Girls Are Powerful
August 8, 2016
Without fail there is one part of every photo shoot that I hate. It is a woman’s amazing ability to pick herself and her life apart. I have yet to have a shoot where these little digs at oneself have not occurred. The house should be cleaner, the dishes are out, that plant I should have watered, or even worse. I am so fat, I should have worked out more, maybe just maybe get the kids I don’t need to be in too many pictures. The level at which we can diminish our lives, our accomplishments, and ourselves truly amazes and disturbs me.
All of the social media platforms provide such a wonderful space for everyone to be creative, share and document. I do, however, worry that my kids are going to look at the best of images and think this is what their lives should look like at all times. That this is normal. How could they not when I do it myself? I have some fantastic bloggers that I love to follow, but I catch myself in the comparison game. Well her house looks perfectly in order, her kids match, she is in fantastic shape and is doing it all. Well, maybe in that image it is all put together, but we are all just doing the best we can. Life is not always picture perfect.
A few months ago I was toying with the idea of taking pictures of women that were more real. I am surrounded by so many amazing women in my community, but I want my daughter to see them as they are. Not perfect, not photoshopped, but simply their beauty in its' own right. I am not saying that I am forgoing getting dressed up, or makeup, or editing forever, but sometimes can’t we just be as we are?
I was playing with the idea, but really wanted to partner with an organization that supports girls and women in some way. I was introduced to Girls Are Powerful and was blown away by the message and work that they do. “Our program goal is to encourage and inspire girls and young women to love their whole self with confidence.” Girls are : Powerful, Beautiful, Unique, Smart, Confident, and Determined.
So what happens if we simply wash are face and take a picture? What if I get the camera just a little too close? Or capture you at the end of a long day? What do you see? What if instead of criticizing and picking apart we could simply be. Accept that we are powerful, beautiful, unique, smart, confident, and determined? Because if I can’t do this for myself then how can I ever expect my daughter to be any different?
We will be hosting an event on September 17th at Blooma in St. Paul. I would love for you to join us and bring your daughter, friend, or any powerful women in your life. We are going to be doing mini portrait sessions, community art, snack, prizes and blast some inspiring music.
If you can't make it we would still love your help!
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Donate a prize, food or beverages for us to snack on, or make a donation to Girls Are Powerful