Project Beauty is near and dear to my heart, and I am so grateful to the AHP model team for trusting me and being a part of this experience.
What is Project Beauty?
Thomas Nguyen created Project Beauty in order to redefine true beauty, especially for teens and young women. Social media is so prevalent for teens today and it can warp their sense of beauty. So many influencers and celebrities edit their photos beyond recognition, making it harder and harder for teens to understand their own natural beauty. Society often defines beauty as something superficial and unattainable. There is heavy makeup, contouring, and editing that goes into every ad campaign, social media post, and magazine spread. So how are teens to know the difference? It’s no wonder teens are struggling with self-confidence.
Nguyen had a specific mission in mind when he created Project Beauty. He wanted teens to know they could be accepted even if they did not look the same as what social media deems beautiful. He wanted these girls to know that they can fit in, feel confident, and be empowered without makeup and editing.
In Thomas Nguyen’s own words: “FREE YOURSELF. Project Beauty was started with my Senior Model Crew to emphasize their natural beauty. Over the last 4 weeks, over fifty girls took part in this campaign, all with their own personal stories to share. My aim has been to portray these wonderful girls in an entirely unique way and get as close as possible to them — to capture their unseen confidence. What has started as a small project has slowly grown to a movement.”
The wording behind the movement’s mission was also inspired by Sean Brown Productions. It has been truly incredible seeing so many senior photographers band together to ensure the seniors they work with are empowered and inspired through this project. I couldn’t wait to make this a reality for my AHP model team members.
The AHP Model Team & Project Beauty
I explained the concept behind Project Beauty to the AHP model team, and they were on board! The girls have been on the team for a year now, and their confidence and trust in me and in each other has only grown. I love seeing the girls get together monthly for our themed shoots, but this one felt really special.
I love that this project reached beyond the team itself. The girls brought some of their closest friends that aren’t on the AHP model team. Everyone was so encouraging and supportive. It was really helpful for the girls to talk about what true beauty means to them and participate in this photoshoot together.
The Project Beauty Rules
The girls were all told to wear no makeup and nothing on their faces. They could use lotion and chapstick, but otherwise, their faces were bare. For the Project Beauty wardrobe, the girls could wear blue jeans and white or black shirts. Even with these strict requirements, the girls each chose outfits that showcased their personalities and had them feeling their best. From plain white t-shirts to lace corset-style tops, everyone chose an outfit that captured their personal style.
We encouraged the girls to skip nail polish altogether or keep their nails painted nude, clear, or white. Their hair could be styled however they wanted. Some of the girls opted for braids or messy buns, while others wore their hair down.
The girls knew I would not be doing any retouching or editing of their photos, allowing their natural beauty and confidence to shine through. They looked absolutely gorgeous.
In the Studio
We had a rare sunny day in March for our Project Beauty session. It felt like it was meant to be. And the minimalist style of my studio was perfect for this photo shoot. We took portraits in the natural light, with black and white backgrounds. The girls were barefoot and posed on studio chairs and the floor. We took individual portraits and group shots, which allowed the girls to interact with each other and offer words of encouragement throughout the session.
I am so incredibly grateful to have such an amazing team of young women! These girls are all about empowerment, confidence, and natural beauty. They love getting glammed up like any teenage girl would, but there were also comfortable in front of the camera without any makeup.
The Girls’ Reactions
One of the most amazing parts of this experience was seeing the girls react to unedited photos of themselves. It showed them that they are so beautiful in their own skin, without the Instagram filters or heavy makeup. This project is helping girls redefine beauty. It also helps them resist the urge to get caught up in what society and social media tell us is “beautiful”.
I’m a firm believer that beauty comes from within. The way that the AHP model team girls supported each other and their friends throughout this photoshoot shows how beautiful each one of them is. They are kind, generous, and thoughtful. And I am so glad that comes across on camera. I hope this is an experience that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Scroll through for more #projectbeauty inspiration and more from the model team girls on what this experience meant to them.
“I love the message of Project Beauty, It is so important that we are reminded of our own natural beauty. We are all beautiful with no makeup or however we choose to express ourselves.️” – Jenna
“As someone who usually always wears a full face of makeup, project beauty felt like a whole different side of me. It was really fun to be around people who accepted me for my natural beauty and encouraged me to show this side of me more often.” – Sophia
“Project Beauty reminded me of the Roald Dahl quote: ‘If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.'” – Andrea
“As Audrey Hepburn said, ‘The true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.'” – Abby
“The shoot brought out a confidence I didn’t know I had. I feel so good in my own skin again!” – Elena
“I loved our Project Beauty shoot, It reminds young girls that everyone is naturally beautiful and unique. Doing this shoot breaks the stigma of what people expect you to look like and post. It reminds us of the natural beauty everyone possesses and should share more often.” – Kami
“Project Beauty was my first photoshoot in the studio, and I was a little nervous, especially not wearing makeup. Once I got there and saw everybody also bare-faced, I felt much more comfortable. It felt nice when the girls and Amanda complimented me, even without makeup on. I really loved this shoot and it helped me be more comfortable and confident in my own skin!” – Lizzie
“Natural beauty is the best beauty and getting the opportunity to show that through Project Beauty was amazing. Usually, we see each other with our best hair and makeup, but getting together and being all-natural is a beautiful part of being a woman.” – Rachel
“These photos with no makeup and my natural hair have me feeling more empowered, that the fact is I do not need to straighten out my hair or cover up my imperfections to be feelin’ pretty.” – Morgan
“I thought the story behind Project Beauty was really inspiring. It shows girls that you don’t need your hair and makeup done to feel and look beautiful. I got to do this shoot with two beautiful friends, and it was super cool getting to be ourselves while having fun doing it.” – Whitney
“I loved everything about Project Beauty. It allows everyone to showcase their natural beauty and is a great reminder that everyone is beautiful with or without makeup.” – McKenna
“Being a part of the no-makeup photoshoot was an amazing experience. I love to do my hair and makeup, but without makeup not only did I get ready faster, it was nice to come in with a natural face, not worrying about hair or makeup, but coming in as myself. I was nervous at first about the whole thing, but being able to bring friends and then taking photos made the whole experience fun and I ended up in love with the photos.” – Joy
“Project Beauty shoot was a blast! It was so much fun to help out BTS and to get time behind the camera myself! I felt totally comfortable and welcomed among the 2020 girls and their friends. It was awesome to see all the girls with fresh faces, no make-up, and so much confidence just being themselves! I loved this experience!” – Baelina
Let’s Connect!
To learn more about Project Beauty, and to be the first to know when I schedule another shoot, make sure you are following along on my Instagram. You can also reach out anytime on my website, email me at [email protected] or call/text me at 530-412-0730.
My books are now open for 2021 seniors, so let’s chat!
