Chicago, Ill (by Billie Wright) - Josh Beaton is a Chicago-based photographer who noticed his own teenagers losing their self-esteem during the COVID lockdown. He blames social media for the decline in confidence.
During photo shoots, Josh says there's a noticeable difference that takes place during the process.
"I get to meet two different kids. I get to meet the one that comes in. I get to meet the one that leaves."
Josh thought, "As a business, I can't just be giving away free work. But it really weighed on me." He and his wife, Danielle, started the non-profit The Teen Esteem Project.
The sessions start with the application of makeup, something that Josh says many have never had done for them prior. He notices, "That is where the transition starts to happen." Josh calls it 'the real celebrity experience,' capturing beautiful portraits.
"When they see their images, in print, in a way they've never seen before...you get to see the change from the beginning of the photo shoot to the end of the photo shoot." Josh explains that it may sound like he's exaggerating but the transformation the kids go through is drastic. He says most come in to the studio whispering but during the shoot they come out of their shells, "By the end they are just dancing. We have their favorite music playing."
Josh values the work he does, knowing it's allowing teenagers to become more self-assured. "It's a seed that gets planted in these kids and then it just starts to bloom on (its) own."
Hear what parents say about their kids who have gone through the project: