The Essence Campaign is a special photography project by Cory Powell Photography. Our mission is to empower women through creating beautiful portraits showcasing their true essence of strength and beauty while reminding them how extraordinary they are. There is nothing more beautiful and powerful than celebrating your true, authentic self. More than ever, right now the world needs us all to allow our light to shine through – that’s why I’m so passionate about this project – the Essence Campaign.

This is an invitation to YOU to celebrate who you are and be a part of the Essence Campaign. Real transformation comes from investing in yourself, from filling yourself up first and allowing it to overflow. The true power of this and success of this project is that it invites women to value themselves.

If you’re ready to shine and want to experience this for yourself, I would love to photograph you! You can contact me from my main website.

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Each woman selected for the project gets to experience her very own luxury portrait session and share her story and perspective on beauty and strength. This is Tanya's feature:

Tell us more about you!

I'm a single mom of four children with one still at home, and four grandchildren. I'm a social services director at a long term care facility... Needless to say I have a crazy busy life.

Why did you want to book a boudoir shoot?

I became newly single recently and had allowed this person to lower my self esteem and question my self worth. I decided to do something for me in the hopes it would make me feel better about myself.

Were you nervous about anything before your session? How was your experience?

I was absolutely petrified about the entire experience. What to wear, how to pose, how awkward it was all going to be. From the moment I walked in the door I started to feel better. Ladies that did the hair and make up were so fun and helped lighten the mood. Cory and I had already discussed what poses I liked and he went from there. He definitely knows what he's doing and has that personality you can't help feeling comfortable around. I can honestly say it was one of the most fun relaxing days I'd had in a long time.

What is your definition of beauty?

I believe beauty is much more than skin deep, and definitely comes from within.

Before your session did you feel beautiful? What about this experience helped you challenge that view and/or embrace your beauty?

I'd be lying if I said I felt beautiful before my session. I was only focused on what I didn't like about my physical appearance. This experience helped me realize beauty truly is more than skin deep and if you let your inner beauty shine it reflects on the physical beauty as well. I was shocked when Cory showed me a preview of a picture and the words "wow I really like that picture" came out of my mouth...

What makes you uniquely powerful?

The fact that I can overcome any obstacle that is thrown my way

If you’re ready to shine and want to experience this for yourself, I would love to photograph you! You can contact me from my main website.

LEARN MORE