What a GREAT PROGRAM! To highlight the wholesomeness and strength of some girls today, sends a valuable message of proof that girls like this can indeed be FUN and BEAUTIFUL. I sure wish they traveled to the east coast.  It looks like they (this program) are just starting out, so maybe they’ll grow as they gain exposure and popularity. We could use the ‘decent exposure’ around here.
 
  I have to say, as a professional photographer, who has photographed 100’s of high school seniors in the past 10 years, it’s a difficult fine line to walk. My work has the same goals, but the process looks much different.  I have been harshly criticized for my own work, as a ‘Catholic’ photographer, by another Catholic mom who has questioned my faith! It shook me to the core at the time, and made me question everything about who I was and what I did. But in the end, after days of praying, digging and and crying to God, I came full circle, and I realized there was no truth to the things she said, but that I simply was not going about things they way SHE would, if she were the photographer. But the extensive self -evaluation was good—because it helped me re-affirm what (some of) my work is for God, using the gifts He has given me-and always having an open hearts as to how HE wants me to use them. Not everyone (in society) carries my beliefs, but as the photographer photographing them, I carry my own personal mission, to help each individual realize the creation of God that they are, and the gift that they are to the world! To help bring out their inner light of authentic self, that is often disguised, especially in young high school girls, by the false image they are trying to project, or have developed, out of confusion, is a difficult job!  But in order to reach them, I need to meet them where they are (with themselves). Otherwise, if I turn them away, I lose my opportunity. They are often, whether they know it or not, trying to find themselves, who they are, and what they want to say with their image. Sometimes, it takes seeing the message they are projecting, in their own images of their self, to realize what they really want their image to say, and what they don’t. Many girls have been so confused and conflicted, being pushed to be physically fit/sexy/older looking than they are…..pushed not only by not only society, but believe it or not, sometimes by their own parents! They have not all grown up in a faith-based home, or been taught or guided to grow in Christ0like character. It is my goal to help them draw even a BIT closer to their authentic selves, in the images they essentially create, in front of my lens. I can’t think about what OTHER people will think in looking at my work. I can only think about my small connection with that subject, in creating the images. There is a story to them all. They are real girls, GOOD GIRLS somewhere in there, with real backgrounds and often troubled lives. Stopping in front of my lens, at this important milestone in their journey of life, is merely a STEP of growing into who they want to be. Sometimes, it takes mistakes, to truly learn. Photographing them, whether they are trying to convince the world they are some sexy vixen or not (and many are trying to convince the world of that very thing at the time!), is a humble and God-given opportunity for me to interact with these girls, and NOT to judge them, but to help guide/suggest them towards projecting more dignity, self value and morals. By asking them what they want their images to say-and opening that window of conversation. If nothing else, it may kick-start a thought process for them.  My goal with every pre-shoot consultation, and shoot itself, is to help the subject really think about their true passions (gifts), what REALLY matters to them in life, and to encourage them to express THOSE things, in their images. Not who the world wants them to be, but who they truly are. What they want, in themselves. The images don’t always project IMMEDIATE SUCCESS in helping them ‘get it’. As with anyone, who has any kind of personal growth road ahead of them, the real work starts on the inside, and most always only after God has put many trails and tribulations in their path of life, to help them grow. Many of you would pass out, if you knew what I looked like, how I dressed, and the assumptions people made about me, based on how I looked. But they didn’t know me INSIDE, and I was really working through it all in there. It showed in the things I did in my life….not how I looked. I was SO misunderstood. And it eventually showed on the outside. (Although I probably still show an ‘edge’).  The same, we can pray, holds true for many of these young girls today. Eventually when they gain their inner strength enough, it will begin to reflect through their outside.  I always pray before meeting with my young clients, and their mothers, that God helps guide me, speak through me, in my few moments of opportunity, with each girl that comes to me. Sometimes, in the end, I believe God very intentionally sent them to me. My personal challenge is to remember, I cannot change some of these troubled girls, in the short time I have with them. I have NO power of my own, anyway. I can only be a catalyst, to hopefully plant a seed, and only through the grace and works of God. I can only pray for God’s continued work in them, and their eventual open hearts to hear Him, that they will follow their calling to reflect on the outside, and the inside, ALL of what their Creator made them, to be.  Meanwhile, I have to have faith, and to send them the message that they are loved and a valuable child of God, a gift of life, right where they are TODAY, in their journey.
 
