CELEBRATING IMPERFECTION at Ooh La Lafayette 2026
View the Full Gallery Here. (Password will be in your inbox!)
I love photo booths for the same reason I love The Lafayette House: both celebrate imperfection. Let me elaborate…
For years I’ve been drawn to the work of the Lafayette House of Joplin, MO as they empower people (mostly women, but men too!) by offering compassionate and empowering services to heal the effects of domestic violence, sexual assault, and substance use disorders. I’ve also been drawn to raw, real portraiture (which I call my AS I AM experience) — the celebration of glorious imperfection that shines a light on shame, brings the REAL to the surface, and ultimately lays the foundation for acceptance and healing.
My photobooth at their annual gala “Ooh La Lafayette” has evolved over the past few years, and this year was my favorite booth yet. Sure, my assistant Morgan was available to take full length photos for them on their own phones (because hello, stunning) but my booth celebrated the connection between the women who attend this event and generously support The Lafayette House each year.
I’ve photographed hundreds of events in my career but this continues to be my favorite. Why? It’s a room full of women celebrating — themselves, each other, and other women who don’t even know how much they can or will be impacted by the life-changing work of The Lafayette House.
I think every woman agrees: none of us has a perfect story. It’s the imperfection that makes it so precious. The reality is, the perfect body or relationship or life simply doesn’t exist. What’s the closest we can get to that ideal, that “perfection?” Well, it’s acceptance: Embracing what IS, rather than focusing on what isn’t.
I’ve photographed hundreds of women over the years. I know how easy it is to see a photo of yourself and focus on what’s “wrong” or imperfect. That’s why I got rid of all of the stiff posing, photoshop, heavy styling, etc. Dress up can be fine and there’s a time and a place for it, but my work shifted when my own life did after a cancer diagnosis in 2022. There’s such a powerful transformation that happens when we decide to celebrate the wholeness of what gloriously IS, rather than constantly moving the goal post by focusing on what we’re not.
Think about it: Someday, if you were to lose your best friend, what photo would you cherish of her? The one where she looks skinny, young, and “perfect?” Or the one where you can hear her laugh?
We each get one life, and it’s precious. The hard times happen. So the celebrations must happen too.
Thank you to every wonderful woman (and a couple chill dudes) who hopped in my Connection Booth at Ooh La Lafayette this weekend. You brought me joy by laughing, letting loose, and hugging and kissing the friends who make life worth living.
If you love the idea of celebrating imperfection, request your own AS I AM session here. I’d love to help you see yourself — all you have to be is willing and I’ll guide you every step of the way.
Keep celebrating the imperfection and shining the way only you can.
Sincerely,
Mitzi Starkweather
@mitzistark_photo
