The Sonoma Body Project
Every shape. Every style. Every age. Sonoma County’s beauty, united.
The Sonoma Body Project: Event Recap
On September 28th, 2025, eight amazing women joined me at the 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa for something that was so much more than a photoshoot. We laughed almost the whole time, we got vulnerable, and we connected in such a real way. Together, we created 63 images that tell a story of strength, softness, and the raw beauty of showing up exactly as you are.
This wasn’t about perfect poses or polished bodies. It was about presence. About saying, “I’m here. This is me.” And because of this night, we also raised $150 for The Common Ground Society™, which means the impact reached even further than just our little group in the theater.
The Sonoma Body Project didn’t just appear out of thin air. Back in high school, I created a self-portrait series called From the Mouths of Others. It was about the words people throw at us—the ones that sting and the ones that lift us up—and how deeply those words can stick. At the time, I thought I was just making art about my own story, but I quickly realized those photos spoke to so many more people. That project planted a seed, and all these years later, The Sonoma Body Project grew from the same place: wanting people to feel seen, heard, and reminded of their worth. I’ll be sharing the original image from that high school project alongside this event’s gallery, because they’re connected. Two parts of the same journey.
What we created together that night is hard to sum up. Eight women showed up, a little nervous but brave. Sixty-three images captured the laughter, the quiet strength, and the beauty of community. And $150 went back into an organization that does so much good right here at home. But honestly, the most powerful parts can’t be measured. It was the way someone’s face softened after being photographed, the way the laughter echoed through that theater, the way we each got to step back into ourselves for just a moment.
This was the first Sonoma Body Project, but it won’t be the last. If you feel that little tug in your chest, that whisper of “maybe this could be for me,” keep an eye out. There will be more opportunities to join in, whether through future group projects or private sessions that hold the same safe, empowering space.
For now, I just want to say thank you. To the women who showed up, to Common Ground Society™ for the work they do, and to everyone who cheered us on from the sidelines. You were part of this too.
— Summer
Hi, I’m Summer!
I own Empowering Studios l Boudoir and I’m putting together a project that is so close to my heart <3 I was born and raised in Sonoma County and have always loved it — until I moved away at 21 (mostly due to a lapse in judgment, lol). Now, I’m coming back with a renewed appreciation for our home. Our community is so diverse and resilient. I’ve witnessed us overcome incredible obstacles, rising like a phoenix from the ashes time and again. We’ve come together through fires, COVID, floods, blackouts, and so much more. This time, I want to unite our community around something beautiful.
I am a boudoir photographer, but this project comes from the very core of why I started my business — to show that every body is beautiful, not just the ones you see in magazines. I’ve struggled with my own body, and I’ve heard plenty of hurtful comments about it, even from family. That pain is real. But I want to take time to honor the beauty we do have — the unique, real beauty that people often overlook or try to convince us isn’t there.
What This Project Is
A group photography session with several women participating, where each person will receive a mix of solo and group images.
Opportunities to connect, share energy, and interact with other participants in a safe, supportive, and empowering environment.
Images selected for publication, galleries, and social media, highlighting Sonoma County’s real and diverse beauty.
A soulful experience designed to help you feel seen, celebrated, and empowered.
So I invite you to come and celebrate your body, every single step of the way!
Event Details
Date & Time: September 28th at 5:30pm
Location: 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa
Ticket: $10, which will be donated to a Common Ground Society, a local Sonoma County non-profit
Who Can Attend: All women 20+; any woman who wants to celebrate themselves and be part of a community project showcasing diverse beauty
Who We Are Looking For
This project is for the women who are often in the background, the ones who quietly hold worlds together, the ones whose stories don’t always get told. It’s for the women in their 20s who are still figuring it all out, navigating life’s chaos while discovering who they are. It’s for the women in their 30s balancing work, family, and the constant push to find even a little time for themselves. It’s for the women in their 40s reclaiming space for themselves as their children grow, who are remembering what it feels like to be their own priority. It’s for the women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s who have spent decades shaping themselves to the world’s expectations and are ready to finally step into the spotlight for themselves.
It’s for the women without kids, the women living full lives, loving their pets, chasing their passions, quietly doing their thing and wanting to be seen. This is your invitation — a space to be recognized, celebrated, and empowered just as you are.
Your Ticket Proceeds Go To…
The Common Ground Society!
According to the CGS website, their mission is “To share the stories of our lives to educate and empower our community to be more compassionate, accepting, and inclusive of people with disabilities. CGS ensures that all families feel a sense of belonging through meaningful connections and local support.”
CGS has been monumentally helpful for my family, from creating a safe place for my sister to talk to friends and be creative, to bringing a whole new side out of my mom as she prepares to be one of their new speakers, and presenting resources and education for our community!