    Sorry so long - but this is a big part of my life’s work, and not everyone understands the complicated process in which I go about it.  But I only have one Supervisor I need to listen to. It’s a passion of my own, because I know it is one of many things, God calls me to do. It’s not always HOW one ends up at the feet of Christ, but that they did end up getting there, that matters.  That’s all I want for everyone.

Laura - thanks for sharing your passion on this topic - I wished we lived closer to one another so that I could come to you for my photography needs.  Even though I don’t have teenage daughters, I so appreciate your thoughts on this topic.  The girls who interact with you are so fortunate - even if they don’t appreciate it, I know your words and prayers will touch them.  Thanks so much for commenting with such zeal - I’m blessed and edified today by your words!

Hi Laura, this is Rebecca, one of the founding core team members and head videographer for Decent Exposure.

This is our first program or “class” of girls, however we have already gotten requests to come to other parishes in California and hope to take our program to a national level.  We are a traveling team and can adapt the program to any parish/event.  If you really are interested in having us come to your hometown, please do not hesitate contact me.

Hi Rebecca—Thank you for letting me know that! We are in MA.  I am going to speak with the staff at my parish, at least, and see if they would be interested in holding such a presentation for the youth.  Meanwhile, I have been brainstorming to think of what other ways I can go about ‘spreading the word’ about your wonderful program.  I think it’s FANTASTIC!  Keep up the good work! 

Lisa—Thank you so much, for your support. : )

Thank you for promoting this great program for girls. Having 4 boys of my own (20 to 12 years old), I have always been concerned about the way girls dress nowadays. I find myself thinking “how can I protect my boys from looking” when males are so visual and the temptations are everywhere. I do thank God that the girls my sons are around, are good girls from good Christian homes (some evangelical), whose parents are trying to raise them to be modest. I have also been very opened to express (in a nice but firm way) my concerns to stores when I found their ads offensive. Couple years ago we had gone to San Antonio, TX to the River walk and to see a movie at the IMAX theater, as we took the electric stairs the thing that got our attention was this HUGE Victoria’s Secret ad. You can just imagine that it was not modest at all, as a matter of fact it was too revealing.My husband and I told the kids to look away and asked them to given their backs to the ad as we went up the stairs. Once on top, I excused myself and went inside the store to talk to the manager. She said that she will pass my concern to the general manager. I know that it might not have made a difference at all, the ad was probably not remove, but it certainly made a difference to me and my family. On another vacation, we went to a very popular water park in the area. Again I was concerned about girls swimming suits, but just prayed for protection over my sons that they will be so into the different rides, that they will not notice the bikinis. On one of the rides, I noticed these two beautiful girls wearing a one piece outfit. Then I saw more of their friends, all wearing one piece swimming suits. I remember telling my husband that they had to be from a church youth group. Well, they were! I just could not keep my mouth shut. I actually went up to couple of them and told them how pretty they all looked, and how nice it was to see them wearing such nice, attractive and modest swimming suits. The smiles they gave were priceless!!! I then realize how much our young women need good affirmation to let them know how special they are.
We all can influence the girls and young women around us, by positive and friendly affirmations. One final note, since we do have a pool at home and we live in Corpus Christi, TX were the weather is nice to use it a lot, I do have a family policy for any pool parties at my house. I send an invitation in advance with a friendly reminder to wear a modest suit and if a two piece suit is worn, it has to have a T-shirt on top. This has been a great help.