Lisa Batton
Lisa Batton, a participant in the 40 over 40 Women's Empowerment Campaign, arrived with a clear mission: to capture images depicting her in prayer and warrior mode for her children.
Born and raised in the hills of Kentucky and currently residing in Parkersburg, WV, Lisa's journey has been marked by various challenges and triumphs. From experiencing homelessness, to navigating single motherhood and raising her granddaughter, she now stands as a proud Christian of 30 years. Lisa is grateful for her job, which not only blesses her financially but also provides her with a sense of fulfillment and stability.
During the photoshoot, I was confronted with the challenge of putting into words the profound message behind Lisa's desire to document her prayerful and warrior aspects. The experience was one of deep emotion and an unmistakable display of unwavering faith and love.
One of the most striking images captured Lisa with her weathered Bible, its pages worn from countless hours of reading and prayer. The presence of a sword in the photographs symbolized her fierce maternal love for her children and her unyielding stance in Christ as their protector and champion.
This series was directly inspired by the song "Mama" by Kim Walker-Smith, encapsulating the powerful connection between a mother's love and spiritual strength.
It was an emotional day capturing a series of portraits that will comfort Lisa and give her strength when needed. This campaign is more than just beautiful portraits. It’s about capturing you and how you want to be seen. Yes, it’s crazy fun, empowering and beautiful, but ultimately it’s capturing your soul through your eyes so that you can say, “that’s me!”.
Take a moment to reflect on your own message - that defining principle you advocate for, fight for, and live for. It is an introspective journey that ultimately shapes how you are seen and perceived by yourself and others.
If you’d like to participate in the campaign, visit us at https://www.beckynichols.com/empowered-womens-40over40campaign