Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stephanie Mullowney . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Stephanie , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
My purpose came about when my daughter was born with Trisomy 21. My [then husband] called her “Defective” and said, “People will feel sorry for us”, and off he went at only 5 days old. He didn’t give her a chance to show him who she was. She didn’t get to grow up with a Daddy who would teach her how to throw a ball, or go to daddy/daughter dances with. She didn’t get to be held or loved by him because he rejected her immediately and chose not to love her because of ONE EXTRA CHROMOSOME. She has 47 and he had 46…that was the reason for walking away. She was diagnosed with 3 holes in her heart and possible leukemia so we spent several days in the NICU with her Swiss cheese like heart. She wasn’t projected to live past age 3 without open heart surgery…but God. He mended her heart and mine too. The Lord took the ashes of what was left of the bridge her father burned of our lives and He built an empire with it through the mission and ministry of what is now internationally known as my brand, Paperdolls Photography. This was the genius of my purpose…To show the world that children like mine are worthy of love just like anyone else. To teach society to see our kids through the lens of acceptance. My mantra is ‘Look with your eyes. See with your heart’. I had prayed for a platform to advocate and support my daughter and this ministry was my answer to prayer. I started out photographing what I loved, and that was of course my beautiful world-changing daughter, Hannah Grace who just happens to have Down Syndrome. Our kids are not mistakes…They are Masterpieces, and I will continue showing the world just how incredible differences can be.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My art is very unique. I specialize in extraordinary humans. I educate and advocate through beautiful portraiture for those that society views as ‘unworthy’ or ‘less than’. I show visual proof of how individuals who are differently abled are capable, loved, and have purpose just like anyone else. I spotlight the beauty in these children and adults showing not just their outside beauty, but the heart of who they are. It’s not just about ‘pretty pictures’, no, it goes much deeper than that. It’s about removing the negative connotations surrounding those who are abled differently. It’s about inclusion and acceptance. It teaches common sense kindness and to not make assumptions about someone based on a society labeled diagnosis. Our kids are human just like everyone else’s. They have hopes and dreams, likes and dislikes. We are all more alike than different and need to stop judging others based on a google definition, and instead learn something from someone who might be little ‘different’ than us. It helps new parents see all the amazing things they have to look forward to on their new journey. They hop on google after receiving their child’s diagnosis and happen across the images of all these amazing children I’ve photographed doing all the same things other kids are doing. It gives them hope and proof of an amazing life to come. These images change their whole perception and perspective. The pictures are polar opposite of what most medical staff tell them their child will be like. Most parents like myself are met with, “I’m sorry”, at the time of the birth of their child instead of ‘Congratulations!’. A drab and negative future is painted of their baby, but then they see these beautiful, happy faces and it’s like their whole attitude changes. They are no longer ‘mourning’ the ‘loss’ of the child they thought they’d have, but instead celebrating the extraordinary gift of the baby right in front of them. The proof is in the pictures, and are undeniably joyful. How blessed we are to be part of ‘the lucky few’. When ya know, ya know;)
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Your heart has to be in it. If you don’t have the unconditional love and willingness to learn so that you can understand how children like mine communicate (as most are non-verbal) then it’s not going to show in the images. And I don’t just mean ‘love what you do’, I mean LOVE the people you are serving. Truly love them. They aren’t just ‘subjects’ through a viewfinder you are snapping pictures of. You are the voice for someone who doesn’t have one. You are seeing the heart of who they are and you are capturing that for the world to see. They need you to see the soul of who God made them to be. So the “Why” behind the reason you do anything is the biggest component. You are serving others and that’s where true joy is found. Secondly, on the technical side of things, practice, hard work, and self-education. Hands on is the best. Just jump in and figure it out til you have perfected your craft and never stop learning and never settle for anything less than amazing. Always grow and improve and be better than the day before. And last but not least, don’t be afraid to ask for help. I have a hard time with this being a single Mom I’m used to being a one person show and wearing all the hats and have no help. Find your tribe, they are irreplaceable. They are the ones who hear you even when you’re silent.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
Yes but it’s a good kind of challenge. As a single mother to an extraordinary little girl and running a business and traveling to do fundraisers for nonprofits, and the literally thousands of images I edit daily, I stay pretty busy and rely on caffeine and Jesus to get me through…sooo much caffeine haha! I don’t sleep much these days but that’s ok too;) Then add in a book project projected to be released this coming World Down syndrome Day 2024, it all adds to the beautiful journey I’m on. I was recently signed to a publishing company by the former Vice President of Thomas Nelson Publishing International for an upcoming book that will be filled with stunning Portraits I’ve taken of so many of these amazing humans. So trying to narrow down the number of images allowed for the editors to choose to go in this book out of the thousands I’ve taken over the years is quite the struggle. But I am so beyond excited for another answer to prayer because being an author has been a dream of mine for YEARS. Writing was my first love and it goes perfectly with the advocating I do through portraiture. After all, as the old saying goes…”A picture is worth a thousand words”, so why not give these beautiful images a voice? 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://paperdollsphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedollcollections/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedollcollections
- Other: https://paperdollsphotography.com/news/
Image Credits
Paperdolls Photography/Stephanie Mullowney
