#ILookLikeAnEngineer

In September, I received a call to photograph Isis Wenger, an engineer, speaker, advocate of equal rights, and creator of the #Ilooklikeanengineer hashtag. Isis was thrust into the spotlight after the company she works for, OneLogin, ran a recruitment campaign with her image featured in the ad. The backlash and judgment based on her looks and gender were surprising and upsetting. Like any intelligent, strong woman, she took to the internet with a post on Medium to address what was unfolding. She now travels the country, speaking on gender bias and sexism in tech.

It started with a call from a liaison for Wenger saying she had heard about my work with women and witnessed my ability to share who a woman is at a deeper level through photographs. We spoke about gender bias, the misrepresentation of women, and our mutual passion for rewriting how women are seen. We booked the session right there and then. It was a perfect fit!

When you meet Isis and hear her speak, you are struck by the knowledge that this woman is going to do huge things in her life. She is a force!

As with all of my clients, my focus and intention were to show her the truth about who she is. This was especially important since she was already judged so harshly for just that.

The difference now? She was part of the conversation, choosing what she would put forth in the image. Choosing how she would represent and present herself.

Her three words, which I ask all my clients to share regarding how they want to be seen, were…

“Knowledgeable, Strong, Confident”

She is also kind and playful.

As women, it is up to us to rewrite how we are seen. To rebuke stereotypes, biases, and judgments. To fully embrace being a woman, without any apologies. I take great pride in playing a small part in this journey with my female clients.

I am passionate about supporting and inspiring women to reveal and be seen for the truth of who they are and what they offer the world. I fiercely believe women will change the world.