I’m excited to share images from my latest I BELIEVE Project recipient, Mary, but because I’m waiting to complete my interview with her regarding her struggles and triumphs with her depression, I thought it would be great to take a look back at my past recipients.
But first, a sneak peek from Mary’s session. The tattoo on Mary’s arm symbolizes her unborn child she never had a chance to hold in her arms.
In case you are curious, the I BELIEVE Project is my way of giving back to the women in my community by offering a complimentary boudoir or contemporary glamour portrait session to a deserving woman who is dealing/has dealt with some sort of adversity for the chance to feel beautiful and feminine. My gift includes hair/makeup thanks to my lead stylist Nath Kreider (in PA) and stylist Rachael Lubach (when in WI), dress rental, and an album.
The Project got the name of “I BELIEVE” because I believe all women should feel beautiful, and I’ve witnessed first hand what a confidence builder and transformation a boudoir or a contemporary glamour portrait session is for women. The goal of the I BELIEVE Project is to help women see themselves as beautiful, inspiring, and powerful.
And that’s exactly what I got to do in 2014, when I did my first Project session with Holly, who was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer at the age of 34. You can read the full story HERE.
In 2015, I photographed Diana, a two-time breast cancer survivor. You can read the full story HERE.
As well as I photographed Victoria, who was just 27 years old when she found out she had Stage 3 breast cancer. You can read the full story HERE.
In 2016 I had the honor to photograph Rylie, who was born physically male but has always identified herself as female. Read her story HERE.
And this brings me up to 2017, where in addition to shooting Mary’s session in July, I shot a session in February with Tessa, a 29-year-old woman currently receiving treatment for ovarian cancer. Tessa’s session can be read HERE.
I’ll be honest—I think I leave these sessions even more grateful for the experience then these women do, because they each have had such a profound appreciation of life, such a positive outlook, that it just fills the entire team with joy to be around them. None have had a “pity me” attitude—while the goal of the Project is to inspire them, I think they inspired me just as much.
I’m really excited to share Mary’s images/story with you. I don’t think Mary has stopped smiling since she saw her images last weekend.
Until next time,
Shannon
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