I started learning photography back in 2009, when I move to Lausanne, Switzerland. My husband bought me a semi professional Canon and this was the first time I picked up a camera. I began exploring it by photographing everything around me (as most people do) - the city, the gardens, the fireworks on a special evening. My interest grew more and more while I was learning this beautiful craft through endless hours of youtube videos, articles, books and professional workshops. I started to consider photography as a part-time job a few years later and my first clients were families, pregnant women and newborn babies. And then, in 2019, I got stuck.

on a crossroad searching for your purpose

It started to feel more like a job than something I really loved doing. Too much admin tasks and always hustling to promote myself and fill my schedule. I was tired and demotivated and I was on a search for my true purpose because I couldn’t continue doing it without one.

I was lucky then as I already had my photography mentor Sue Bryce for support and I remembered what she always preach:

“In a moment of desperation, instead of feeling sorry for yourself and hating on other people for going after their dreams, just go and create something with purpose.”

— Sue Bryce

It made perfect sense and it was the right moment (as I believe everything happens for a reason and at the right moment in time when you are ready for the change). I created a photography campaign dedicated to everyday women to celebrate and empower them through their own portraits. “21 Days of Real Women” project was born.

21 days of real women photography project featuring 21 black and white portraits of women

An emotional and inspiring journey began for me and for those 21 women. They all came from different life backgrounds and they all had some important struggles in life. Someone or something made them lose their inner sparkle, their self-confidence and self-love. They needed to feel beautiful and special again, to stop feeling invisible and be seen and heard through their stories.

before and after portrait of Patricia, 71 years old

I began interviewing each woman and hearing her story made me go through so many emotions - love, pain, anger, sadness, happiness and even tears we shared together. I was seeing so much beauty in each and every one of them and they, on the other side, were sometimes carrying too much emotional weight and scars to see it.

We started the photo sessions and my only mission was to make them feel like they own the whole world. It was all about them! Professional makeup and hair styling revealed the beauty they were already carrying. A gorgeous evening dress made them look and feel like a true star. Some of them were timid and anxious, questioning if this was them as they have never seen themselves like this before. And then we played music and danced and laughed. We shared deep, soul conversations about being a woman and I could see their insecurities and guard drop down, revealing the most vibrant light they have. It was magical and I felt I was part of something bigger than myself…

be part of something bigger than yourself

zoriart photography glamour session hair and makeup

It is un understatement if I say that this project was a success. It was so much more! Together we inspired so many other women, who saw the portraits and read the touching stories. We began a whole different conversation about what it means to be a woman in her 40s, 50s and beyond. We started changing the narrative around what real beauty looks like.

WHAT IS THE POWER OF PORTRAIT?

I get sometimes this comment from people: “I don’t understand why I should do a glamour photo shoot. It seems like a vanity thing and I don’t see the point of it”. I must admit it took me a long time to understand the true power of a portrait. I have this deep passion for watching people go through the process of being photographed. Everybody walks in the studio a bit anxious about the photo shoot. And after a while, we talk, we connect and all barriers go down. People unfold in front of my camera and you can see beyond the physical beauty. In a recent conversation with one of the women I photographed in my first campaign, she shared something so beautiful about the power of her portraits:

“When I came to your studio to be photographed for your campaign “21 Days of Real Women”, it was my first time seeing myself in a beautiful evening gown, with that beautiful makeup and hairstyle. I discovered a whole new woman in me that day. When I received my portraits, I framed them beautifully on the wall in front of my desk, so I can look at them every day and be constantly reminded of the Goddess I am. The woman in those pictures is me. Even if it’s not me every day when I walk up and go to work in a beautiful gown, it is part of me. One of my many facets as a woman.
I am a subconscious mind reprogrammer and I know for a fact that those portraits are impacting directly my self-confidence and how I show up for myself and in my relationships with people. They are a visual mantra to the life I want for myself and they drive me forward every day. This is how powerful a portrait of you can be!”

— Astuti

“I invite you to a personal photo session with me. You deserve to be celebrated and empowered and the time is NOW!”

— zori

BOOK YOUR EMPOWERING PORTRAIT EXPERIENCE TODAY

The Power of Portrait

WHAT IS THE POWER OF PORTRAIT?