How to participate
WHAT: The Classic Beauty Project (dress up in 1930s-'40s glam)
WHERE: Muskopf Photography, 2196 Red Rock Drive, Beavercreek
WHEN: Ongoing
INFO: 937-760-7969 orwww.classicbeautyproject.com
Would you go back in time to feel better about yourself?
This part dress-up, part psychological experiment is called The Classic Beauty Project. Since 2014, more than 200 women have said “yes” to Todd Muskopf’s ongoing photo concept. His studio in Beavercreek is filled with about 350 dresses, plus hats, furs and jewelry that epitomize early Hollywood glamour.
Emily Tippie of Washington Twp. was struggling with self-esteem issues, and spied an ad on Facebook asking confident women to participate in this retro-styled project. Her inner voice tried to talk her out of it.
“I’m not brave. I’m not confident. I’m not strong. But I’m good at projecting these things when I have to,” stated Tippie, who ultimately decided to overcome her fears and went to Muskopf’s studio this past Dec. 11. “Miracles happen. From somewhere inside me, this person I didn’t know appeared. She is sexy, voluptuous, sultry, sweet and lovable. So am I.”
A transformation happens. Becoming someone else for a short time leads these women to their true inner selves.
“This photography concept has just blown up. I was just featured in an interview by an Australian Photography program. (The podcast) is getting some buzz nationally and internationally among the photography community,” said Muskopf.
The director of that program had discovered Muskopf's project online. You can access the podcast at photobiz.com. In the podcast, he describes how he transformed his initial retro-glamour idea into a viable business stream. His participants come from all walks of life: nurses, lawyers, business owners, factory workers, housewives and bartenders. They arrive in various forms, sizes 0 to 20, and various ages, 21 to 60.
“They have a diverse range of personal reasons: establishing independence after a divorce or ending an abusive relationship, losing tons of weight, completing a degree program, or just because they’ve finally ‘found themselves’ and are happy with where they are in life,” said Muskopf. “I’ve had many women come in shaking and nervous at the beginning of the session, and leave skipping and singing!”
Muskopf has structured the project so participants receive a free photo session with no obligation to purchase. But if they do, they receive a discount on his normal fees. You can view many of their testimonies posted on his timeline at facebook.com/ClassicBeautyProject.
“The twist on all this is, I thought I would just be making pretty pictures. But it’s turned into a project where it’s marking a turning point in a woman’s life,” said Muskopf. “I had a woman this morning who was going through a divorce. Everyone thought they were a perfect couple, and were shocked when they found out they were divorcing. She was in tears looking at her photos.”
Muskopf indicated he would like to see this project evolve into a curated art exhibit, or maybe even a book pairing the women’s images with their stories.
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