Way back in 2013 I’d summoned the courage to embark on something that felt ‘scary’ to me, only because of how meaningful I knew it was to me and hoped it could be to others → Bella Forza Portraits (Italian for: beautiful strength).
My primary portrait business, Bella Faccia Photography, was already singularly focused on empowering women and I dreamt of developing a division that would be directly engaged in buoying women who were facing, or who had faced, serious illness. (…from a seed planted years prior when we were preparing my mom’s obituary 🤍)
I sent out a request on my personal socials to ask for nominations for the launch of Bella Forza… the plan was to find three women who would be willing to both sit for a portrait and allow me to share their story… each would be gifted hair + makeup (thank you Sarah Byrne ❤️), a portrait session, and a framed 8x12 portrait, with my gratitude. I knew then, as I do now, that there is power and resonance when we share our experiences - so often people feel their hurdles are theirs alone but when they are offered community it grants them camaraderie, clarity, solace, and hope. I’m consistently amazed by the women I know and meet: their grit and humour, their strength, their ability to persevere - and I will always want to lift their voices.
Enter: Gwyn. 🤩 She’d been diagnosed with an invasive cancer months before and was nominated by the owner of a local boutique that specializes in supporting women facing Cancer.
Our first meeting was in May 2013, when she arrived directly from a radiation treatment for her shoot… and a friendship was born. You can read more of the story in this blog post (at that time - because of her work - I chose to give her the pseudonym of Grace.)
Bella Forza’s 2013 Facebook banner featuring beautiful Gwyn: Strength.Beauty.Grace.
I took this shot thinking it was a good #bts and, all these years later, it remains one of my faves. #moviestar
“The power of story is to heal and to sustain. And if we are brave enough to tell our own story, we realize we’re not alone, again and again.”
We’ve kept in touch through the years and I was thrilled when she reached out in 2021 to ask if I’d help with a headshot for a new book she was co-authoring. We spent time together in studio before toasting with a flute of prosecco in celebration of - well - EVERYTHING!
A year+ ago Gwyn confronted a new health hurdle: a stroke, believed to have been caused by sleep apnea. She spent months recovering and is doing amazing! 🙏🏼
As is so often the case in life, this experience has propelled her into a new journey + chapter… after years spent in policing and threat assessment, she is now working with a prestigious group of doctors who are dedicated to the research and education surrounding strokes + women.
Last week we celebrated again… a milestone birthday, her recovery, her joie de vivre, her upcoming speaking engagements, and our connection. I am so honoured to know her and continually in awe of allllll the ‘lemonade’ she’s made thus far. 😉
Keep at it, G., our world is so much better because of you! ❤️
Love + gratitude, xoxo
Lori
PS Gwyn is also a super skilled artist - her needle felting creations can be found in Kensington and she also offers commissioned painted pup portraits! (holler if you want to know more and I’ll connect you!)
* Acknowledgements for the Bella Forza launch: Cori nominated her aunt Jackie and Sam nominated her community member Sharon ✨ These three women who said YES to my invitation included: one in treatment, one who was facing the end, and another who was ‘5 years cancer free’… they were - and continue to be - the perfect ambassadors for all I envisioned in my quest to buoy and celebrate women in all stages, providing witness for our collective.
Note: Bella Faccia and Bella Forza were amalgamated in 2018; both initiatives continue to be honoured under the new company name: Lori Maloney Photography.