When my daughter was born 2 and a half years ago I knew she would have Down Syndrome.  I knew there was an extra little chromosome coming along with my fresh bundle of joy, but I had no idea that she was a girl.  My husband and I made the decision that this last baby would be a surprise like all the rest were.  So that day on December 30th, 2009 came and my Doctor held her up and said, “Well Katie, it looks like you have your Daughter!”.  I was shocked to say the least.  I was just as sure as the day is long that she would be my 6th and final boy.

 

Needless to say there was a pink celebration…..there were flowers and hats.  I really do not think there was a day that went by in her first 12 months of life that she did not have a sweet little pink hat on her head.  Although the fear, sadness and concern for her future were there….I considered myself lucky because I had a daughter.

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Family time: Spending time with kids at the park during the summer

In her first 2 years we took trips to the American Girl store and etsy sellers knew us on a first name basis.  I loved and still do love, braiding her hair and dressing her up.  I know my days are limited being the Mom of 5 boys.  My sweet little girlie girl will soon turn against the pink polka dots that I love and ask for one of her brothers baseball jerseys.  Until then I enjoy it!

Family time: Spending time with kids at the park during the summer

During those years the camera was never put away….my Dad bought me my first DSLR shortly after Graces birth and it opened a new world of photography.  The camera went every where we went.  I wanted every moment captured because I knew this was it.  This was the last baby and I wanted to remember.

Down Syndrome: My beautiful Daughter

I decided in early January 2012 that I would branch my photography into a buisiness called 5 boys + 1 girl = 6 and it has been such a blessing.  I have made lasting relationships with independent designers, etsy shop owners and beautiful families.  Grace has been involved in more they 40 advertising campaigns.  I was over whelmed with the open arm responses I received from these awesome individuals.  I love to photograph my daughter and I love pretty things so hand and hand it was a win-win all the way around.

Etsy Modeling: My daughter representing an etsy product

Etsy Modeling: My daughter representing an etsy product

As time went on my friend Steve English of Blossom Boys approached me to photograph his products on not only my daughter but anyone else I could find that had a disability or a special need.  He wanted to honor these individuals with a beautiful facebook advertising campaign.  So from that moment on my photography turned into something bigger, something so much more meaningful, and something very close to my heart.  We decided to call The Blossom Boys advertising, “Changing the Face of Beauty” and over the past 2 months we have been able to photograph 12 gorgeous boys and girls.  Honestly our hearts are bursting with happiness.  It feels so good to do good for other people.

Changing the face of Beauty model

Changing the face of Beauty model

We have decided that we would both like to continue volunteering our time to growing this number of models.  We would love to have 100 models by the end of the year!  In order to do that we need help.

Changing the face of Beauty model

Changing the face of Beauty model

 

We have all read about the big box stores choosing to include individuals with disabilities in their advertising campaigns.  It is exciting to see all people represented in the Sunday newspaper because that is just the way it is supposed to be.  We want to make the same impact on privately owned independent businesses.   Wouldn’t it be great to browse etsy and see all types of children represented?  Wouldn’t you love to walk into your local boutique and see individuals with disabilities on the wall or in their brochure.  We want to help you do that!

Changing the face of Beauty model

Right now I am offering to assist businesses with their facebook or in-store advertising campaigns for no charge, and Steve will donate his time to assist me in the organization of this project.  All it takes is a product, you provide the product for my models and I provide you with pictures and printing rights.  We hope to help support your advertising by creating a facebook page for “Changing the Face of Beauty” as well as posting your business here on this blog.  People want to know who is supporting all walks of people.  I am a Mom with children who happen to have disabilities and I want to shop where I know they are accepted.  Lets work together to do something good…..lets lift people up…..lets accept everyone.

Changing the face of Beauty model

We am sooo excited about this and we hope you are to!  If you know someone who might be interested in advertising please forward this on.  I currently work with people all over the world so click the share button at the top of this post and share!  If you are reading this and want to participate or want to be a model for “Changing the Face of Beauty” contact us (Pictures are taking here in Chicago, IL)…..We want to hear from you!  Katie tkdriscoll2000@yahoo.com or Steve at artistbydesigns@yahoo.com

Changing the face of Beauty model

I am sure you will agree these individuals are BEAUTIFUL!  Inside and out!

Changing the face of Beauty model

CHEERS my friends…..Happy hump day!  Lets make a difference in this great big world of ours!  Lets make a difference for ourselves, for our children and for our children’s, children!