Elizabeth Chambers, Freeport, IL, USA:

The women we photographed were homeless women with children. One of the most inspiring was a 15-year-old girl that didn’t want to smile, and I finally sat down with her and asked her why. She said that she has a gap in her teeth and has never felt beautiful. I told her that the gap in her teeth represented her unique personality and beauty, and that that gap could very well represent the gap that we come across with other people culturally and socially – and that we should be proud and embrace our “gaps”- not look at them as a flaw.

I myself have been at the bottom and the top, and I prefer to be towards the bottom – because only then do you truly rely on the substance of things not seen, increase your faith, and live simply enjoying the greater experiences in life.

freeport