Battered Women's Shelter Photoshoot yesterday

IF you are anything like me, you'll look at this long post and think "oh gosh, no way" and get out of this screen. I know this is long. But I urge you to read it and help the community in any way you can. It does make a difference.

I came back from WPPI in March inspired by Sandy Puc's involvement in Denver projects and vowed I would do something to benefit my community in some way.

It had been 2 months since I walked into the XXX shelter looking to discuss my idea of a glamour photoshoot with someone in charge who I was hoping would be just as excited as I was about the concept. The idea was exciting to the shelter and so we moved forward.

Why did I want to do this project? Because of my love for capturing beauty and I wanted to do share it with someone who desperately needed to see it within themselves. Boosting their confidence and self esteem during a difficult time in their lives was the goal.

I wanted to do a community project to benefit women. I could have chosen something involving kids or even animals, I do love both. But I truly wanted to photograph women. Their faces tell a story.

In the end, they would have had a fun day out and picked out an image that I could touchup and print in a 5x7.

Salon owner, hair stylists, make up artists and friends of small businesses all came forward to help. The generousity was unreal. They all volunteered their time and talent to ensure a perfect day for these ladies.

The day finally came and we were all excited.

10 women arrived and after introductions, the salon girls went to work. After the glamourous makeup and hair do's, I took them one by one for a short photoshoot nearby. With minimal direction, they were working it! Never mind that it was 103 degrees out, it didn't matter. What mattered was their joyous expressions after seeing how truly beautiful they were on the little camera screen. "Oh my gosh, is that really me?" I heard that common phrase over and over thru a happy screech in their voices. Others just smiled and said "Wow. Thank you."

That was the purpose of putting something like this together. I wanted every woman to realize how truly beautiful she is and bring it out. They all had it. Each and every one.

I was with one of the last 2 girls walking across the parking lot when I saw a yellow corvette pull up. My brain started spinning and without any shame, I chased the driver and asked him if we could use his car for a prop for a modeling photoshoot. He was honored he said, and willingly agreed. We were ecstatic. I photographed girls separately and together by the bright yellow corvette. Other historic cars pulled up and we were back to work shooting next and inside those too. The owners were so generous. They had no idea who these girls really were and what an impact this was having on them.

Due to confidentiality agreements, I cannot attach pictures to this blog of their faces. I would love to, however, they are hiding from their abusers.

-One girl in particular captured my heart and soul. She is in her early 20's. She told me of her love for photography and shared her excitement about filling out applications to volunteer abroad in Africa working with Aids victims, kids no less. I let her take some pictures of her friend. Her beauty is unreal. Stunning girl. Every time she spoke to me, her eyes teared up. I can't imagine what she is going thru.

-Another lady, a beautiful redhead, didn't say much during the day but always had a radiant smile. There was something about her. Her fine lines on her face told a story but she didn't share her story. That's okay. All that mattered was that she had a smile now.

-Then there was G. She hugged and kissed me her 'thank you's'. She told me proudly that her son just got married and he wants to hang a picture of his mama on the wall. That would be the pretty picture we were about to take.

-And then can't forget about S. She saw herself in the camera screen and said 'Wow.' She asked repeatedly if I can come to the shelter and take pictures of her and her daughter. Her daughter was 7 yrs old and she didn't own any 'nice' pictures of them together.

-Last but not least, there was C. Her eyes were so blue and bright that they could melt any heart. I could spend hours photographing her. I can't imagine anyone looking into her eyes and wanting to do damage to that soul.
Not to any soul for that matter.

There were others. They have stories too.

I urge any and all photographers to donate their time and talent to something or someone in need. I knew this day would be exciting for them as well as for those all involved in helping out.

What I didn't realize was how it would move me in such a manner I can't explain.



Special thank you to:
--Lana Khoury, my make up artist cousin at the Biltmore Resort in Phoenix. I called her while in the parking lot at the shelter and asked her to help me with this project and she didn't hesitate. Thank you love.
-Tawnya, Lindsey, Marianne, Sabrina, Calynn and Sandi of Indulgence Head to Toe Salon in Scottsdale, Az for opening up the salon and donating their time and talent and making this happen. Tawnya, you'll never know how much I appreciate you.
-Glenda and Michelle of GJams for providing food, drinks and the transportation for all the ladies.
-Heavenly Chocolates for their donation of edible mini chocolate purses. Too cute for words.
-And especially JaNae, volunteer coordinator at the shelter. Couldn't have done any of this without your positive attitude and upbeat personality. You are a great role model for these ladies.