Project BeautyBeast

I am a boudoir photographer, senior portrait and business branding photographer. I discovered this project by Thomas Nguyen, and decided to put my own spin on it. I love helping women and girls love their bodies, accept themselves, and build their confidence. I have done several projects in the past around women empowerment and human trafficking.

My Why: I know that there is a huge problem with bullying and self-harm and even worse... I know this because most of the women I help have been victim of it too. It's a problem that we need to talk about. We need voices to step forward and be the voice for those who aren't brave enough to speak up.

Project Description:

I am interviewing and photographing 25 teenagers ranging from 10 years old to 19 years old.

I plan to professionally mat and frame each portrait to be displayed at our event, which will consist of showing the documentary style film to the community.

I want to give teens in our community a voice, and give the adults in our community an opportunity to hear them, and provide resources and solutions.

**ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS RAISED will be used to help local anti-bullying programs! Yay!

The Costs: 

• Each teen's professional portrait will cost about $100 each. ($2500)
• Swag: I would like to provide each kid with swag, ie: shirt, tote bag, journals, etc... as a momento and thank you for sharing their stories. I estimate spending $100 on each kid. ($2500)
• I am hoping to get the venue to show the film donated. If that can't happen, I imagine it will cost $500 to show the film and have the forum in that space.
• Food and beverages for 300 people $1000
• Marketing the event: $300

The Stats:

According to Youth Ambassadors for kids: 77% of students are bullied mentally, verbally, & physically. Cyberbullying statistics are rapidly approaching similar numbers, with 43% experiencing cyberbullying. ... 1 in 5 students admit to being a bully, or doing some "Bullying." Each day 160,000 students miss school for fear of being bullied.

According to the Jason Foundation: Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for ages 10-24. (2016 CDC WISQARS)
Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for college-age youth and ages 12-18. (2016 CDC WISQARS)
More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, COMBINED.
Each day in our nation, there are an average of over 3,470 attempts by young people grades 9-12. If these percentages are additionally applied to grades 7 & 8, the numbers would be higher.
Four out of Five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs

According to Teen Help.com - it’s estimated that one in every 200 girls between 13 and 19 years old, or one-half of one percent, cut themselves regularly. Those who cut comprise about 70 percent of teen girls who self injure.

According to wcnc.com a Study shows that: 94% of teenage girls have been body shamed
One study found 94 percent of all teenage girls, and 64 percent of teenage boys have been shamed for the way their body looks.
I am NOT OKAY with these statistics. It's time to TAKE A STAND.