A photography studio is empowering women of all shapes and sizes by helping them transform into bold and beautiful models.
A photography studio is empowering women of all shapes and sizes by helping them transform into bold and beautiful pin-up models.
Shameless Photography, which has studios in San Francisco and New York City, uses vintage fashion to help their clients feel confident in their skin.
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"I grew up feeling ashamed about my body," founder Sophie Spinelle explained to INSIDE EDITION. "I wanted to create a space where people could overcome their shame. It was all about helping people."
So in 2009, she launched Shameless Photography.
"The name says it all," she said. "I want people not to feel shame. I think that people's fears about themselves hold them back."
The studio has now photographed more than 1,000 clients of different sizes, ages and backgrounds. Behind-the-scenes footage shows women laughing as they're dressed up and prepared for the shoot.
"I love seeing their reactions after the makeover," Spinelle said. "We always need to have tissues on hand when people see themselves."
The models - usually women - often come to the studio at moments of transition in their lives, whether it's a lost love or a new job. Through all her years of photographing women, one particularly stands out to Spinelle.
"She was in an emotionally abusive relationship where she was getting a lot of criticism," she recalled. "As she tried on each different outfit, she was becoming different versions of herself. She started laughing and came out of her shell. She later contacted us and said that was literally the first time in her life that she felt beautiful."
That woman later told Spinelle she had the confidence to leave her partner.
The studio's San Francisco photographer, Carey Lynne, said clients are constantly telling them how much the experience has helped. Now she hopes the photos can help other women, too.
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"There are so many images out there of one type of person, one type of body. That's damaging," she told INSIDE EDITION. "I just hope that people will see themselves in these images and realize, 'I could look like that?' It's really powerful to see yourself reflected in the world."
But while many of the clients are proud that their images are being admired by women across the country, others are just happy to have the photos taken for themselves.
"Some people don't want the images to go public," Spinelle said. "Some people like to have that image in a drawer somewhere to look at sometimes and to feel empowered."
Shameless Photography has three photographers but is now looking for one more in New York City. For more information about the studio, visit their website here.
The above footage also includes a shoot with designer Sugandh Agrawal, who creates animal-cruelty-free handbags that can be found here.
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