Earlier this year I came across a photography project someone else had shared that was images of women along with handwritten sign of the mean things other people had said about their bodies. I loved the idea behind this project and the effort to help improve women’s self-love for themselves. However, I wanted mine to be just a little bit different. I offered the opportunity for women to come and be photographed. I encouraged them to bring along props if there were certain activities that made them feel beautiful, or to come with just themselves. Then I asked each person what made them feel beautiful or how they would define beauty.

That word has such a different meaning to everyone, and I wanted to show that somehow. Taking photos of people, especially just simply with out any posing, is one of my favorite things to do. I see so much beauty in each person I photograph. Often times we look at photos of ourselves and instantly look for the things we don’t like, instead of just seeing our whole selves as the beautiful people we are. When I photograph people, I want them to feel their most beautiful. In some way, I want that photograph to not only show how beautiful they are on the outside but to somehow show how beautiful they are on the inside. It is my goal when photographing people that they have fun and feel confident in the amazing person they are.

Finding the correct words to say has never been a strong point of mine, so I am very excited to share these images of some very beautiful women along with their thoughts on Beauty and what makes them beautiful.

Brittany:

“Dancing and really fabulous wild hair makes me feel beautiful!

And would define beauty as an outward expression of self love. Beauty is found in confidence and authenticity. It is based around the soul and manifested in smiles, curvy poses, and joy!”

Kaitlin:

“I feel that today the word beauty is often synonymous with superficial outlook of a person. It is not used as deeply as it could be to describe someone, and because of this women don’t see how truly beautiful they are because they focus too much on this high expectation society has set forth for the definition of “beauty”. Beauty truly is much more then skin deep, and I wish women would live out this everyday. It is not about how you look but about how you take care of yourself and how you feel towards yourself and toward the world around you. When you feel happy and healthy on the inside it will allow your beautiful personality to shine through for everyone to see. And having the ability to show kindness to others everyday makes you the most beautiful person in the world.

Exercise and sport has always been an outlet for me in my life. In with the good and out with the bad is the mantra. I have always done sports or participated in exercises that society wouldn’t define as “womanly”. I have been called “manly” and have had other jokes poked fun at me because of my choice in exercise and because of my muscles. I could have quit but instead I embrace it. I feel beautiful being healthy and strong. I know I look terrible and exhausted during it, but when I’m running down the road at mile 20 of a marathon or landing a heavy lift at CrossFit I feel like a model on a runway. I am strong, empowered, and confident in myself and no one can take it away from me. The best part of it is I love being around other woman who share that kind of mentality. We encourage each other and other woman who want to try. There is no judgment ever and to me that is beautiful.”

Kate:
“She is clothed in strength and dignity” I pray my outward beauty is a reflection of the inner strength of God within me and the courage to bring dignity to life. Life is hard and it’s far easier to become embittered by it, I choose to hold my head high, be transparent, love boldly and embrace Joy. That’s my beauty, Christ in me.

Ashley:

I’ve always thought the quest to be beautiful in society’s eyes seemed a bit exhausting. I watched my sister and friends fret constantly over looking perfect and the whole process seemed overwhelming to me. While I have my hang-ups like every woman, I mostly shirked traditional standards of beauty. Instead, I used my own unique charisma to create an eccentric persona that allows me to inhabit just about any style I fancy. Over the years I have realized that I feel the most beautiful when I am being unapologetically myself. I think in large part that attitude came from my time spent in the literary worlds of women like Hermione Granger, Miranda Hart, Matilda, Elphaba and Anne Shirley. They taught me that a women could be many things beautiful, intellectual, Eloquent, silly and compassionate.

Margaret:

“For me, beauty is a light that shines from within and can even, at times, lift the spirit of those around it. Confidence makes me feel beautiful. I love to laugh and I am a generally happy person and that also makes me feel beautiful.”

Dawn:

“I feel beautiful when I’m with my posse which includes baby girl mary, my mom and my sister.”

