Growing into womanhood today comes with its own set of challenges. It’s never been easy to be a teenager, especially in the social media age.
There’s enormous pressure to look good, fit in, and be liked.
The thing is: perfect doesn’t exist and there isn’t such a thing as “photogenic.”
It’s time to shift the beauty narratives for our beloved young girls and women.
It’s time to help her embrace her natural and unique beauty.
It’s time to re-imagine how to support our teens and tweens as they transform into
Confident Girls and Empowered Women.
I don’t just see pretty through the camera lens, I also see resilience. I see grace and strength, spunk and confidence. It’s my job as a photographer to capture these qualities.
Support your teen or tween through a photographic journey culminating in a gallery-style art exhibition and celebration that will boost her confidence and self-esteem.
WHAT ELSE IS IN IT FOR HER BESIDES AN UNFORGETTABLE, SELF-EMPOWERING EXPERIENCE?
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
My goal is to photograph 30 ‘teens and ‘tweens grades 6-10, of all shapes & sizes, and all ethnicities in celebration of the diversity of the Washington DC metro area that we live in.
The Confident Girls, Empowered Women project is an indulgent, pampering, exciting adventure for your daughter. What could be better than a photography experience custom-tailored and focused on her! Think about how you would like your ‘teen or ‘tween to be captured, and how she wants to be portrayed.
What I am most excited about with this project is the opportunity to take the everyday girl and give her an unforgettable, transformational, celebrity-style, magazine photography experience. This is about so much more than just “taking pretty pictures.”
You love your daughter, and you see her beauty and light. My hope is that your daughter’s participation will lead to her seeing herself the way that you and other loved ones see her.
HOW WILL MY DAUGHTER BE FEATURED IN THE PROJECT SHOWCASE?
Bonus! We'll also e-mail you preparation tips for your daughter's photography session, and all sorts of other goodies!
WHY TEENS + TWEENS? WHY ME? WHY NOW?
When I originally became a professional photographer nearly 15 years ago, it was because I loved the art of photography, and I loved being behind the camera. But over time, I’ve come to realize that one of the best things about being a professional photographer is that I have an amazing power, and that superpower is to make people feel good... no GREAT!... about how they look! I discovered that I have the power to influence self-image and BUILD self-esteem and confidence!
I have photographed countless women who initially thought they’re unphotogenic. Some women had only 1 or 2 photographs of themselves that they liked. Some had none. Others confessed that they dreaded being photographed. And when I begin photographing them, I inevitably find that all they really need is a photographer who makes them feel comfortable and relaxed... someone who can bring out their natural smile and identify the most flattering angles, lighting, and posing for their face and body type.
And I realized that the lack of self-confidence in a woman's own beauty and image doesn't happen overnight. It starts in the ‘teen and ‘tween years and carries over into womanhood.
Maybe kids are making fun of them at school and say they have a big nose, or a crooked smile. If I can help girls build self-esteem and confidence as early as in the ‘tween and ‘teen years... if I can help make a ‘tween feel less awkward, or bring a ‘teen out of that self-perpetuating spiral of low self-esteem... then I have truly made a difference.
Before becoming a professional photographer, I spent more than 3 years in West Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer. I worked for 12 years after that in international development and humanitarian aid.
Today, I want to make a difference here at home.
That is why I created the Confident Girls, Empowered Women project! (By the way, that's me in the photograph below.)
1) STYLE & CONCEPT CONSULTATION
Get ready to get even more excited than you already are!
2) MAKEOVER AT HOME
Access our complete written and how-to video makeup guide with easy-to-follow breakdowns of looks that look great on everyone. Your daughter will have fun learning to apply makeup like a pro!
Get ready to invest in your daughter and help her learn some new skills!
3) CELEBRITY-STYLE PHOTOSHOOT
Enjoy an up to 3-hour, fully directed, expert magazine-style photoshoot experience, with multiple locations, both in-studio and outdoors, and multiple wardrobe changes. Let your daughter revel in the fun of being the covergirl!
Does she think she's not photogenic? Those nonsense thoughts will be gone after her photoshoot. It's not her job to be photogenic; it's MY job to make her feel relaxed and comfortable, identify the most flattering lighting and posing for her body type and features, and then directing her into it.
Let's get her ready to rock this!
4) THE BIG REVEAL
A week or so after the photography session, you'll come back to the studio for your big reveal and ordering appointment, when you'll review the images, choose the image for your complimentary, matted desktop portrait, and purchase more as your heart desires.
Get ready to be amazed!
Bonus! We'll also e-mail you preparation tips for your daughter's photography session, and all sorts of other goodies!
E-mail: irene@ireneabdou.com * Phone: 301-892-3789 * © 2022 Irene Abdou Photography, LLC
Teen Photographer & Family Photographer serving MD, DC, and Northern VA