Join our 'Free To Be Me' project to showcase and amplify diversity through art and storytelling in your personalized portrait experience.
The imagery we create will reflect who you are and serve as a bold declaration that your voice, body, and truth matter.
As diversity faces challenges, this is your invitation to celebrate yourself—loudly and proudly—not just for your empowerment but for the collective good.
The 'Free To Be Me' Portrait Experience offers a session personalized for you.
At the project's conclusion, we will showcase one portrait from your session at our 'Free To Be Me' Gala—a community event honoring our unique lived experiences as diverse individuals.
Proceeds benefit Be Inclusive, Inc., a nonprofit based in Walpole, Massachusetts, dedicated to lifting the voices of underrepresented and marginalized communities.
Ria MacKenzie Photography welcomes all identities, bodies, and backgrounds.
Diversity thrives here.
The ‘Free to Be Me’ Portrait Experience is for:
Anyone who wants to feel seen & celebrated
Marginalized voices who have been overlooked or silenced
LGBTQ+ individuals and those living their truth unapologetically
Allies & trailblazers who stand for diversity, equity, and inclusion
Anyone ready to take a stand and ensure our voices are never dimmed
All forms of diversity—race, gender, body, ability, age, and beyond
Neurodivergent folks who experience the world differently
Anyone who believes representation matters.
Included in this Portrait Experience:
(A $2150 value)
$850
Personalized Photo session with creative direction (body language & expression coaching)
Optional Hair& Makeup Styling
Consultation & Prep Guides
Reveal to view and select your portraits
5 of your favorite digital images with high end retouching
A 11x14 Matted Portrait from your session (yours to keep after the Free To Be Me Gala)
Opportunity to create meaningful art and support diversity, equity, and inclusion
START YOUR ENTRY BELOW
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As an artist, minority woman business owner, and intersectional feminist, I believe the art we create together can spark conversations, challenge narratives, and amplify voices that deserve to be heard.
For 15 years, I’ve documented the human experience through photography—evolving my work into liberated portrait experiences that help you break free from societal standards, body expectations, and self-doubt.
These sessions go beyond a simple confidence boost—they are a reclamation of your right to be seen, to take up space, and to recognize yourself as whole, powerful, and unapologetically you.
I believe portrait experiences are a social medium-a platform for storytelling, connection, and change.
Your story is worth sharing, and now more than ever, as diversity is being challenged, it’s time to show up as your fullest self. In doing so, you offer the world a new perspective—one that can foster understanding, inspire others to find their own light, and contribute to collective healing.
Turn your story into art—because diversity deserves to be seen and celebrated.
At Ria MacKenzie Photography, every portrait experience is an invitation to show up fully—bold, playful, and entirely yourself.
The Free to Be Me project was created—to offer a space where every identity is honored, every body is celebrated, and every part of you is welcome.
Through the power of portraits, the Free to Be Me portrait experience will have you stepping into your fullest expression, taking up space, and showing the world that
INDIVIDUAL EMPOWERMENT LEADS TO COLLECTIVE HEALING.
Proceeds benefit Be Inclusive, Inc., a nonprofit based in Walpole, Massachusetts, dedicated to lifting the voices of underrepresented and marginalized communities.
“Ria, simply put, thank you. Thank you for thinking of me and caring about me and my journey. You've literally seen me grow in all ways throughout this crazy life. Thank you for making me so comfortable during this process and for capturing me the way you did. I honestly had a blast, and we laughed a lot! Most importantly thank you for being a safe space. Talking with you and telling you my story was so easy because of how genuine and caring you are.
You asked me a few questions in an email and I figured I could answer one here publicly for you and anyone else interested in reading this. You asked "What would little Sam say to big Sam?" Honestly, I dont know. Little Sam never thought big Sam would or could ever get here. Little Sam was willing to settle being tortured every day of our life because I thought it was easier than saying my truth out loud. I would love to tell you that little Sam would say "I'm glad you hung in there, we knew it would get better" but I never thought it would.
My soul was in the wrong vessel from the start and I knew that all along. I couldn't believe the person looking back in the mirror was me because inside I knew that wasn't real. That's something I say a lot now since my transition, I finally feel like a real human.
Little Sam would probably cry behind closed doors again but this time in pure happiness and tell this Sam that they are proud that we never truly gave up even when that's all we ever wanted to do.”
-Sam
“Ria welcomed us with open arms and made the entire experience feel safe, empowering, and deeply affirming. Having Melinda there beside me made it even more special—it was a big step in our relationship to share our love so vulnerably.
When I look at those photos now, I see more than just an image—I see growth, love, and a version of myself I didn’t realize existed. For someone who struggles with self-image daily, Ria helped me see my own beauty. She reminded me that even in moments of doubt, we deserve to embrace ourselves fully.
Those photos captured more than just our bodies—they captured our love, our growth, and our journey. Ria gave us the space to honor ourselves and our relationship in a way that I will forever be grateful for.
It reminded me why I will always advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and why representation in art and photography is so vital. Being vulnerable is often the key to self-discovery, and I hope more people have the chance to experience that through portraits. ”
-Maddy
