The Tiara Project {Extended}

Before I ever picked up a camera, I was a storyteller. I love when I can take pictures that say more than “CHEESE!” If you can see beyond and into the picture to the story it holds, I am thrilled. And sometimes I just want to tell a story through a series of pictures, which is what this post is about.

The Tiara Project is a personal project of mine to raise awareness about abuse and to help women of all ages reclaim their beautiful selves after painful pasts. That is the story I was aiming to tell in these photos. (The original, shorter version is already featured at TheTiaraProject.com.) I hope it moves you, that you see the emotion and story that weaves in and out of the beauty that is captured here, and that however you interpret the story, you do take the time to see beyond. Reclamation of self is a personal journey of mine, and the model here (my always beautiful and amazing daughter) is representative of me. It is my hope that it can be representative of many more women in the days to come…

“The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings.” -Ralph Blum

Why does this story not start with the Once Upon a Time…? Because your story doesn’t end when you reclaim your beautiful self. No, that’s where it really begins. What’s YOUR story? Join me at TheTiaraProject.com. (Site features sensitive material.)

Behind the Scenes

First, quite unexpectedly, our beautiful Rachel showed up and ended up being our props lady for the first couple of shots, and then our makeup department after. I love surprises!

You never did meet a better holder of extra stars!

And Rachel is amazing with makeup. I … am not.

Our creative outing was made complete with the always awesome and beautiful Heidi working at my side. Big thanks to her mom, too, for letting us work on her property. We had a blast, what with the sun setting way too fast and the cows mooing their displeasure at our being there.

Ah, I love knowing (and being related to) amazing people!