About

THE BEGINNING

Earlier this year, I was over at the house of a friend and fellow photographer. I was admiring all the beautiful wedding photos throughout the house. Her house looked very similar to mine in that respect. We joked about how the only thing up on our walls were our wedding photos. And we were starting to get sick of them.

After that discussion, I started thinking about the type of photo opportunities that were available after a wedding. The only things that popped into my head were photos that centered around the family such as maternity, newborn, toddler, and family portraits.

But what if a woman wanted a photo of herself? Where were those opportunities? Many of them were at the local mall in the form of a very overdone glamour shot. Or at a professional studio with hot lights and a bright blue background. These options were not satisfying to me as I felt they produced very formal, stiff, and impersonal portraits.

These adjectives did not even begin to describe the women I knew. Women that are strong, individual, funny, warm, caring, interesting, and unique. Characteristics that ultimately make each woman beautiful.

These same women above, when asked, would never describe themselves as beautiful. And that wasn't satisfying to me either. I wanted to use my gift to change their mind.

I came across a quote from Sophia Loren that summed up my project perfectly.

"Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful."

THE STYLE

As soon as I knew I was going to do this project, I knew it needed to have a cohesive feel to it.

A style.

But what style? Months went by and the project slipped from my mind. Then I came across the work of Brigitte Lacombe (www.brigittelacombe.com). Her portfolio had a gallery of women, mostly celebrities, with a simple white or grey background. In black + white. The style struck a chord with me instantly and I knew that this was the style that I would shoot in.

The simplicity of the white background forces the woman front and center. She must confront all the fears and insecurities she may have about herself because she can't hide or blend into competing scenery.

Take away all the noise.

She might see herself.
For the first time.
In a different light.
In a different angle.
As unique + beautiful.
And believe it.

THE GOAL

Believe is an ongoing project for me. I don’t know when it will end or ultimately what I will do with it.

It is a project mostly for me but also for the women I get to spend time with and capture.

If nothing else, my hope is that through my lens, each woman might look at herself a little differently.

Even better, when she sees her photos, she will truly realize just how unique and beautiful she really is.

And believe it.

Warmly,
Erin Vey