Project Beauty 2019

Every year, I have an ah-mazing model team. These girls empower each other during group sessions, form close friendships, and support each other throughout the year. I love seeing them gain confidence and let their inner beauty shine. We had so much fun participating in the Project Beauty 2019 campaign.

Project Beauty is an awesome movement started by Thomas Nguyen to help seniors feel confident and beautiful. I recently shared the 2020 model team’s take on Project Beauty, and now I am throwing it back to 2019.

No Makeup Session

The 2019 AHP model team girls and I jokingly called this session the “nekkid shoot”, since the girls kept their faces nekkid with no makeup. The mission behind Project Beauty is stripping away all the makeup, filters, and contouring, along with the pressure to look a certain way. These girls deserve to feel beautiful in their own skin.

What to Wear for Project Beauty

In addition to a bare face, the girls wore simple outfits for this Project Beauty session. Jeans are a must, and the girls could wear a neutral colored shirt. Even though they had the same guidelines for what to wear, they each showcased their unique styles and personalities. Their outfits included denim overalls, cozy sweaters, ripped black jeans, and delicate accessories. These simple outfits made the portraits even more timeless.

Studio 253 Portraits

My studio in downtown Tacoma is the best spot for Project Beauty portraits. The studio is conveniently located, which makes it easy for all the model team members to gather together. I have so much fun bringing these girls in for regular sessions at the studio.

The studio’s minimalist aesthetic was a perfect fit for this session’s theme, and the natural light coming in from the windows was just gorgeous. I love that Project Beauty eliminates all the distractions – there is no need for props or decorations. The focus is on the girls and their natural beauty!

Seeing Themselves in a New Light

Getting the girls together for a group session always includes solo and group portraits. Group portraits are an ah-mazing way for them to remember the incredible team they were a part of! And Project Beauty lets these girls see themselves in a new light. I want the girls to have portraits that they can treasure forever.

We kept the poses simple, and I think the confidence that each girl has just shines through. They may have been nervous at first, but all that melted away in front of the camera!

I did not do any retouching on the girls’ portraits, so when they saw the final result they would know they were looking at themselves exactly how they are! Seeing their reactions is one of the best parts of these sessions. I am so glad I get to play a role in boosting their confidence and sharing the message that beauty comes from within.

Scroll through for #projectbeauty inspiration and stay tuned for more from the 2021 AHP team.

“I really enjoyed doing the ‘Nekkid’ no makeup shoot because I was able to get behind the camera in my own skin, without a bunch of makeup on. I felt more comfortable because I was truly myself and embraced my real beauty. It has inspired me to like myself and feel more confident in my own skin!” – Gabby

“Inner beauty can’t shine through makeup.“ – Cieara

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!