International Womens’ Day 🦋

A day to celebrate yesterday’s brave women, on whose shoulders we stand. A day to join in solidarity with the women raising their voices toward a more just society today. A day to advocate more openly for gender equality. A day to - intentionally + purposefully - dream of a better future for ourselves, our daughters, and granddaughters. A day to celebrate the enormous contributions we - WOMXN - make to this beautiful but imperfect world.

I was teary eyed whilst contemplating this post… thinking, with admiration, of all the women who have gone before me - a few known to me but many not… of the women who, through their own fortitude, character, and integrity have spoken up to advocate for themselves, for others, and for all who would come later - despite the knowledge or fear that their reputations, livelihoods, and even their LIVES could be in jeopardy… I’m thinking of beautiful friends who are battling diagnoses and who continue to show up for their loved ones, their communities, and their work… I’m also thinking of those who've lost loved ones or opportunities or dreams because of this asinine oppression + diminishment… and how about the women trailblazers who’ve changed industries/education/society/laws by seeing a need and then moving mountains to address them…
To each who has stood her ground, even with her voice quivering in fear… I AM IN AWE. 💪

(for added inspo, check out this awesome interview: Dr. Tererai Trent)

All too often we are told to be quiet, to ‘calm down’, that we’re ‘too much’, that we don’t smile enough or we smile too much, too skinny/not skinny enough, too pale/too dark… it’s ridiculous and we all know that, sadly, the list of how we are ‘supposed to be’ goes on and on… and on and on… WELL, let today be the day that we add voices to the movement. People of every gender, race, religion, and orientation united in the desire for a more equitable world. #yesplease

As Arthur Ashe so beautifully said, “Do what you can, with what you've got, where you are.” Imagine if each of us were to do just that. ⭕️ And so, in solidarity with everyone who believes in equality and because my entire business is built upon empowering women!, for every portrait session purchased* on March 8 or 9, 2023, I will donate $50 to a for-purpose (aka: non-profit, but I like Adam Braun’s term better 😉) organization that supports education for girls globally. Let the goodness ripple out. 💞

I hope today is the day that your belief in + desire for a more just society - for EVERYONE - is ignited or reignited. There’s work to do! 🙌

‘Here’s to strong women:
may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.’

With a heart full of love and hope and belief,

xo Lori

PS I’ve grappled, over these last 10+ years in business, about how I have too easily acquiesced to those asking for or expecting freebies/discounts - tbh, sometimes (a lot of the time 😬) it’s been my own beliefs in what ‘should be’ offered… as an empathic soul this has been my ‘business’ nemesis - I mean: my insurance, education, software, studio, time, training, experience, etc. all still cost me 🤑. BUT HERE I AM, finally realizing, in a more formidable way, that I will be able to do SO MUCH MORE ‘good’ if I have the resources to sustain my inclinations (like donating to education for girls!). Today’s offering is not the first I’ve done, BUT it does mark a turning point in how I plan to operate going forward: I will remain ‘heart on sleeve’ but with the conviction that I can’t do what I’d like to do without $$!

*each paid portrait session, purchased on March 8 or 9, 2023, will ensure $50 is donated to girls’ education; session must take place in the year 2023 in Calgary. Holler with any questions. 😘