Glamour Shots

“Photography, as a powerful medium of expression and communications, offers an infinite variety of perception, interpretation and execution.” –Ansel Adams

Troy Davidson, a substance abuse counselor, might have missed his true calling as a fashion photographer.  Troy works at an education and job training center that serves 16-24 year olds.  Hundreds of young people come to the center in Glide, Oregon each year to earn their high school diploma and learn a trade.  Many of the students come from rough, drug-infested neighborhoods. During their first week on campus, the new students receive physical exams and take drug tests.  The ones who don’t fair well on their drug tests find themselves in Troy’s office with 45-days to clean up.  Luckily, they have someone like Troy to help them along the way.

Troy is not one to stay put in his office. A few years ago, he began walking around campus with a cheap disposable camera, snapping shots of students, staff, and whatever else caught his attention.  He was the resident photographer.  A colleague decided it was time for Troy to get a technology upgrade and bought him a digital camera.  After that, the glamour shots started to evolve.

Troy went to a thrift shop and spent a little bit of money on professional attire.  Then, after his students tested negative for drugs, they would pick out clothes, girls would do their hair and makeup, and they would be transformed into models for the afternoon.  Over the last couple of years, this program has taken on a life of its own.  Troy now has more fashionable business clothes than can fit in his closet and a roster of success stories.  Some students who are not involved in the center’s assistance program for drug users come to photo shoots to see if they can get their pictures taken, too.  Counselors, nurses, and other members of the health staff show up as style consultants.  Troy calls this Photo Therapy and stresses its cathartic nature.

Troy doesn’t take “before” pictures of his students, although he raves about how they look totally different.  He wants to send out the message: This is where we are now and where we will be from here on out.  There is no looking back.  Looking at these pictures, you can’t help but notice what an attractive group of young people attend this program.  The glamour shots seem to not only capture their external good looks, but somehow show their vibrant spirits, inner beauty, and new found self worth.

Troy has had numerous opportunities to make big differences in students’ lives.  One student, Mike C., came in with a bad case of meth mouth.  After he completed the counseling program, it was time for his glamour shot.  He couldn’t bring himself to smile in his pictures, since his teeth were in such bad shape.  Troy took him to the center dentist, Dr. Lasbe.  Dr. Lasbe came up with a game plan to restore Mike’s smile.  Several extractions and procedures later, Mike C. came back for another photo session - this time showing his pearly whites. 

Troy and his colleagues use glamour shots to communicate with young people without saying a word. The young people see that they look different without the influence of drugs.  They have a new smile.  They feel different inside.  They get an emotional high from seeing the images.  It gives them self esteem. Troy says, “This all combines for a SPIRITUAL experience, especially when they look at pictures of themselves before and after...or when I ask, ‘Can you believe the changes that you've made with your life since this time a year ago?’” 

These photos also teach the young people how to be part of a team.  They work together to help with lights, camera, make-up, and poses. After the pictures are completed, they come together to support and cheer for each other.  Almost all walk away with two messages.  First, they learn that no matter who you are, you can help someone else through tough times.  Second, they see that beauty has less to do with the image on the screen or in the photo.  It’s the feeling in their hearts when they are validated that they are beautiful inside because they are now clean and sober.

Ms. Luht completed her MPH in 2005 at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.  She is a Certified Health Education Specialist with a background in exercise, nutrition, and health communication.