Unconventional Beauty: A Celebration of Strength, Diversity, and Self-Love

Dawn Gilmore
Oct 5, 2023
3 min read

Updated: May 20

Unveiled October 5, 2023 — Gulf Coast, Mississippi

What happens when you strip away society’s rigid definitions of beauty? When you step outside the narrow lens of mainstream standards and choose to see people for the powerful, radiant, resilient beings they truly are?

As a women's portrait photographer based in Biloxi, I wanted this series to highlight the diversity and strength of women across the Gulf Coast.

What Is Unconventional Beauty?

I had the honor of unveiling a portrait series that has forever changed the way I see beauty—and I hope it changes the way others do, too. Unconventional Beauty was more than a photo series. It was a love letter to every woman who has ever felt unseen, misunderstood, or told that she didn't fit the mold.

This wasn’t about perfection. It was about presence.

Over the course of this project, I photographed a remarkable group of local Mississippi Gulf Coast women—each with a unique story, a striking presence, and a beauty that cannot be boxed in.

The Women Behind the Portraits

There was a radiant young woman living with vitiligo, a visible reminder that our skin tells a story far deeper than pigment. A loving lesbian couple whose connection spoke louder than any societal expectation. A stunning transgender woman, standing tall in her truth. A fierce plus-size woman who radiated confidence with every curve. A breast cancer survivor who had undergone a double mastectomy and bravely chose to forgo reconstruction—her body a testament to survival and strength.

I photographed a woman breaking barriers in a male-dominated field. A little person whose presence filled the room with power and poise. A dynamic African American entrepreneur reshaping her community with her voice and vision. And a woman with alopecia who wore her baldness with bold grace, redefining femininity on her own terms.

These women did not need to be retouched or reshaped. They didn’t need to conform to societal ideals. They simply needed to be seen—as they are, where they are, in all their raw and radiant glory.

Representation and Visibility in Mississippi Portraiture

At the end of their session, each participant received a professionally matted portrait. But more importantly, they left with something no camera can fully capture: a renewed sense of pride, visibility, and empowerment.

Because beauty is not one-size-fits-all.

This series was about honoring the kind of beauty that doesn’t always get magazine covers or billboard ads—but absolutely should. It was about making space for real women, diverse stories, and lived experiences.

To every woman who stepped in front of my lens: thank you for your courage, your trust, and your truth. You are redefining what beauty means—and the world is better for it.

The Reveal at Boho Biloxi Social House

On a warm fall evening, we gathered at Boho Biloxi Social House for the official unveiling of the Unconventional Beauty series. The outdoor space provided by owner Sommer Canon offered the perfect mix of charm and intimacy as each portrait was revealed to applause, tears, and celebration.

It was more than just an art reveal—it was a moment of reflection, connection, and empowerment. I’m incredibly grateful to Sommer and the Boho Biloxi team for supporting this vision and offering such a beautiful venue for these powerful women to be seen and celebrated.

Here are a few snapshots from that special evening:

How to Book Your Own Empowerment Portrait Session in Biloxi

Ready to celebrate your own version of beauty? Let’s create something powerful together — sessions available now in Biloxi and the surrounding Gulf Coast.

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