I am embarking on a massive project this year to celebrate Wilomark's 3rd birthday!
After the launch of the 40 over 40 project in 2015, I became all to aware that so many women did not exist in photographs. The more I spoke to the women in the project, the more I discovered that they were the ones behind the camera, or avoiding the camera for one reason or another. When looking through photo albums or mobile phone photos, there were few images of them with their families and even fewer of them alone. Bad self esteem, body shame and negative self talk were main reasons the women I met didn't feel worthy of existing in photographs. To see the change in self confidence over the course of the 40 over 40 project was incredible and it was such an honour for me to meet and photograph these incredible women.
True beauty comes from within. Our intelligence, strength, courage, vulnerability and determination are what makes us beautiful. Sometimes, we may not feel as beautiful on the outside as we do on the inside. We get busy with our lives, raising families, working on our careers...or both.
Life can take us in so many directions and everyone has a story to tell, good or bad, if you just take the time to listen. I want to tell your stories. I want to help you look and feel your best but most of all I want to empower you. I know from experience what body issues and negative self-talk can do to your feeling of self-worth and I want to help you.
So, to celebrate Wilomark's 3rd birthday, I will be choosing 30 women in their 30s, 40 women in their 40s and 50 women over 50; to celebrate themselves and this moment in their lives, and to have them exist in their own stories. Women face so many highs and lows, triumphs and challenges during the different stages of our lives, and I want to make sure that you exist in photographs, for yourselves and your families.
Each journey is different and uniquely yours, but by sharing your journey I hope that we can show other women that they aren't alone and that they are valued, they are loved and they are beautiful... just the way they are and no matter what is going on in their lives.
As part of this project, I will be choosing at least 5 women from each age group to tell their stories of infertility issues and/or their conscious choice not to have children. I will also dedicate at least 5spots to women who wish to tell their story on how they felt (or feel) when their children moved out of home, leaving them as empty nesters.
I have been touched by so many friends who have struggled in their journey to have a child and others who have been judged for their choice to not have children, so I am dedicating these places to help tell your story and to remove social stigmas around having children and encourage discussions on these topics. I believe that the more people talk about their struggles and choices the more we can normalise them in society and help women who feel they are ‘not normal’ or need to face things alone that it’s OK to speak up and feel the way they feel.
As part of the project, each lady chosen will be pampered with professional hair and makeup, some bubbles and a photoshoot with me (2017 ACT AIPP Professional Portrait/Pet Photographer of the year finalist) and my team. You also receive a 8x10" matted print of your favourite image - total value of $455. You won't pay a thing! You can purchase more images if you like but there is no obligation to do so.
I want to celebrate you and your life journey to this point. Join me and help me to tell your story so we can build each other up and let others know they are not alone.
Thank you for considering the "Womens World" project and for helping me show that EVERY woman is beautiful, EVERY woman has a story, EVERY woman is perfect just how they are.
If you would like to be involved in this years project, follow this link to an online questionnaire that will ask you questions about yourself, be as honest and as thorough as you can. Submissions will be accepted until Monday 3rd July 2017. Successful applicants will be notified 10th July 2017.
If you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call on 62804220 or email kylee@wilomark.com
The Fine Print
- This is not a game of chance, successful submissions will be based on answers supplied via the online entry form.
- You must give Wilomark Imagery permission to re-tell your story (or part thereof) and use your images for promotional purposes after your session. You will receive a questionnaire after your session that will form part of your blog post for the Women's World Project. You can see some of the 40 over 40 Blog posts here. Please call 62804220 if you would like to discuss any concerns before submitting your application.
- Additional images will be available for sale but there is no obligation to purchase. You will receive pricing information in your welcome brochure.
- You are welcome to invite family members, friends, pets etc. to your session but there may be additional cost if hair and makeup is required.
- You are welcome to nominate someone for this project; however, you must notify them of your intention and supply their contact details in the online form.
- Acceptance into the project can not be redeemed for cash.