The great thing is that regardless of the settings or occasions, what I love most about my job never changes: when my subjects see their images, they feel FAMOUS, BIGGER than LIFE… and doesn’t everyone deserve to feel that once in a while?
the Lens
Behind
the Lady
Defining Beauty
In 2018, I introduced my teens to Project Beauty. It is a movement with one simple message:
You are beautifully and wonderfully made.
I feel strongly that our worth and beauty isn’t contingent on perfection; our journey, and even our “flaws” make us unique, strong, beautiful.
But that is a message that gets lost in our every day lives, doesn’t it? The media and our society feed us a standard of beauty that IS based on perfection.
And that is a lie.
Much thanks to Nick King, RRHS Class of 2020, who spent the entire day with us and produced the behind the scenes video, and to my amazing Team 2019… who I love so much more than they know!
I wondered though, as a photographer, do I feed into that lie a bit? I DO encourage my girls to pamper themselves by having their hair and make-up professionally done, and I retouch my images to remove “imperfections,” like pimples or dark under eye circles.
I mean the experience to be a fun departure from the stresses of every-day life. We play dress up, and I work hard to be sure that my girls look like themselves on their very best day.
My job is to capture their essence.
What I mean is, when we speak to a person, we engage with who they are, and won’t usually notice if their skin is broken out, or if their hair is out of place… so I DO fix those things in my images as well.
My goal is that my teens see themselves as I see them, as the ones who love them most see them.
It is my personal philosophy is that our worth and value comes from something much deeper than our outer shell.
When I came across “Project Beauty,” it was like seeing my mantra given life.
Raw, Real Beauty:
So for a second year, I asked my Senior Team to push themselves past what was comfortable, and allow me to photograph them with simple hair and zero make up. Only moisturizer and lip balm were allowed.
Maria, Halifax Academy: “True beauty to me is not a person’s looks. Beauty emanates from a woman who boldly and unabashedly knows who she is in Christ, but also a woman who is unapologetically herself. Someone’s heart is what is beautiful because what’s on the outside won’t last forever. You can always choose to be someone else, but you can’t escape who your soul really is. What’s beautiful is not running away from who you are, but embracing it.”
On my end, I would do no photo editing outside of transforming the images into black and white.
Then, in order to receive their photos, my teens agreed to two things:
1. Write a few sentences describing what true beauty means to them. I asked them to be raw, and real. I asked them, if they were willing, to share their insecurities, to share their struggles, and to convey a message of hope. I told them that if they have a struggle, chances are there are others that do as well, and when others hear their story, they may feel heard and understood.
2. Any time they share their photographs from this shoot, they will caption it, either with what they wrote for me, or with another quote that describes TRUE beauty.
My 2018 loves were bold, and poignant. If you missed their messages, you can see them here.
The voices from Team 2019 are just as powerful. Don’t take my word for it though. Hear my girls roar:
Sydney, Roanoke Rapids High School: “True beauty is not what a lot of people think. It is not about how pretty or skinny you are or how perfect your hair is or how great you look in a bathing suit. For me, it is so much more, but it has taken me a long time to figure that all out. I have never had much confidence in myself whether it was about cheer, dance, or my looks…never thought I was good enough. I was the overweight kid and hated to look back at those pictures. But what I have learned is that true beauty is all about what is on the inside, your heart, how you treat other people, and how you help others regardless of what they look like on the outside or what “click” they are in. When I am able to help others feel good, it makes me feel good. I want to be more confident and be courageous so that my true beauty will shine to all those around me.
