( All pictures courtesy of Pinterest)
Late last year I was talking with a friend, discussing photography & my upcoming sessions. I wanted to bring something new to VRP--give back in some way. I wanted to do a type of "makeover" session, not quite a "Glamour Shots" type photo, just a session to make someone feel better about themselves--show them they are {Beautiful} just the way they are.My friend told me about her cousin, a young teen dealing with issues of bullying & low self esteem. She told me how beautiful she was & that her mom could not afford to have pictures done, but she thought she would love to do a session with me.
So the idea was born, plans & ideas began reeling through my mind. What about other girls (or guys)--this issue of bullying has become a major epidemic in society.
Bullying has been around...well, for as long as I can remember. I myself, along with most of you can probably agree that we have each been bullied at one point & time in our lives. It may have been a simple word "four-eyes" or "fatty" or "string bean" or "pizza face" ( believe me the words are a lot harsher these days...trying to keep it on a more PG level here). Maybe you were pushed down, threatened, or teased. I personally felt the effects growing up, as I was an over weight child & wasn't considered "pretty" by society's standards. I dealt with teasing, name calling, dreading certain activities or experiences throughout my school years, not because I felt I couldn't do them--but for the fear of being laughed at, made fun of or judged because of how I looked. Once I reached High School, I realized that "society" did not rule my life--I was the one in control of my life. No, my life did not instantly become perfect because of this revelation--but it now gave me the choice to decide how much "power" I gave to society--or how much {empowerment} I gave to myself. I made choices that made me happy, I chose to be the person who didn't judge, I chose to be a good friend, I chose to be giving & caring, I chose to be {Beautiful} & that was just by being me!
Do I still sometimes struggle--Yes. Our world, our society has not gotten any easier. I see daily, through television, social media, advertising--the "standards" they feel people should meet, the pressure they put on people to be someone other then themselves. Why do we let others determine where " we fit in"?
So now as I parent, I have witnessed an alarming growth in bullying. I have seen the extremes that it has now gone too. Children being beaten, sometimes to death for how they look, dress, act or what they believe in. I have seen children ridiculed to the point of taking their own lives, then rather living their life to the fullest. I have seen children having to be pulled from our schools, moved to a new town--just to try & get away from the bullying.
It hit home for me the most when my youngest daughter was starting 3rd grade. My daughter, by society "standards" inherited my body type--so being like her momma, she was the biggest one in class. She was quiet & shy--not wanting to stand out. The day of her 3rd grade open house, we went to the school that evening to see her classroom, meet her friends & of course meet her new teacher for the year.
As my daughter wandered around the classroom, exploring all the new things, I sat down with the teacher to introduce myself & my daughter. This is the moment I will remember for the rest of my life.
I introduced myself & my daughter to her teacher (as my daughter walked around exploring). Her teacher greeted me & told me she was looking forward to the upcoming year with her students. She also said to me " I feel like your daughter is going to have a difficult year this year, as she is a "bigger" girl & that will be socially detrimental for her." I couldn't believe what I had just heard--did her teacher, the one person I am entrusting my child's life to on a daily basis, to teach my daughter not only math, reading, & writing--but the person who is supposed to teach her "kids" wrong from right--tell me, actually predict to me that my child is going to have a "tough" year based solely on her "looks". I could feel the anger & tears welling up inside me. I held back & was so completely thankful that my daughter was on the other side of the classroom, unable to hear what her teacher had said.
I left there that evening with a heavy heart. At first I blamed myself, maybe I could have been a better mom--I could have made better choices (food, activities, etc...)and she wouldn't have turned out like me. Then I stopped!! There was nothing wrong with me--I took care of my children, they were fed good food, we did things together, they have friends & family that love them, they are caring, loving, wonderful people--they are perfect just they way they are & I helped raise them that way. I was a GREAT MOM!!
It was society trying to creep in & make not only my children--but myself feel inadequate.
WHY, why is this happening?!!
Why are we determined to find "faults" in others, rather then look for the {Beauty} that lies within each one of us.
We are each {Beautiful} in our own way & it may not fit how society views us--but we are the only ones that can truly give them the "power" to choose how we should be.
So the {Be-YOU-tiful} Campaign was born--a personal project for me.
I am here to empower young people, or any person for that matter, that society, magazines, television, advertising, social media--and most of all BULLIES DO NOT dictate who you are!! This is an opportunity for me to give back to others through empowerment, that smile, that confidence, that boost of self esteem--the {BEAUTY} that truly is THEM!!
If I can help any person, feel better about themselves--then that is the best gift I can receive!
As my daughter wandered around the classroom, exploring all the new things, I sat down with the teacher to introduce myself & my daughter. This is the moment I will remember for the rest of my life.
I introduced myself & my daughter to her teacher (as my daughter walked around exploring). Her teacher greeted me & told me she was looking forward to the upcoming year with her students. She also said to me " I feel like your daughter is going to have a difficult year this year, as she is a "bigger" girl & that will be socially detrimental for her." I couldn't believe what I had just heard--did her teacher, the one person I am entrusting my child's life to on a daily basis, to teach my daughter not only math, reading, & writing--but the person who is supposed to teach her "kids" wrong from right--tell me, actually predict to me that my child is going to have a "tough" year based solely on her "looks". I could feel the anger & tears welling up inside me. I held back & was so completely thankful that my daughter was on the other side of the classroom, unable to hear what her teacher had said.
I left there that evening with a heavy heart. At first I blamed myself, maybe I could have been a better mom--I could have made better choices (food, activities, etc...)and she wouldn't have turned out like me. Then I stopped!! There was nothing wrong with me--I took care of my children, they were fed good food, we did things together, they have friends & family that love them, they are caring, loving, wonderful people--they are perfect just they way they are & I helped raise them that way. I was a GREAT MOM!!
It was society trying to creep in & make not only my children--but myself feel inadequate.
WHY, why is this happening?!!
Why are we determined to find "faults" in others, rather then look for the {Beauty} that lies within each one of us.
We are each {Beautiful} in our own way & it may not fit how society views us--but we are the only ones that can truly give them the "power" to choose how we should be.
So the {Be-YOU-tiful} Campaign was born--a personal project for me.
I am here to empower young people, or any person for that matter, that society, magazines, television, advertising, social media--and most of all BULLIES DO NOT dictate who you are!! This is an opportunity for me to give back to others through empowerment, that smile, that confidence, that boost of self esteem--the {BEAUTY} that truly is THEM!!
If I can help any person, feel better about themselves--then that is the best gift I can receive!
So once a month, I will be posting a blog & pictures from one of my {Be-YOU-tiful} Campaign photo sessions. I would love for you to come back & see the {Beauty} that each of these sessions holds!
If you or someone you know has had to deal with issues of bullying or currently is. And would like them to know how truly {Beautiful} they are--nominate them for a Free photo session & makeover from me. Email me at valerierussellphotography@yahoo.com. I offer my {Be-YOU-tiful} Campaign sessions once a month (open to West Michigan residents or anyone wanting to travel to see me).
