Supermodels come in all forms

December 2004

If a picture is worth a thousand words than how much is the story behind the picture worth?

From a mother’s point of view, if you want an event that will test your patience, tenacity and last but not least, sanity, schedule a professional picture of a child.

I recently had the opportunity to volunteer on picture day at The Lincoln Center and Jo Brighton School, a center based school for students with disabilities.  This volunteer experience gave me the opportunity to participate in the process from the other side of the camera.

The Lifetouch photographer, Kelly Stergiadis, had a few extra challenges on this picture day. In addition to accommodating for students who were sitting, standing, kneeling or wearing glasses, she had to adjust for students who were in wheelchairs, blind, deaf or had various developmental disabilities. 

Kelly was truly amazing as she truly tried to capture the best photograph possible. She didn’t just snap pictures as if running a picture assembly line; she took a picture and asked the staff, “Do you think we can do better?”

One girl’s tiny wheelchair sat so low that the camera (which is pre-focused for portraits) couldn’t get a clear picture. We didn’t give up until we found a way to safely elevate the wheelchair so the picture could be taken.

Some of the student’s smiles came easy. It was wonderful to see their face light up when we said “good morning beautiful”. Yet students who didn’t have enough muscle control were unable to smile, although, I like to believe they were happy.

Picture day reminded me that a person’s true beauty should be measured from the inside out. Our society has a false sense of what defines beauty. Our children learn to measure it based on the outer appearances the airbrushed pop idols and supermodels whose faces adorn magazine covers, television and movie screens.  To appreciate the true beauty of others, you have to see past their outer layer and past the label or stereotype that society may have unfairly given them. 

When my volunteer time ended I was physically exhausted but emotionally recharged. Even though their portraits may never adorn Vogue or Vanity Fair, and they may never stroll down a runway in Paris or Milan, I had the opportunity to work with numerous supermodels on picture day. The camera may have captured their image, but their true beauty has been forever etched in my heart.