PRINCESS SMALL

For one of the co-founders of the community organization, Beauty is Me, Princess Small is dedicated to encouraging young Black and Biracial children to embrace their natural hair and beauty.

Feeling that there was a need in the Windsor-Essex community to support both parents and their Black and Biracial children in regard to their hair, Small joined Beauty is Me, where she is able to interact directly with Black and Biracial children and see the impact on their confidence when they are told how beautiful their natural hair is.

“Within every culture, hair is linked to beauty. Black hair historically has been considered ugly, unkempt, bad hair, etc.” shares Small.

“Many times, these negativities are expressed to children in their homes, through the media and at schools. This affects their self-esteem and confidence in themselves that leaves them not feeling pretty.”

Using their workshops as a tool to reinforce young girls of their natural beauty and self-image, Small says she understands that how we perceive ourselves is an ongoing process which is guided by both internal and external factors.

“I want to be that positive external factor that helps to change how Black and Biracial children see themselves. I want to be that ray of hope that demonstrates and says that you are perfectly you when every other thing is saying that you need to alter yourself in some way in order to fit in,” Small says. “I want Black and Biracial kids to understand their journeys are theirs and they should feel comfortable in their own person when pursuing whichever route.”

Describing herself as determined, innovative and stubborn, when asked what her advice is to any young girl who is not feeling her most confident, she shares… www.beautyisme.ca

To learn more about Beauty is Me, check out their website below or follow them on their social media platforms!

Facebook:www.facebook.com/beautyisme.ca

Instagram: www.instagram.com/beautyisme.ca

Capturing a moment is important, which is why passionate photographers are essential to capturing those moments. Fashion and Beauty United recently got a chance to sit down and talk to Freelance Photographer Carl Harris from CJHarris Photography to discuss everything from his passion for photography, his creative process and the personal fulfillment he gets when he takes a perfect picture.

Tell us about your love for photography. What made you fall in love with it?

“Honestly, I fell in love with it by accident. I wanted to be an animator, so I was taking graphic design classes in high school, and they happened to have photography as part of the curriculum, and that’s when I first got a hint that I was good at it...so I started to pick it up on the side as a hobby. Then I wanted to be a poet, so I took the Journalism program in college to try and pick up the writing habit, and that course also happened to have the photography program. Through that class, I was able to understand how much I actually loved photography. It gave me a sense of fulfillment that I had never felt before; it felt like something I was meant to be doing and it kind of just snowballed from there.” even though I didn’t know what I wanted to do for the longest time, I knew that whatever I did, I just wanted it to make people smile. Seeing the joy on people’s faces when I shoot with them, either when I show them a preview or get them the final product, brings me the fulfillment I’ve always wanted to have in a career.”

What is your main goal when it comes to digital photography? Do you have an outcome for your clients?

Do you have any short and long-term goals?

“Short-term, I definitely want to put myself and my business out a lot more. I have major self-confidence issues, so I want to work towards getting over them and push myself to show confidence in my abilities and my work. Long-term, I want my business to grow to the point where I am able to rely on it as a career.”

What services do you offer for your photography for anyone looking for a photographer for their event?

I offer photoshoots for just about any situation; I’ll shoot just about anything. Weddings, couples, single portraits, models, cars, maternity, product, real estate, landscape/scenery, just about anything you can think of. I’m just down to learn new photographic styles and love the experience of shooting new things.

You can visit CJHarris Photography on his website

“My goal with digital photography is just to make people happy with the outcome. That’s always been my goal. Ever since I began thinking about what I wanted to do with my life, cjharrisphotography.ca, And you can follow him on Instagram

@cjharrisphotography