Beth:

“Dutch Dancing is something that makes me feel beautiful. It is so fun to volunteer to Dutch Dance in the parades at Tulip time and watching peoples faces as we dance.

I always see beauty in the little things in life-the things that others don’t always notice or take for granted. I see beauty in the way that people are kind to each other when they think no one else is watching. The way that people help each other out knowing they won’t get anything in return. Seeing the good in others is always beautiful.”

Jessie:

“My hubby makes me feel beautiful. Being in my kitchen. Helping women feel beautiful themselves. Sharing my story About overcoming an eating disorder. A new outfit and good makeup makes me feel confident.”

Kim:

“I feel beautiful while playing the piano. Also while listening to music and jamming to it”

Rebekah:

“I feel beautiful when I do something that would only be expected from a man. That makes me feel confident. Also I feel beautiful when connecting with people, especially difficult people. Beauty is not being afraid to be yourself.

“Beauty is so much more than what we can just see. Beauty is taking the time to see beyond what we see at first glance.”

Tanya:

“My kids make me feel beautiful. being a wife makes me feel beautiful. Volunteering makes me feel beautiful!”

Shelly:

“I would say that my friends and family make me feel beautiful. I define beauty as kindness, passion, and love. It is how you make others feel good. Beauty is that inner compassion for those around you.”

Kris:

“To me true beauty is based on one’s principles; the knowledge and love you spread to others. While it’s easy to be pulled in and influenced by the media perception of beauty in what clothes we wear, the size of our thighs or how we style our hair, the truest beauty is found in one who can love fiercely, be vulnerable, show humility, be brave enough to be honest and afford grace to others. Don’t get me wrong I do love all the accoutrement’s of being a woman, the manicures, shoe collections, clothes, makeup, etc. – I mean, I am a girl after all. What I find makes me feel most beautiful though are those moments when I connect with someone, when I can share advice, stories, tears, laughter, frustration – all those things life dishes out. The people who surround my life and let me be me are what make me feel most beautiful. ”

Shree:

“I guess I feel most beautiful when I’m happy, appreciate the little things in my life with gratitude and treat those around me with respect and kindness. Life has taught me that beauty is far beyond countenance and transcends into daily life through actions, words and little tokens of gratitude. I find myself most happy when I take care of myself… that includes eating well, hitting the gym etc I also definitely feel beautiful when I know that I’m loved unconditionally by my handful of true friends. I am sponsoring a little girl through World Vision and I know she needs me. That makes me feel alive and beautiful especially when she sends me letters. I’m basically on cloud 9 when I read them. I can not wait to meet her one day!!!! I don’t give up so easily.. I am not afraid to take do something bold even if it’s risky and I love challenges. although I’ve struggled in the past and viewed myself through the eyes of others, such things no longer define. Knowing Christ’s unconditional love has shaped and molded my heart and that is definitely the one thing that makes me beautiful everyday… even on days I feel like I won’t match up to the world. There are also things about me that only one person knows. ME! I’m in the phase of my life where I’m learning to be my own friend and I think those moments of self-realization strengthens me more than I could ever express. ”

Katie & Alyssa:

Katie – “When I laugh, I feel beautiful. I feel like a kid, and full of joy. Alyssa makes me laugh a lot (we’re roommates, so we get each other laughing most every day!) I’ve never fit society’s standard of beautiful, and it took me a long time to come to the point of being happy and content with who I am. I remind myself every day that that I am beyond blessed to have people who love me for me (and not for the way I look). I truly believe that it’s the love and laughter I share with others that makes me beautiful from the inside out.”

Chelsi:

“Beauty is not the way you look but the way you feel! Being a mother has made me feel more beautiful than any makeup, etc ever could. Knowing we created something so incredible is the most beautiful feeling in the world!”

Heather:

“For me beauty has to do with the power we have inside. In the last couple of years I started power lifting and I ran a marathon. I never feel more beautiful then when I push myself to run that last mile.”