Maggie, Faith Christian School: “The dictionary defines beauty as “a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.” Society has made “beauty” into an unattainable aspiration. They say that “beauty” is having perfect skin, long legs, flawless hair, a flat stomach, curves in all of the right places, and always being up to date with the newest fashion trends. I am definitely guilty of trying to live up to these impossible standards. I feel that I am not alone in these attempts, but that this is a common problem for women all around the world. We have grown up in a time where the “norm” is to compare ourselves to the “ideal women,” who are portrayed in all forms of media. Society may define beauty as outward appearance, but I say that’s not what beauty is at all. The Bible says in 1 Peter 3:3-4 that “your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self….” True beauty is the fruit of the spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.” True beauty, in my opinion, is the beauty of love, not the beauty of looks. Jesus Christ is a true picture of love, sacrifice, and ultimately, perfection. To reflect Christ is to be beautiful. Society has deteriorated women’s value and sense of self worth for too long. It is time for women to come together and crush the world’s image of perfection.”
Olivia, Roanoke Rapids High School: “True beauty is the natural perfection of our imperfections. As young women, many of us struggle with this truth because beauty has been falsely defined to us for so many years. Growing up we have been convinced that beauty is owning expensive material items, fitting in with the “popular” crowd, and waking up an hour earlier to wear a full-face of makeup. Although this may be what we have accepted as a society, it is far from the truth. Beauty is not about having a pretty face, but instead it is about having a pretty heart, pretty mind, and an even prettier soul. With that being known, I hope everyone finds the ability to discard their flawed definitions of true beauty and instead focus more on the betterment of themselves. And always remember, nothing makes a woman more beautiful than her own belief that she is beautiful.”
“True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.” ~ Audrey Hepburn
Emli, Roanoke Rapids High School: “True beauty is always having fun and being yourself without the worry of what others think. When doing things in your life that make you genuinely happy and make you smile your biggest smile will let your true beauty shine through while also letting others know that beauty isn’t just about looks but about your personality and how you impact others lives and makes them feel like they are worth something in this world. “
Lauren, Garner Magnet High School: “In middle school I transferred to a new school where it was everyone’s top priority to look their best everyday. In seventh grade, I got bullied by someone I thought was my best friend and her friend group. I was torn apart that year, from my appearance to my character. I would have daily reminders of how I wasn’t good enough, from letters stuffed into my locker, to being followed from class to class as I was forced to listen to someone else’s view of me and my flaws. It was during this time I learned that beauty did not come from the way you dressed or looked, but the way you held yourself and your character. True beauty cannot be found by looking in the mirror, but from one’s soul. The way one loves and cares for others. It comes from one’s heart, perseverance, and courage. True beauty comes from the inside, and it isn’t something someone can ever take away.”
Karley, Halifax Academy: “To me, true beauty is how a person acts when others aren’t looking. Almost every time I scroll through instagram, insecurities about my body reappear. I find myself looking at models and wondering why I don’t look like them. What I’ve realized though, is that many of these pictures are edited and staged to their liking. Everyone can edit pictures, have a fake smile, and cake on the makeup, but true beauty is having a caring heart and personality not to get credit. True beauty is how God sees us because He does not compare us to others or care about any of our worldly achievements. Instead, we are told that we are all unique and made in His image. In other words, true beauty is a person’s real self and not their outward appearance. It is our actions that show how beautiful we truly are.”
Kaylee, Roanoke Rapids High School: “True beauty is vastly more complex than the standards of beauty society has placed in our lives. From the very beginning tv, magazines, models, billboards, cartoons, and so much more have all been teaching women that society has rules and expectations, and in order to fit in to society, you have to meet these ridiculous, unrealistic, and unhealthy aspirations. But that’s just it, society may try to tell us that beauty is defined by our outward appearances, by our earthly possessions, by our wealth, or by our social status, but society is wrong on every level. A so called “beautiful person” is not always as beautiful on the inside, where true beauty shines. You see… when I picture true beauty I picture the one who sacrifices themself to make life beautiful for others, the one who gives of their own time, the one who shows heart and devotes love to those around them as much as themself. I see the person who does not focus on earthly fame, or riches, or perfection, but the person who focuses on love, kindness and appreciation of others and self.”
