The Fairytale Body Paint Photoshoot
Last year a friend of mine received the devastating news, invasive breast cancer. A stunningly gorgeous not quite 40 year old wife, mother & friend to many needed an emergency double mastectomy. She found out on a Thursday that her surgery had to be on Monday. In just 4 days.
Fast forward months and months of surgeries, chemo, hair loss, cancer drugs, a river of tears, unrelenting strength & a million prayers. I finally was able to see my friend again, scarred but still gorgeous. So proud to show me her now cancer-free body. Hugs, smiles & so much to talk about. We start to chat. Then 15 minutes later, as she’s sitting right in front of me, she receives a text.
Before I know what’s happening, her tears are pouring, her hands are shaking, she’s holding her breath…she’s frozen.
Then the words: It’s so beautiful.
She shows me, a single photograph.
A nude silhouette with a long gold necklace.
I’m speechless.
She whispers: that’s me before…
It was a stunning picture. Perfectly done. So personal. So extraordinary. But to me it was her reaction that was so moving. I wanted to let the photographer know the emotional impact of his art. So I found him on FB & scheduled a call.
It wasn’t until talking to him that I learned all the details:
Months ago when she received the ‘emergency news’ a friend of hers posted a SOS message on a photographer page looking for someone to shoot a boudoir session on that Sunday. Unfortunately, there were some inappropriate comments left by some unequipped photographers willing to take on the job for a peek. But fortunately someone tagged Scott Detweiler in the thread. Scott saw the mention (he’s a true master at this kind of photography) and was appalled with some of the insensitive comments he read. He moved around his busy schedule & agreed to do the shoot on Sunday.
A few glances at Scott’s FB page and website will show you women of all shapes, sizes & ages. Yet all of them done tastefully & uniquely. Most of his work is very private and doesn’t get seen. Sort of like the work that I do, but slightly different. You all see my face art, but my best work is the work that nobody knows you had. However, I believe his kind of art needs to be seen!
Next thing you know, I’m scheduling an all day shoot. I line up my favorite makeup artist, flower delivery & photographer friend to meet me there without giving them the true details. My cancer-free friend clears her schedule. She is there to pamper over me (literally) for the entire 8 hours.
And I let Scott work his magic.
An unbelievable experience.
My only request was for him to give me wings that sparkle….🧚🏻♀️