Celebrating Identity with Empowerment Portraits
Recently, I had the privilege of photographing one of my dearest friends. After seeing her portraits, she sent me the most amazing message about what the experience meant to her. She worte:
“As a mom, moments for myself are rare, and being in front of a camera is even rarer. This experience made me feel like I was reclaiming a part of myself - made me feel seen, valued, and worthy beyond the role of a mother. The resulting portraits are a reminder of who I am, honoring my roots as well as the person I’ve become. This was a transformative experience for me, and I recommend it to anyone - especially one who feels like their true self has been lost or ignored in recent years.”
This meant so much to me because this is exactly why I do the work that I do. The words Seen, valued, and worthy perfectly describe how I hope people feel when we create their portriats.
Seen
Each piece serves as a visual narrative of the individual's unique experiences and journey. The process always starts with the interview. Even if with Devon who I have known since before I knew myself. I couldn’t have designed Devon’s portrait for her any more than I could design anyone else for them. In every narrative portrait, the client guides the story, and I simply act as a facilitator, bringing it to life and translating it into visual form. This involves customizing elements such as wardrobe, location, props, and lighting to authentically capture their essence.
Valued
They say seeing is believing. Often, we struggle with embracing our own worth. These portraits transcend mere images; they become a tangible reminder to the client of their intrinsic value. Investing time, money, energy, and trust in this process is an act of self-valuation, resulting in a final product that serves as visual validation.
Worthy
By showcasing individuals in a way that celebrates their authenticity and inner strength, we create a physical representation of self that they can look to as a proud reminder of their worth. Regardless of age or background, anyone can participate in an empowerment portrait session. It's time to embrace the beauty and strength that lies within each of us.
These portraits are a powerful tool for self-expression, empowerment, and celebration of individuality. They capture the essence of each person's journey and celebrate their potential. What would your portrait tell you about you?
