A DOCUMENTARY FILM & FINE ART PHOTO EXHIBIT
CASTING FOR THE PROJECT IS LIVE!
THIS IS AN EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE FOR OKLAHOMA YOUTH. AT AN AGE WHERE THEY SOMETIMES FEEL UNHEARD, WHEN SO MUCH IS CHANGING, WHEN THEY ARE NO LONGER JUST KIDS BUT NOT QUITE YOUNG ADULTS, BUT SOMEWHERE "IN | BETWEEN"- THEY DESERVE TO BE SEEN & AND HEARD, TO TELL THEIR STORIES AND EXPRESS THEMSELVES!
THE
BE|TWEEN
PROJECT
The "tween" phase is an age of becoming, of transformation! This project is the right-of-passage that is missing in our culture today. This is a chance for our youth to share their hobbies, their talents, and their passions, but also their struggles and triumphs. Through the process of creating an image that expresses everything they are and everything they are going through, the experience of being photographed, of being seen-This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will transform them, change the way they see themselves, solidify their identity and give them new confidence. The In|Between project does something incredible for the youth who are featured, but it also shapes the way the world sees them, creating a new narrative about this age group, and giving an authentic voice through representation in a documentary film and photo exhibit.
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THE "BE|TWEEN" PROJECT IS LIVE AND WE ARE NOW BOOKING!
This is your moment. I'm featuring a limited number of local youth between the ages of nine and sixteen to be featured in a fine art photo exhibit and documentary film. I want to capture all that is unique about your child and empower them to embrace who they are and show off their personal style. Whether it be an ESPN-worthy shot of them representing the sport they dominate in, a composite image of them showcasing their own artwork, a photoshoot portraying them as their favorite music artist, or an abstract representation of something inside them they want to express-There is no limit to what we can create together.
These are world-class images worthy of hanging in an exhibit, worthy of the big screen. I want your child to tell their story, and walk the red carpet. This is an opportunity for them to see themselves through my lens, a true expression of how amazing they are, and I cannot wait to photograph them in this way.
WHAT DOES THE "BE|TWEEN" EXPERIENCE INCLUDE?
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DESIGN CONSULTATION: Let's talk about your child. Are we highlighting their hobby, recreating an album cover, reimagining an iconic piece of art? We will create a custom shoot concept with wardrobe, hair, makeup, and location.
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PROFESSIONAL HAIR AND MAKEUP: Professional hair and makeup will be provided at your shoot to ensure that your child looks flawless and that the theme is executed perfectly.
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BESPOKE PHOTO SHOOT with international award-winning photographer Nicole Barton on-location or in her Tulsa studio or in OKC.
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YOUR ARTWORK: One digital file and an 11x14 fine art metal print of your child's exhibit image.
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RED CARPET SCREENING: You'll receive two tickets to this exclusive event where your child's image will be proudly displayed and the film will be screened.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Everything included above is valued at over $1500, but the cost of the "Be|Tween" promotional package is just $800, and financing is available.
Two weeks after your photo session, you'll get to review your images and select your very favorite image to own as a fine art metal print. This image will also be exhibited in the gallery, on the website, and you'll get a digital version for social sharing.
Should you decide that you'd like to order additional images from your child's shoot, $300 from this fee will be applied to a collection of your choice!
A variety of packages are available, and they include things like digital galleries, luxury photo albums, fine wall art, and more, and they are all eligible for financing options.
WHY SHOULD MY
CHILD DO THIS?
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CAPTURE THIS PHASE OF THEIR LIFE
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INSPIRE OTHER YOUTH
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CELEBRATE THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS
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MEET OTHER INCREDIBLE YOUTH
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HAVE A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE
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GAIN SELF-CONFIDENCE
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SHOW OFF STUNNING IMAGES TO THE WORLD AND CREATE AN INCREDIBLE MEMORY
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PROMOTE THEIR CAUSES
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TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE CULTURE
MEET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
Nicole Barton is a mother-of-three (including a "tween" daughter) who has been shooting professionally for fifteen years. Over the course of her career, she's earned Bronze and Silver in the Portrait Masters Competition and placed in international competitions. She is the creator of Crowned In Silver Magazine and the "She Is Tulsa" photo anthology exhibit and short film hosted by the Circle Cinema, which is now also Tulsa's first women's magazine. Her work has been published in Forbes, and Ebony Magazine, amongst others. Empowering people of all sizes, shapes, shades, and ages through representation in gorgeous images has been her mission for over a decade. It is the bond she builds with the people she meets that drives her passion, as well as watching them transform through the experience of seeing themselves in a new way.
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WHY TWEENS? WHY THIS? WHY NOW?
"I am a mother to three daughters, and one of them is on the cusp of becoming a teenager-She falls right into this 'tween' category. I've always tried to be the kind of mom who pours into my children, encourages them to pursue their interests, and allows them to express themselves.
One of the ways I do this is by photographing them while giving them creative control, solidifying their identity, creating images that exist as a tangible representation of who they are and what matters to them; I photograph them often.
Over the years that I have been shooting professionally, I have noticed a huge drop in portraits of kids in the age range of about nine through sixteen. They aren't quite little kids anymore, but they aren't in that young adult stage quite yet; The childhood milestones have passed but it's not yet time for senior portraits. They can become somewhat invisible during this time. I have also noticed that while other cultures across history have offered ceremonies, or titles, or other right-of-passage experiences for kids during this time of transition, we don't really have anything like that. I thought that a project like this would be an incredible way to create that for our youth; A turning point, a process, an image that announces to the world that they are no longer children, that fortifies them as they navigate this journey to adulthood. Giving them a visual representation of how awesome they are, that they can look upon as a reminder, as a confidence-booster, giving them this memory-I just think it's a life-changing experience for kids this age.
I have also tried to stay informed about all the ways that our kids' world is different from how ours was at their age, to be aware of the unique challenges that this generation faces so that we can be equipped to help them. I know that this generation has to deal with the pressure of social media, with unrealistic standards in the media and on the internet. These kids are facing some really tough external pressures at a time when there are already so many big things going on internally. We've seen a terrifying increase in mental health struggles with kids this age, including an increase in suicide for kids this young, which is just astounding to me. I don't think we should shy away from these discussions. I want to create something that talks about it all: What these kids are facing, how they are overcoming, what they are celebrating, and what makes them unique too! This age group is talked ABOUT a lot but I wanted to give them an opportunity to speak for themselves, to control the narrative, and maybe change the way we adults perceive this age group. We can tend to talk about 'tweens' in a negative way, to be judgemental or label them 'difficult,' and I think a collection of images and a film that they have had a say in, that represents them authentically, can cause a shift in the attitude that we adults bring to the table also."
-Nicole Barton
APPLY FOR THE "IN|BETWEEN" PROJECT BELOW
BY FILLING OUT JUST A FEW QUESTIONS:
(MINORS MUST HAVE A GUARDIAN APPLY)
NOW IS YOUR TIME TO SHINE
