An afternoon of sharing and inspiration to live your dreams with powerhouse CEOs, TV Personalities, entrepreneurs & motivational speakers, Vikki Ziegler & Allyson Spellman. Special guest moderator Heidi Voight from NBC CT. Hosted by Christine Petit at Le Petit Studio, Plainville, CT and benefiting The Petit Family Foundation.

Many women don't show up in their family photo albums, because as the historians, commonly they are behind the camera.

We challenge you to participate in the growing movement to #ExistInPhotos, for you, for your family and for future generations!

Contact Christine@PetitPics.com for your portrait session.

*Beach photos by Island Photography, behind the scenes photos by Adriana La Joie Photography, final image by Sharon Cooke.

I have been looking lately to incorporate a greater life purpose in my work. The thinking I have done about why I am where I am, how I got here and what I can do to help others in a similar situation grew into this program. I would like to photograph women as they are, and then transform them with a beauty makeover (hair and makeup) and photograph them again after their physical transformation.

The thought is that most women need this attention, but especially women who have come through cancer, are survivors of abuse, lost loved ones, or battled self-image or other issues. Secondly, women also need to see themselves the way that the rest of the world sees them. We need our self image to catch up with who we are now, not the version of ourselves from 15 years ago that we still see in our heads!

The photos are a physical representation, but the words, the interview, the story...that's the meat of it. I want to get answers, learn what it is that helps us get through hard times. Is it a support system, are some people just wired differently and why can some people just seem to handle adversity and stay positive? I've seen people pull themselves out and I've seen people go down with the ship. I know there is something we can all learn from those that stay afloat, and I am hoping to find some of what that is and share it here.

In preparation for this project, I recently stepped in front of the camera, and Sharon Cooke was there to take my portrait. If I am going to ask people to share their most painful moments and to be honest about what got them through, then I feel I need to go through the same experience, so I am sensitive to what I'm asking others to do. That will be an upcoming post.

It's scary. I know I am very nervous about opening up about my past. Many of us are afraid of two things: being alone, and being judged. This blog will hopefully help us realize that we are not alone in our experiences, and that the heaviest judgement is often coming from within.

I urge you to nominate anyone you think is a leader in self-transformation. You can send an email to me: Christine@PetitPics.com if you would like to suggest someone, want to know more, wish to donate or even participate yourself!

Thank you for joining the conversation, I hope you stay with us!

Christine

Christine PetitChristine Petit, owner of Le Petit Studio models for her "Transformations: Women of Strength" program

In the past weeks, I have begun a program that focuses on transformation; photographing women before and after full beauty makeovers, and talking to them about the things they have overcome and how they did it. It's the driving idea behind this blog and program, "Transformations: Women of Strength."

I have remodeled what used to be a "Petit's General Store," owned by my husband's father, into an inviting photography studio with many unique areas and sets, including a hair and makeup area. As we have both, the studio and I, undergone major transformations ourselves, I thought it fitting to introduce ourselves before we begin to hilight our participants.

Before and After 1 Le Petit StudioBefore and after renovations at Le Petit Studio

The space we are in now was my father-in-law's general store for decades. After he left the space eight years ago, there were a few different businesses year to year. So when I came in, the 1,500 sq.ft. space had a varied "decor." When I first saw the space, well...let's just say one needed vision. It had potential...the original tin ceilings alone were awesome.

Here's a few from the first week I was here, as you will see, it was quite...patriotic, let's say? ;)

It was all one, large space. Tough challenge for what was to become an inviting, intimate studio! Le Petit Studio pre-renovation"Before" photos of Le Petit Studio.

Le Petit Studio pre-renovationPhotos of Le Petit Studio space before renovations.

I started the changes with the red walls...they quickly became gray. We hung the backdrops, and with a little help from my about to be two-year-old son, of course everything took longer, what with dance party breaks and playtime.

But the biggest change came from getting rid of the blue industrial carpet. It was a tough decision to make whether to try and redo the original late-1800s wooden flooring or not, but I decided to lay laminate over the rug. It came out great! What a difference it made!

After the floors went in, the whole feel shifted. It was finally looking clean, modern, bright and more feminine.

I wanted to break up the room somewhat, and building a gallery wall was one of the best things we did for the space. It allowed for more art hanging space, as well as some privacy and division in the studio. And the LED-lighting in the four new 5' long chandeliers was just the right jewelry to pretty it up and take advantage of the two-story ceiling height.

I found this amazing fireplace surround at local antique shop...and once we secured that to the wall..it's been so fun to decorate! It really adds something to family photos.

Le Petit Studio fireplace surroundAntique-store find that I took back and hung in the studio!

It looked great for Halloween, and Christmas looks awesome, too!

I can't say enough about the difference in here, I just love the changes! It's calm and comfortable. It really lends itself to the type of work we do here...with women and children, family groupings...it's relaxed and new. Can't wait to share more as we go!

I had collected old white frames from local shops and on Etsy for some time, and it's great to have them up on the walls.

I will have other posts about DIY projects and other transformations in the coming weeks in addition to posts about our women of transformation. Please check back regularly and join us on our journey of transformation.

Here is a shot from our recent ribbon cutting and opening of the studio!