TORONTO – Photographer Laurie Goodman her Life Messages project in April for any woman who crossed her path and wanted to share their story.
“I wanted to give women a safe and inclusive space to come and share their voice,” said Goodman. “We look for inspiration in so many places, and we look at quotes online and on billboards. But really, I feel that we have it within ourselves to share our experiences and it can empower us.”
Jill Carlyle was born with scoliosis and has undergone numerous surgeries throughout her life was surprised by the effect the project had on her.
“I didn’t think that the messaging and the photo session was going to have the power that it did,” said Carlyle. “I knew that my message could be surrounding embracing my scar and having other people embrace their scars, because it is part of their story.”
Goodman sits down with session with each woman that includes writing and sharing personal quotes from life experiences in hopes of inspiring everyone who reads them.
Through Life Messages, Nicole Horn shared that “a smile is like a boomerang (and it’s shaped like a boomerang too). It will be returned.”
“It’s something I always say to my kids. If you smile at somebody on the street, they are more than likely to smile back at you,” said Horn. “It’s a small gesture, but it means a lot to people.”
In five short months, Life Messages has exploded in social media, giving people the opportunity to share their voice and be heard.
“People are calling it a movement. Every day they want to see what the next Life Message is,” said Goodman. “They tell me it helps them get through the day.”
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