International Women’s Day
Today is International Women’s Day, and I’m here for it. In fact, as both a photographer and therapist who empowers, documents, and champions women, every day is International Women’s Day.
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Sure, the day to me is a bit of a political statement. It’s a bit rage against the machine. But it’s also a time to celebrate the girls and women we all know, who are waking up each day and doing what they do. Because at the heart of it, women like my Mom, my grandmothers, my tribe, my friends, and the young women I have had the chance to know and love, are all making the world a better place just by being in it.
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My aunt and I were talking recently about family history, and she sent me some stuff about the DiPasquale/DePalma/Giambrone families dating back to when they immigrated from Italy in the early 1900’s. The first picture that I saw was this one of my Grandma, who was a hairdresser before, during, and for a little while after World War II. Seeing this candid shot of her took my breath away, and brought back a flood of memories, specifically playing with all of her tools and equipment that at one point got abandoned in a little nook in her basement. A few years back I wrote a book about the culture of beauty and bodies for women, and I wrote a little bit in a chapter about these memories.
The image made me think about our legacy and our lives. As women, we wear a lot of hats, and not insignificant among them is what we do in the world. As I looked at this picture of my Grandma, I imagined her carrying on all of those conversations and giving all of those women the gift of feeling beautiful. I like to think in some small way, working with women in both my therapy practice and in my photography work also helps to make women feel good in their skin. I hope that maybe in some strange way, I am carrying forward her legacy a bit too.
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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; as women, we are powerful. We are often the embodiment of love and grace towards others. We are worth documenting. Candid moments in the midst of our daily and busy lives, on holidays and family trips, or with professional portraiture; leaving a photo behind for those who love us to fondly find later is truly a gift.
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Whether it’s with me, on an iPhone, or with another photographer, I hope you’ll consider having portraits taken. Of yourself. Of those you love. I can’t think of a better day to celebrate, document, and cherish all that we are and all that we do.
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Thanks for checking out my page today.
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Xoxo,
Gina
+++ Gina D. Graham, LCSW is a therapist and portrait photographer working with girls and women in the suburbs of Chicago. Gina loves meeting new clients, both in practice and in portraiture, and introducing them to their real, raw, and beautiful version of themselves that has been there all along. You can find Gina’s book, “Body Beautiful, How Changing the Conversation About Our Bodies Has the Power to Change the World” HERE.
+++ All images right of @lifelensandlove photography