The Beauty Project

 

As I sit down to type this blog post, I’m reminded, for the fifteenth time this week, that I have got to find a pair of nail clippers to hack off my paint-stained-desperately-needing-a-trim fingernails.  But every time that thought pops in my mind, I’m always busy doing something else; making dinner, running kids to baseball, picking kids up at art, painting backdrops for the studio, gathering camping supplies for a scout,  watching kids in the pool, etc…  Sound familiar?   As a busy mom, wife, mother, and friend, my priority is other people, and the little things, such as trimming my fingernails, find themselves at the end of the list, if on the list at all.

Which brings me to another point.

The last time I had  professional portraits taken of just me, without my family, was at my wedding 20 years ago.  (hello, bangs!)

SO much has happened since that day.

• I graduated from college
• I became a mom
• We moved to 3 different states
• We bought and sold seven different homes
• I birthed 4 kids, three of who spent their first month in the ICU nursery, one of who had three major surgeries in his first 3 years
• Two children graduated from middle school
• One child graduated from high school
• I lost my dad to cancer
• We saw finances come and go through the recession
• I sweated through the step aerobics, Ta-Bo, and Pilates eras
• I started my own business
• I schooled my kids at home for a short time
• I gained and lost “that last 10 pounds” more times than I care to remember
• I turned 40

Not to mention the minutiae that is life;  numerous doctors visits, back-to-school nights, endless lunches made, late night talks with kids, date nights with my husband, boo-boos kissed, carpools driven, family vacations enjoyed,  middle of the night growing pains soothed, sibling rivalry managed,etc…

I’m not the same person as that young bride at 22.  I’ve learned and grown and experienced an incredible amount  in the last 20 years.  And even though 42 sounds really old to me, inside I don’t feel that old.  But when I see snapshot of myself, I feel nothing like the middle-age woman looking back at me.   Having portraits of myself that represent the culmination of experiences I’ve had so far in my life and how I feel inside, that make my heart sing,  would mean the world to me.

That’s what I want to do for YOU through a new session I’m calling The Beauty Project.

I want to provide an opportunity for women of all ages, shapes, and sizes to experience a session all about YOU.  To take a few hours out of your busy life for a make-over (professional hair and make-up) to wipe away the monotony and commitments and weight of life for just a few hours, so you can look and feel as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside with a  photo shoot.  To celebrate the highs and lows and trials and accomplishments that life has handed you so far.  To own portraits of yourself that make you smile, to remind you that you are as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside.  Portraits that your family and ancestors will remember you by.

When I die, I hope to have a portrait of myself that my kids will be able to share and proudly say, “This was my beautiful mother.”

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to get my amazing hair and make-up artist, Lauren, in front of my camera for a Beauty Project session on her very own.  She’s incredibly busy running around getting ready for her October wedding but she took a few hours out of the craziness to celebrate this milestone in her journey and get portraits that she absolutely loves.

To kick off The Beauty Project, and add to my portfolio, I’m offering 6 complimentary sessions to real women, including hair and make-up, a photo shoot, plus one 8×10 of your choice.  Additional images may be purchased. To apply for a session, please email me at wendy@wendyvonsosen.com with your name, phone number, and a snap shot of you (could be your FB link).  I’m looking for women of all ages, shapes, and sizes.  

Now I’m off to find a pair of nail clippers!