The project all started when Scout’s grandma, her Nonnie, was diagnosed with breast cancer. We were looking for a way to keep our minds busy during a really hard time.

When Nonnie’s hair started to fall out, Scout got very concerned and I wanted to put both of our minds at ease. I needed to teach her and remind myself that women are fighters! We chose famous & fierce women to teach her about the strength that women have.

We had put together a list of people to shoot and I taught Scout a little bit about each person. We then chose the photo we wanted to replicate together. We worked on the project for a little under a year - throughout the diagnosis, treatment, and mastectomy surgery.

Nonnie was diagnosed with breast cancer in April of 2016 and she had 6 rounds of intense chemo from June to September that year. After she had finally regained some strength, there was another bump in the road… a double mastectomy.

Scout was learning first hand just how amazing and strong women can be. So we just kept shooting. We planned that at the end of it all, we’d make a picture book for both Scout and Nonnie. We made sure to pick a few of Nonnie’s favorites as well, like Ellen. And Scout has a list of her Disney heroes we’re shooting as well!

The entire project was such a godsend for Scout and myself. And showing my mom the end result- priceless. Every single minute I spent planning, styling, shooting, and editing was 100% worth it.

This project has probably taught me just as much or more than it taught my daughter. I truly want Scout to be able to look back at this and know that women are just as strong as any man. And to be quite honest, my fingers are crossed that by the time she’s old enough to understand the strength she’s portraying- women won’t be seen as delicate and dainty anymore, anyway. And I hope that when Scout looks back on this, she is proud of who she is and who she will become.

Although Scout has emulated so many amazing people, I fiercely encourage her to become exactly the person she wants to be. No matter what, I think she’s amazing.

Oh and Nonnie? She is cancer free! So of course.. she had to get in on the photos, too! She is such an inspiration and we are so lucky to have her in our lives! You’re our hero!

More info: Instagram