I spent a fantastic day with the staff and ownership of Brio Salon (101-1211 3 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta) documenting “It’s Your Day” – a local project aimed at bringing the salon experience to underprivileged kids in Lethbridge communities. Teams of stylists and estheticians throughout the city cleared their schedules and volunteered their time for kids who heard about the event through local organization “Streets Alive“.
I was approached by local stylist Tanya Yancie early in the planning stages and helped corral a portion of the 15 photographers who donated their time to document the day via the Alberta Strobist group. Brio salon is beautifully modern, family owned and operated. I was pleasantly surprised at how such a visually stimulating place could lay inside an unassuming retail storefront on one of the busiest streets in Lethbridge.
Rather than take portraits for the kids, I took a documentary approach so Brio could have an album to share their contribution with the community. 200 kids were affected by the movement this year, and were sent home with many grooming supplies donated from local businesses. I feel strongly that this will be an annual event, and I can’t wait to help out next Summer to help kids feel great about themselves, and give them a fresh start for the coming school year.
