This blog is part of a series assisting seniors in selecting a photographer for their Senior Portraits by explaining the author’s editing techniques and commitment to creating fine art photography that reflects true likenesses. It emphasizes hand editing over filters for natural results.

The LPJ Photography Project Beauty 2022 features girls and their mothers challenging societal beauty standards. Dispensing with makeup and retouching, the participants’ black-and-white portraits and personal reflections underscore inherent beauty and the perils of comparison to social media’s unrealistic portraits. Emphasizing inner beauty, kindness, and acceptance, the project promotes self-worth and challenges the definition of beauty beyond physical traits.

This piece reflects on the hardships faced by the most deserving yet overburdened individuals, emphasizing that these trials teach reliance on God. Despite immense storms — like Heidi May’s cancer battle — faith enables perseverance and points to Jesus. Triumph is rooted in God’s eternal perspective, illustrating that through adversity, victory is revealed as already won.

Project Beauty 2021, despite COVID-19’s disruptions, captured the essence of its senior participants, pushing past traditional beauty standards. These teens were photographed without makeup, urged to share personal beauty insights, redefining beauty as confidence, character, and inner light, rather than perfection.

Lymarie, from small NC town Roanoke Rapids, defied expectations by creating a successful photography business focused on high school seniors and their families, offering a luxury experience sustained by her extensive professional training and investment in equipment and education. She expresses gratitude to her clients like the featured Senior, Taylor.

Sadler, Brunswick Academy’s valedictorian and multi-sport athlete, faced an untraditional senior year due to COVID-19, missing out on usual rites of passage. Despite challenges, her story embodies a historic moment, teaching appreciation for life’s fleeting “good old days.” She aspires to study biology and medicine.

In the past six months, the author embraced her daughter Cailyn’s senior year, foregoing blogging to treasure moments and photograph seniors. As Cailyn, the youngest and only daughter, nears high school graduation, the author reflects on their bond and anticipates Cailyn’s future with a mix of reluctance and hope, amidst the stress of inevitable change.