Stories of Strength

Honoring Women and Their Stories of RESILIENCE Through Breast Cancer

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Honoring Your Journey

This October, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am inviting 20 women who have faced breast cancer—whether you are currently in treatment or a survivor—to experience a Just BE portrait session.

This campaign is about more than portraits. It’s an opportunity to pause, to celebrate your courage, to honor your journey, and to share your story in a way that uplifts and inspires others.

What You’ll Receive

  • A full Just BE portrait experience (2–3 hours in studio, Central Coast California)

  • A $190 product credit to use toward portraits at your same-day reveal

  • One 8x10 matted print (your first keepsake, included as part of the campaign)

  • A feature in the Just BE: Stories of Strength magazine, where your portraits and story will be shared

  • Your own copy of the Just BE: Stories of Strength magazine

  • Special Stories of Strength feature on social media, including your story along with select portraits (portraits selected with your consent)

What to Expect

The Just BE Experience: This is not a typical photoshoot. Just BE is a safe, empowering space where you can show up exactly as you are. You’ll receive a simple Prep Guide designed to make the process easy and stress-free. No professional hair and makeup, no pressure to pose—just soulful connection, candid black-and-white portraits and time set aside for you.

Sharing Your Story: You’ll be asked to provide a short paragraph (1–2) about your journey with breast cancer, in your own words. Your story will accompany your portraits in the Stories of Strength magazine, honoring your voice alongside your images.

Your Comfort Comes First: Every story and image will only be shared with your approval. You’ll also sign a model release, but you’ll have the opportunity to review and approve images before anything is published.

For some, this session may be a space to reveal scars or embrace a bald head. For others, it may simply be a time to laugh, move, and keep things light. Both are equally powerful. I am here to honor YOU, and there is no pressure to be photographed in any way that doesn’t feel right for your comfort or your story.

Testimonial

“The Just BE photography shoot was one of the most powerful experiences of my life. After going through a double mastectomy from breast cancer, I had been carrying so many emotions- grief, strength, survival, loss, and transformation all inside me. This shoot gave me the space to truly see myself again, beyond the scars, beyond the story… and into the truth of who I am now.

Standing in front of the camera, I felt exposed, but not broken, vulnerable, but incredibly strong. The black-and-white images didn’t just capture my body; they captured my soul, my resilience, my becoming. For the first time since my diagnosis, I felt a sense of peace between my inside and outside. I felt whole again.

This wasn’t just about photos, it was about reclaiming myself. About honoring every part of my journey. It was emotional, raw, and absolutely beautiful. I will carry this experience with me forever.” ~Jenn W.

Why I’m Doing This

I created Just BE as a way to help people see and feel their authentic beauty. This October, I want to honor the incredible strength and resilience of women impacted by breast cancer by offering this campaign and sharing your stories through portraits.

This work also carries a special dedication. My mentor, Mitzi Starkweather, is the photographer who first introduced me to the raw portrait movement and whose teachings continue to influence my work today. Her approach to honest, vulnerable imagery became the foundation of Just BE. Mitzi has faced her own breast cancer journey and is continuing to live a very full life with stage 4 cancer.

Rather than accepting personal support, Mitzi suggested that this campaign extend its impact by contributing to the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks (BCFO), which has provided her support over the years and continues to help women and families facing breast cancer. A percentage of all sales from this campaign will be donated to BCFO in her honor — a meaningful way to extend the impact of this work by supporting others in the same compassionate ways she has been supported.

Mitzi’s resilience embodies what this project is all about: seeing ourselves fully, honoring every chapter of our story and celebrating the beauty of being Raw. Real. Honest.

Participation Fee

There is a special campaign session fee of $190 (regularly $590).

This fee helps cover the cost of the magazine, your gifted matted print, and ensures I can honor each woman’s story with the care it deserves.

Optional Purchases: If you choose to go beyond what’s included, portraits start at $250, collections at $1,590, and wall art at $740. I will walk you through all of your legacy portrait options during your image reveal portion of your session.

How to Participate

Taking part in Just BE: Stories of Strength is simple:

  1. Apply using the form below. Share a few details about yourself and why this experience would be meaningful to you.

  2. Selection process. Because space is limited, not all applications can be accepted. Each story is important, and participants will be thoughtfully selected to ensure I can give each woman the time and care she deserves.

  3. If selected, I’ll be in touch. You’ll receive scheduling options and a Prep Guide to help you feel completely at ease.

  4. Enjoy your session. Come as you are, knowing this space is for you. Together, we’ll create soulful black-and-white portraits that reflect your strength and authentic beauty.

  5. Share your story. You’ll provide a short paragraph (1–2) about your journey with breast cancer to accompany your portraits in the Just BE: Stories of Strength magazine.

That’s it. There’s no pressure, just an invitation to honor your journey and be part of something meaningful.

Hi ladies, I’m Jill…

APPLY NOW

Closing Note

Thank you for considering being part of this heartfelt campaign. My hope is that together, we can create something powerful—portraits and stories that celebrate courage, resilience, and the beauty of being seen, exactly as you are.