For over a year now, I’ve had this idea in the back of my mind…it was an idea that excited me almost more than anything. And today I am very excited to finally share my idea with you…My idea is to photograph females with cancer…free of charge…and to call this project Brave Beauty. I personally don’t know what it’s like to have chemotherapy or radiation, but I assume it’s a time in people’s lives when they don’t feel beautiful. Every woman in the world wants to feel beautiful…and my goal with my Brave Beauty project is to showcase the inner AND outer beauty of women who are incredibly brave despite the diagnosis they have received. I aim to do at least a few photo shoots of cancer patients each month…and they will be free of charge & include all of the images from the session. If you know someone who is a Brave Beauty who you think would be interested in a free photo shoot, please drop me a line HERE. I am SO excited about this & I can’t wait for all the wonderful people I will meet because of this project!
While Shoshone & I chatted during her photographs, I asked her if she felt any different since she’s had cancer. What she said to me has stuck with me. She said, “I don’t feel any different inside…but I know I am a better person because of this.” At the age of 14, during her first week of high school, she was given the unexpected diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Her family knew that she was an exceptionally caring, compassionate girl…but until she received her diagnosis, they never realized the depth of her strength, faith & courage. As her mother says, Shoshone has decided to meet her diagnosis head on…with her eyes wide open & with all the honesty & courage that she is capable of having. Shoshone is the girl who chooses every.single.day to LIVE despite the tremendous emotional, physical, social & mental challenges she faces because of this diagnosis.
Shoshone loves makeup & fashion…and she is also an incredibly gifted dancer. Her cancer may have taken some things away from her, but it has definitely made her a better person, just as Shoshone said. It has made her look to the positive aspects of her life…and it has made her LIVE each day to the fullest. Shoshone completely embodies the inner radiance of a brave beauty & I am happy to consider her as my new friend.
Here are my favorites from her Brave Beauty session…
Isn’t she a total doll?
Not all of Shoshone’s hair fell out during her treatment so she decided to keep the few long pieces that didn’t fall out instead of cutting them. I LOVE how true she is to herself & I love her strands of long hair…
LOVE this…
I love that Shoshone’s sweet mother, Heather wanted to step in for a few photographs…
At the end of the session, Shoshone brought out her wig & we did some fun shots with it!
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Beautiful girl!!! That brought tears to my eyes. I LOVE your project Marielle.
Marielle you amaze me! What a wonderful idea. These photographs are perfect. You did a wonderful job captuing a beautiful girl. She has a lovely and warm smile. I cried when I read the post and then when viewing the pictures.
Marielle, what an incredible vision. You are such an amazing photographer and person. This is so inspirational to me as a photographer and as a human being. Thank you for spreading goodness and beauty and strength in the world. <3
Wonderful project that you’ve taken on. All of us know someone who has been affected by cancer (and if not, we surely will). This is bound to be a life-changing experience. Kudos to you and to your brave subjects.
Marielle, I have always looked up to you for your great ideas and your amazing photography, but this is just so much more than any of that. You are a wonderful person.
Have you considered not only those who are currently going through chemotherapy and radiation, but those who have finished their treatment? I know a ton of women who struggle after cancer to feel beautiful. I recently attended a seminar called, “Sexy After Cancer” with a friend in Berkeley. The woman who put it together is amazing. She might be a great resource. Their website is http://www.sexyaftercancer.com.
Marielle,
This gorgeous shoot brought tears to my eyes! So beautiful and brave! This adorable gal will likely have more compassion and zest for life than most of us will ever know. Thanks for the fun project! I will look forward to seeing all of the photos of strong brave and amzing women! so INSPIRATIONAL!
Hi Marielle,
This girl is truly beautiful. I can see her beauty skin deep in these pictures. Yes- Kudos to you for sharing this to all of us. Blessings to you …
Thanks for taking the great pictures of Shone, love the black and white photographs….
This is my beautiful and amazing cousin Shoshone ! Could not be more Proud and inspired by her strength and courage !
This is such an amazing story about my sweet cousin, Shoshone! Her courage and strength is simply…amazing!!
Beautiful photos of a truly beautiful girl! I am inspired by Shoshone’s strength and attitude and so thrilled that you’ve been able to use your gift of photography to share Shoshone’s beauty with us all. A wonderful project.
Shoshone, all your beauty, strength and grace shines through in these photos. Thank you for sharing. You’re gorgeous!
Beautiful young, brave and strong woman. It’s obvious that you put God first in your life. God will be with you through all this.
i miss u cuz im so happy your fighting 4 the cure
,love hayley allee and gage my bro !!!!!!!!!!
What a beautiful thing and what beautiful woman!