What others say about Dion's photography

(written in a card that has Mount Hood on the cover)

"Dion,
I wanted to take a few minutes to thank you for taking the photos....It was a truly awesome experience that is provoking and re-examining.

I chose to use this card particularly because seeing images such as this mountain have always served as a sort of proof to me as to the existence of God. How else could this amazing and beautiful phenomena exist? Looking at the photos you took of me has made me look a little closer at this rationale, for as beautiful and intricate as this mountain is, I am equally unique and beautiful. I guess God really did put his best into all things he created...including me. Thanks for helping me see that."

"I appreciate all you have done for me. I think it's amazing what you capture on film. I have enjoyed this so much. I love to look at the photos and see the changes. I was thinking today there is a little vulnerability in them....someone seeing sides of your self you think aren't seen. The ones you try to keep hidden. I guess what I mean is we all have different roles to play and with each comes a different side, but the images reflect the true self. I look at the images and say to myself "that's me. That's Lorinda." Thank you for bringing back my quiet places and allowing me to see myself again."

Lorinda

"I loved the pictures, all of them, you capture something in me and I love your work."

Mandy

"Well I have to tell you that I got the CD yesterday...... I am very, very happy to see our work....and I showed to Bob and he was very impressed and very happy to see such wonderful work. I am upgrading my portfolio and I feel very honored to showcase your work......I hope that in the future we get to work together again.....the photos came out amazingly…thank YOU so very much...."

Ivonne

"The CD made it and I'm truly flattered. You really know how to make a girl look and feel great! And I had my baby on Saturday!"

"You have an amazing work of art and passion in your portfolio. I hope to become a part of your story one day."

I set a challenge for Dion before we ever worked together. We corresponded for quite some time before we ever actually shot. I could tell that we were going to create something that I would be able to hold dear for a long time to come. I was in my seventh month of pregnancy with my second child. A child that was planned for and named before he was even conceived. I’d been modeling for many years, and throughout my pregnancy, but here was the challenge: In all of the time I’d spent in front of the camera, my fiancé, Brad had participated in some shoots with me. But I didn’t feel that anyone had captured the real chemistry that we had going.

Brad and I have accomplished a lot in relatively short period of time. My love for him is deep to the core of me. Before we got pregnant, and throughout my pregnancy there was never a doubt that he gives me his all, too. I wanted something that showed the dynamics of the way we feel for one another. Not just an image of us standing together, or posing for the camera. Here’s where Dion McInnis comes in.

I told Dion that no one has ever been able to capture what Brad and I are really like together. Brad is at ease with being on both sides of the camera. He sat patiently while Dion and I shot throughout our home, all the while talking about the things that matter to us in our lives, our families, professions, and the thing that brought us together: Photography. Just as we had done through emails, we got to know each other. It was not a formal shoot. Dion’s greatest interest is apparent. He uses photography to find TRUTH. We all have different medians for that search. Dion uses his camera as a means of navigating his way though the trek. He shot us digitally and brought his laptop, so Brad and I could see what we were producing. I had to let go of the word ‘model’, and remember that first I am a woman. I was carrying another life, and here was Brad becoming a father for the first time.

Thank you, Dion, for showing is how we look to one another, and to the world that cares to view us. The image I love the most was shot by you. It shows the union between us, and the intensity that we possess. Your work has inspired me to look past what the body is, and to shoot for what it is that the eyes can’t see. In my own photography, I have become less interested in what will sell to a mainstream audience, and more interested in showing that there are so many more important things to be captured.

Dear Dion, Thanks for such a wonderful experience!I wanted to write to tell you I see so many things in my photos, pain, beauty, wisdom, and last but not least a woman who has finally surrendered to her body and all it's flaws. It's been a long road to recovery but I think I can finally relax and enjoy life and be happy with my body . Thank you again and I hope to do some nudes in the near future. ...I hope that other women who have been through this experience (anorexia) and have an end to the torture or being slaves to their poor body image. This was very good for me and very healing. I have showed some of the ladies my images and they are just so excited! I can't wait for more. I think the idea of showing women with all their beauty and flaws is very cleansing . It's saying to the world , "This is me , take me as I am !"

"I must say, they looked beautiful on the camera, but now that I can fully see them, these photographs are just magnificent. I feel this... sense of pride. I want to SHOW these to people...to say "look, look at me, see how I can look. THIS is who I am." Because for so long, I think they thought I was this person they wanted me to be, rather than myself. And you've captured the real me. Thank you. I can't wait until I can see the rest, and to show these beautiful photographs to my mother. I know she will feel the same way."

Sandra (18)