It's almost October again.
For me as a Mom that means a lot of things. My daughters birthday, Halloween costume shopping, pumpkin picking, planning Christmas activities and holiday card photo sessions. It's also normally one of the most busy months as a photographer as well.
October is also breast cancer awareness month....time to break out your pink in support of all of those who have been affected. Most of us have more than a handful of close family and friends and it's often times overwhelming to think about. So much so that many young women are starting to elect to have double mastectomy's based solely on their hereditary predisposition.
I myself have many female family members who are currently under treatment or are in remission. I'll never forget the day we brought my Nan home from her double mastectomy and she started trying to do laundry and chores. We, her very concerned family, quickly told her she shouldn't be doing that and her response was, "They didn't take my legs". Seriously could she be any more awesome. She amazes me to no end.
Something else my Nan told me helped to inspire me to do this project. She told me that she never let my Grandfather see her after the mastectomy, that she felt she looked like a man or at least less womanly. (I hope sharing that doesn't embarrass her....good thing she doesn't have internet...shhhhhhh) I have to admit I was shocked when she told me that. No woman should ever feel that way but we live in a very breast driven world don't we.
As a photographer I love photographing women. It is a unique opportunity to show them how we (the world) see them and not just how they look in a mirror. A mirror often times only catches you head on with a blank look on your face...this is NOT how the world sees you. We see emotion, smiles, the way you tilt your head when you listen, the way you drape your arms while you stand, the way your body speaks so much louder than your words. It is such a gift to be able to show women a world beyond the mirror.
So I started to think what could I do to give back or donate for breast cancer awareness month. I have done the Avon Walk, I have bought oodles of PINK products, I've dyed my hair, and while all of that is great, I never felt like I gave myself to the cause. So I thought what do I have to offer and then it hit me.
I LOVE photographing women. They are the most rewarding sessions. To be able to showcase every woman's beauty beyond her own ideas of how she looks. To give the gift of portraiture to the people who are often times the ones who avoid the camera because they don't like their outfit, their hair, themselves.
So here is what I have decided to do. I am starting Project Pretty in Pink....Beauty Sessions for some very deserving beauties.
I am looking for women who have been personally affected by breast cancer. They can be self nominated or nominated by family or friends. They will receive a full session with a disc of all of their images and a print release at no charge. I will only be able to take a handful of nominees so to be fair if I receive more nominees than I can take on I will be using an app that will randomly pick the recipients of the sessions. The names will be entered in and the app will choose the nominees and they will then be notified. The sessions are to take place in October so please only nominate someone who will be available during that time.
Families are encouraged to participate in the session if the nominee requests but the focus will be on the nominee and her beautiful self.
To nominate yourself or a loved one:
Email me at amanda@amandadayphotography.com with the subject Pretty in Pink Nominee. Tell me who the nominee is and who she is to you (friend, Mother, Sister, etc) You can share their stories if you choose but it is not a requirement.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this. If you don't know anyone to nominate please share this with your family and friends in case they know someone who might be interested.
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