Blush Cover Model Tracey - A Story of Survival & Triumph

Today I've got a long story that I've been dying to share with the world, but I'm going to start with the fantastic ending and then share the rough beginning on another day.  Because I'd much rather share the fantasticness with you today!  

...so in conclusion, after several years of desiring an incredible studio space where I could create beautiful portraits for women, I have finally been able to partner with BLUSH studio.  

BLUSH is the premiere studio exclusively specializing in women's portraits, located in Dayton, Ohio.  

Their super-chic loft studio is a girls' dream, complete with exposed brick, vintage chandeliers and hot hot hot props!  When I confirmed that I was able to start shooting at BLUSH, the first thing I had to do was choose a Cover Model to debut my marketing campaign for the BLUSH portrait sessions.  

I'm one of those women that is super lucky {or not!} to be surrounded by gorgeous friends that seem to wake up in the morning looking like they belong in a magazine.  Basically, I had no lack of choices of women that would photograph wonderfully and would love a day of feeling like a supermodel.  But I knew that I wanted more than a pretty face.  I wanted to showcase how the BLUSH experience is not only about how it makes you look, but also how it makes you feel.  

Tracey was the first lady that I approached with the opportunity to be my BLUSH Cover Model and I knew she was the perfect choice.  Her life has been a whirlwind of emotion for the past year or so and I really wanted her to have this opportunity but was hesitant that she would accept it.  

She's not the "look at me" kind of gal, but I was hoping that she would realize this was about so much more than just pictures.  

Here's Tracey's story in her own words:

There are moments in life that you cannot prepare yourself for.  Moments that test your faith, your courage, and your strength.  In May of 2011, my life was turned upside down and I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  I was faced with the toughest decision of my life and chose to have a Mastectomy in June 2011.  I have since had 4 reconstruction surgeries.  I could not have made it through this journey without the love and support of my husband, family and friends.  I am a survivor.

When presented with the opportunity of the "Blush Experience", I felt a bit anxious and nervous.  I would not typically do something like this for myself, a mom of 3 and still feeling insecure about my reconstruction.  Although still intrigued, I agreed to do it.  When I arrived, my makeup was done by a professional makeup artist.  Now that is a confidence builder!  The studio was full of the most beautiful props and accessories ~ a girls dream.  Once we began, I was still a little nervous, but was quickly put at ease by the professionalism and confidence building in the photographers around me.  This was not just a "Blush Experience" but a "Personal Experience".  

I was extremely anxious to open my gallery, but when I saw my images, I was amazed.  I couldn't believe it was me.  Everything was perfect...the makeup, the lighting, the studio.  Christy is an amazing artist.  I didn't think I would really benefit from or even enjoy doing something like this, but it was an empowering experience.  It was more than just posing for pictures, for me it was a way of saying "I'm Back!".  Plus, every girl deserves to be a princess for a day.

Having her makeup applied by Blush makeup artist Lauren.

I'm so grateful that Tracey trusted me to capture these portraits that meant so much to her and her family.  

And I'm so excited to work with more women and empower them with whatever they're needing thru the BLUSH experience!