The image they see is better than the one they had in their head.
The lens, my lens, captures something different than you see day after day, staring back at you from the mirror.
As I took these sample photos, I said to each of these women 'you are beautiful'. Some rolled their eyes! When I asked them to say it... 'I am beautiful' I could see the shift in their countenance, a light in their eyes. Even if it's uncomfortable to say, there is something that resonates in our spirit when we speak that truth... even if we still need a little convincing.
Each time I said 'I am beautiful' for each of these women I got a little choked up.
Why is that hard to say? Could it me my butt size, my chest size, those extra pounds, my unpainted toenails, my sweaty head, wrinkles, scars? Possibly! It doesn't have to be.
'Beauty' is a subjective word. Being beautiful isn't. It's just a belief, a truth. Sometimes we choose not to believe in the truth, we put definitions or stipulations on what it is supposed to be... and we hurt ourselves by doing that.
It's simply a choice... to believe, I am beautiful. I am all that I need to be.
My friend Molly said to me, 'My only requirement is that you let me (her) take your photo too!'
I didn't let her!!! :) BUUUUT, I do have many of myself already... for my clothes posts!
So I'll start... I am beautiful... right now I'll believe it! It's a choice right? Will you say it? Will you believe it? YES!
Here are some beautiful women I love!
I was moved.
I was inspired... a photography project!
25 images of women that I think are beautiful, right here, surrounding me.
I started listing names, then looked at my calendar... Sunday is Mother's Day... hmmm. I have some time on Saturday. (Can you hear the wheels turning?)
I want to open this up, to more than 25. I want it to be bigger.
I want to photograph you, whoever you are (near me of course).
I feel great satisfaction when someone comes to me after I've taken their photo, and they are wearing a smile. Sometimes I even get a surprised 'ohhhh'. The image they see is better than the one they had in their head.
The lens, my lens, captures something different than you see day after day, staring back at you from the mirror.
As I took these sample photos, I said to each of these women 'you are beautiful'. Some rolled their eyes! When I asked them to say it... 'I am beautiful' I could see the shift in their countenance, a light in their eyes. Even if it's uncomfortable to say, there is something that resonates in our spirit when we speak that truth... even if we still need a little convincing.
Each time I said 'I am beautiful' for each of these women I got a little choked up.
Why is that hard to say? Could it me my butt size, my chest size, those extra pounds, my unpainted toenails, my sweaty head, wrinkles, scars? Possibly! It doesn't have to be.
'Beauty' is a subjective word. Being beautiful isn't. It's just a belief, a truth. Sometimes we choose not to believe in the truth, we put definitions or stipulations on what it is supposed to be... and we hurt ourselves by doing that.
It's simply a choice... to believe, I am beautiful. I am all that I need to be.
My friend Molly said to me, 'My only requirement is that you let me (her) take your photo too!'
I didn't let her!!! :) BUUUUT, I do have many of myself already... for my clothes posts!
So I'll start... I am beautiful... right now I'll believe it! It's a choice right? Will you say it? Will you believe it? YES!
Here are some beautiful women I love!
I want to capture your beauty, come help me with my project!
When: Saturday May 11.
Where: I will be at Bassett Park from 2-4 (longer if needed/wanted)
*I'll change the location if needed based on weather... check FB for updates.
*I'll change the location if needed based on weather... check FB for updates.
Come and let me take your photo. There is a playground, bring your kids if you have to. No appointment is necessary. I'll snap them as you come! It's Mother's Day, do it for yourself... BUT, come even if you aren't a mom! Women of all ages are welcome, bring grandma, bring your teen, come and claim your truth... You are Beautiful!
I will edit one for each of you (all images will be black and white) and put them up on my photography blog, large enough for you to copy and paste them, then print if you'd like. No strings, no purchases, no money... my gift for you, to help you see your truth!
Follow up photos are found on my photography blog...
Follow up photos are found on my photography blog...