“There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself; comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty.” ~Steve Maraboli
Natalie, Halifax Academy: “To me, True Beauty, comes from within. You don’t have to be perfect on the outside as long as you have a good heart on the inside. Be confident in who you are as a person and you will find your beauty. I struggled with this for a long time, but I found myself. Comparing yourself to others will not lead to confidence, but you have to be happy from within.”
Alexis, Roanoke Rapids High School: “I haven’t always been confident about the way I look but being on Lymarie’s senior rep team has shown me that I am beautiful inside and out. I do not wear makeup daily and looking at others I used to think I had to have my makeup done to look beautiful, but knowing that God made us the exact way he wanted us to look we don’t need makeup to be beautiful. One of my favorite Bible verses about beauty is 1st Peter 3:4… True Beauty starts in the inside. True beauty does not come from the type of clothing you wear, makeup you wear or the type of car you drive. True beauty is being yourself and knowing that you are beautiful. This is what true beauty is to me!”
“True beauty radiates not from outer cosmetics, but from the simple joy of making a difference for those that need your voice, passion, and time without expecting or wanting anything in return…”
~ Deborah Barnes
Megan, Halifax Academy: “True beauty is when you accept yourself and not worry about what others may think about you. Beauty is holding your head high and showing other people that you are proud of who you are and where you came from. As long as you think you are beautiful, that is all that matters. Beauty is who you naturally are without makeup or hair done. It is when you aren’t ashamed of anyway you may look. Beauty is being strong.”
Karri, Roanoke Rapids High School: “To me this project wasn’t only for us girls, this was for our community, even the world. Lymarie makes all of us feel so beautiful during our shoots and has made this year so special to me and everyone else on the team, but this shoot was more then that. It’s about showing the true beauty in all of us: the freckles we hate, the dark circles we wish to correct, and the bumps and all the acne we all experience. This was one of the greatest experiences in my life and showed me that my true beauty is within me. True beauty is the happiness and joy I feel day in and out given to me by the wonderful grace of God. God made no mistake with every detailed feature we have, even if we don’t like it. I truly never felt more beautiful and more graceful then on this day taking our pictures, laughing nonstop, and when Lymarie showed me my pictures without make up, without filters, I never felt more naturally beautiful. It was an eye opening experience because now most days I don’t bother to wear makeup and I even feel comfortable without it. I encourage everyone to take a minute and see the true and natural beauty god intended for all of us to see within ourselves.”
“If you look after goodness and truth, beauty will take care of itself.” ~Eric Gill
“No matter the physical characteristics of any person, true beauty shines when actions show compassion, love, and spirit. Within the heart true beauty is found.” ~Unknown
Lily, Roanoke Rapids High School: “True beauty is all about what’s on the inside. It isn’t who has the best clothes or the best makeup. True beauty is being warm and kind to others and always being your best self.”
“There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others.”
~ Mandy HaleKendall, Roanoke Rapids High School: “To me true beauty is not about how others view you or what others have to say about your appearance. True beauty is a feeling of self acceptance in yourself and who you are. We can not change who we are no matter how hard we try. There is not enough makeup in the world to hide your insecurities or who you really are and because of this it is important for us to accept the fact that we are all beautiful in our own ways. For me personally, finding true beauty in myself was realizing that I am never going to look like other girls, that my size and shape is much different. I now love what makes me different and even though sometimes it is a struggle, I know that I am beautiful because I am different, not in spite of it.”
“True beauty is measured by the number of pearls within you, not those around your neck.” ~ Suzy Kassem
“The next time you stand in front of a mirror and want to scream, try to remember that God made that face. That smile. Those big eyes…and chubby cheeks. You are His creation, called to reflect Him. Spiritual transformation doesn’t come from a diet program, a bottle, a makeover, or mask. It comes from an intimate relationship with the Savior. He…appreciates us for who we really are. So we can too.”
~ Luci Swindoll
“Outer beauty pleases the EYE. Inner beauty captivates the HEART.” ~ Mandy Hale
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