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.

Blond curls and white tutus

Remember these little beauties from last week? Here's more from that session.

I played with a few of the images to create different blends and textures. Yes I've practically sold my soul to this new love.

As for the very last photo in the cracked BW texture, I stared and stared at it after i was done processing it. It just moved me.
Then it hit me: This reminded me exactly of my childhood with MY sister...when skies seemed like they were always blue and there were no worries in the world.










































my favorite

Indian girl....headshots

...well kind of.

My cultural and traditional photos have a sexy flare to them. So I thought I was all prepared when this pretty girl came over, and me assuming that I was going to do something in the same fashion.
BRAKES...Stop. Noooooo Ruby.
"I want traditional headshots in your studio, not your bedroom."
HAHAHHA. Puey. Okay fine, I thought.

So, meet this pretty girl, Guldeep, all in a class her own. She's real. She's beautiful. I mean that in every sense of the word.

Her headshots turned out great, I think she will love them.

I have many more to go thru and am so behind in all my proofing, but wanted to give her and her mom a sneak peak as soon as I could.

Traditional engagement session-Korean style

Meet the lovely Amber and John who are having me photograph their wedding in late August. She is part Korean and wanted to have her engagement session done part in traditional wear and the other part in casual wear. This is part 1 of 2 of their engagement session. Before I met her in person, she told me over the phone that she wanted to do photos in traditional Korean outfits, I thought to myself, I HAVE to do this. If you know me, you know I LOVE this kind of stuff!

In my opinion, as a photographer, when I photograph the love between two people, they are either really in love, or just posing 'admiration' for the camera. I've seen both. Some might know what I'm talking about.
John and Amber are very much in love. They adore each other and you can see it in their eyes.

Oh and we can't forget about that attention grabber cute dog of theirs, Charlie. He had women ooohing and awwwing about his cuteness while Amber's brother (single i might add) took care of him during the shoot. John suggested to Amber's brother that he keep Charlie nearby during the wedding and he was guaranteed at least 4 women hanging out at his side during the night. LOL!

HotsieTotsie Heidi

I had the pleasure of meeting the gorgeous and sweet Heidi yesterday to shoot some images for her modeling portfolio. This beauty is a mother of 3 little kids....I can only imagine what her sweet babies are like.

We went to a nearby resort and then across the street to a beautiful church to photograph her by their doors.

I was never really big on textures and blends...but after wppi, I am now infatuated with them.

Thank you Heidi, it was a blast!


























This was right outside the church doors. We had to be careful and quick. Can you imagine the priest walking out innocently and stumbling upon HER? I could just imagine a loud "lord have mercy!" and running back inside.

Cuties in tutu's- Your favorite?

I just photographed these little angels this morning. So excited that I am proofing thru some before my next appointment ;)

The little girls' mom is my friend Erin. Erin and her hubby, Tari, make really beautiful children. They are a fabulous couple.
When I see these little girls, I get an impulse to want to bite them. Is that bad? I LOVE them!

This is the thing: I'm sharing a booth next month at a children's expo and I need some big wall portraits for samples. Most of my samples are of women now. So....of the first 3, which one is your favorite?

The last one was for fun, big sis blowing kisses to little sis. I love little sis's reaction.

I will post some from this session by the weekend.

Blue eyed baby

I was contacted by Hans and Iva thru the Celebrating Adoption website. Baby AJ is almost a year old and has a set of beautiful blue eyes that will captivate you! He is such a sweet soul!

I encourage all you photographers reading this post to look into the CA website and donate a session to these amazing parents who are making a gigantic difference in a child's life. I feel honored to photograph these families and document one hour of their baby's life.

We photographed at a colorful outdoor shopping center. I kept telling them "okay last one" and I just lied. Picture opportunities with this baby! His eyes were not enhanced in photoshop....they really are that bright and blue.

And how sweet is this: After we were done, Hans says "If you don't have any plans, we're going to eat here and would love to take you to dinner."
Now people, how nice is that? Even the thought.
If I didn't have dinner plans, I would have happily obliged. :)
Hans and Iva, pleasure to meet you and your gorgeous AJ (& your parents too!)

Note to readers: If anyone feels the urge to take me to dinner, please email me.