{I’m opening up this space to my friend Tara today. Where do I begin with this beautiful one?….I don’t think she needs an introduction, just read her words. She’s a soul-sister and sees grace everywhere just as God intended it. I love her, and you will, too…}
I can feel the shift happening…it is slow and gentle, but the message is catching on to companies and media. Beauty can’t be defined by thigh gaps, numbers on a scale, or your perfect outfit. Glamour and Vogue magazines have published multiple covers featuring plus-sized models. Hollywood stars are being photographed sans makeup, runway models are looking healthier, and self-esteem projects have flooded the media. Videos are circulating of digitally-altered models before and after scenes, beauty sketches by Dove, and campaigns to redefine the beauty standards for our little girls in this country.
I am the spiritual leader of some of these girls, about 25 of them. Some are my daughters, some are members of our youth group, and some are girls who have found me. They have been bullied, beaten down, broken, and hurt. These girls feel unworthy, unloved, abandoned, and damaged. And many feel that way because of how beauty and happiness has been defined by society. Some come from beautiful homes with loving parents, whole family units, straight A’s and picket fences. Some are pushed around, have social anxiety, don’t fit in, self-harm, have suicidal thoughts, or just don’t feel noticeable. Pain isn’t just for those with unfortunate circumstances.
My co-leader and I were shocked at the number of girls who were struggling with feelings of low self-esteem, unworthiness, and negative self-talk. We felt led to try our best to make a difference and launched a group called “Circle of Sisters” in August of 2013. We wanted to create a safe space for the girls to come and fellowship together. A place where they could talk about their pain, be accepted for their differences, seek advice and wisdom from the open-hearted, and relax…just relax…and be a kid.
It has been one of the biggest blessings of my life. Getting to know each one of these girls, their personalities, talents, beauty, and what sets them apart from the crowd. We have had giggles and tears, secrets and confessions, breakdowns and prayers. They get the same message every week: God is there, God is your strength, and God has made you beautiful in his image. You are enough, you are unique, and you ARE WORTHY.
In the process of helping lead this group, I also opened the doors to a long-awaited photography company. I was excited to get started, but wanted to start it with giving back in some way. After all, God had blessed me so many times over, and it was only by His Grace that this was possible. Then came the idea for Mission Beautiful.
My idea was to give the girls the experience of what a true photo shoot entails, and pictures to remind them that they are beautiful and uniquely made. I knew that this was going to take a village of volunteers to pull off…so I reached out to some of my dearest and talented friends. Makeup artists, wardrobe stylists, and a sweet friend and fellow photographer volunteered on a beautiful Saturday to help make this happen. For weeks the girls planned their “looks” and swapped wardrobe ideas and hairstyling tips. Others volunteered props, organizational skills, clothing racks, tables for the event, and their time. The day of the event arrived…and although a bit of chaos was to be expected, it was perfect. Flat irons, cookies, laughter, tears, hairspray and lip gloss happened, but more importantly, girls began to shine by being themselves.
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It’s hard to love yourself…even as an adult I still struggle daily to accept myself and love the skin I am in. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for our teens in this day and age to be confident and to embrace their uniqueness.
No matter the words that are spoken by others, you must believe your worth in your heart. God’s work is an inside job.
Currently there are plans in the works for another Mission Beautiful…more lovely ladies to make feel pretty (and hopefully remind them that this isn’t a fluke…God really DID make you beautiful) but more encouraging is the feedback from the girls. Every time I see a picture from that day posted, I am reminded that they felt beautiful. These girls now have a flood of ideas for their future that involve giving back, sharing their life experiences with girls, support groups, & non profit organizations…all with the name Mission Beautiful. Oh, He is so GOOD!
Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Tara is a self-proclaimed job nomad who has, after many life lessons, found her calling in photography. Spiritual leader, mission trip junkie, elephant chaser and mommy to many, she finds peace in her children’s laughter, mountain streams, and on her yoga mat. She calls Georgia home, where she exists in a constant state of chaos with her 6 kids, hot hubby, and a menagerie of animals.
Find Tara at Earthmama Photography on Facebook here.
She also makes Instagram beautiful.
In the Atlanta area? Contact her at Earthmama Photography: (678) 600-1768
*All photos by Earthmama Photography. Special thanks to Karen Nickel at Karen Nickel Photography for lending her creative photography talents, and to the countless volunteers and creative brains behind this project.
