The Luminous Project

The Luminous Project 2026

You Deserve
to Be Seen.

Fifty women. Fifty real stories. One gallery showcase that says out loud what most of us forget... you are already remarkable. We are just here to make it impossible to miss.

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A portion of all proceeds benefits Beautifully EmpowHERed

The Mission

This is more than
a photo session.

Every day, the world hands women a very narrow script for what we are supposed to look like and what our stories are supposed to sound like.

The Luminous Project is here to rip up the script. We are bringing together 50 real women, accomplished, complicated, funny, tired, brilliant, and absolutely worth celebrating, to be photographed and featured in a gallery showcase at Studio 25 Naperville.

Each woman gets a portrait and shares a piece of her story. Put 50 of those together in one room and it becomes something much bigger than any one of us.

Through our partnership with Beautifully EmpowHERed, a portion of every participant's investment goes directly toward career counseling, mental health services, and development workshops for women and teen girls in our community.

When you join the Luminous Project, you are not just claiming your own light. You are helping pass it on.

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Is This Calling You?

This might be
your moment if...

You are always behind the camera.You take everyone else's photos and somehow never end up in a single one. Let's change that.

You are in a new chapter.A transition, a milestone, a whole new version of you. It is worth marking.

You want photos that actually look like you.Not stiff. Not posey. Just you, on a really good day.

You want to be part of something bigger.Your story might be the exact thing that gives the next woman the nerve to step forward.

You are ready to be seen.Fully. Beautifully. Completely on your own terms.

And if you just read all of that thinking "sure, but I hate having my picture taken"... me too! I am the queen of the double chin. But I have had years of practice making mine disappear, and I will do the exact same for you. I got you.

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What Is Included

Your experience includes

Session Design Consultation

Before your session we plan the whole thing together, your vision, your outfits, your story, how you want to show up. Nothing is left to chance.

Professional Hair and Makeup

Our onsite makeup artist has you camera-ready from the second you walk in. Full glam or barely-there natural, your call.

Guided Portrait Session

A fully guided shoot with direction the whole way through. You will never once wonder what to do with your hands. That part is on me.

Portrait Reveal and Image Selection

You review your images in person and pick your favorites. Your portrait is printed at museum quality for the gallery.

Gallery Showcase Invitation

Your portrait and story go on display in the Luminous Project gallery at Studio 25 Naperville, and you are invited to the celebration event honoring all 50 women.

Exclusive Partner Offers

As a participant you receive special offers from some of Naperville's finest businesses including The Now Massage, Kendra Scott, Lena Rose Clean Beauty, Radiant Med Spa, and more.

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Their Words

Meet the women from
our first year

Every woman has a story. Here are a few of theirs.

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A Luminous Woman

Seen. At every age.

The Luminous Project is for every woman who has ever felt like the best years for being seen were somewhere behind her.

They are not. Your story is nowhere near finished. And you have never been more worth celebrating than you are right now.

Jeanne. Luminous Project participant.

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Your Investment

Simple,
transparent pricing

The Luminous Project 2026

$600

Regular value $1,250

Session design consultation
Professional hair and makeup
Fully guided portrait session
Same-day image reveal and selection
One museum-quality print for the gallery
Gallery showcase invitation and celebration event
Exclusive partner offers from Naperville businesses

Additional individual images are available at $250 each. Image collections start at $1,500. You only buy what you love.

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Meet Your Photographer

Emily Cummings

For over 15 years I have been photographing women, and the same thing kept happening. The most incredible women I had ever met would book a session and then spend the first ten minutes apologizing... for their arms, their age, their everything.

Here is what I always want to say to them: you are already the whole story, every bit of it! My job is just to catch it on camera so you can finally see what the rest of us have been looking at this whole time.

I know how to make you comfortable. I know how to find the light that makes you look like you on your very best day. And I promise the whole thing feels less like a photo session and more like the best afternoon you have had in a long time.

The Luminous Project is the thing I dreamed about for years. I would love for you to be in it.

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What Women Are Saying

Real women,
real experiences

My experience with Emily was amazing from the minute I walked in. This is not my comfort zone, so to be on the other side of the lens is always a little nerve-wracking. But the minute I walked in I was super comfortable. Everyone made me feel good and it was a wonderful experience.

Patti Minglin

I loved how comfortable I felt. I do not ordinarily like taking photos but somehow Emily manages to calm me down and make me feel confident and comfortable. It is always a fun experience and that is just something I have never had any other time, including my wedding day.

Clarissa Shah

Emily made my experience comfortable, fun, and memorable. She delivered a portfolio of shots I am proud to showcase on LinkedIn, social feeds, and projects still being dreamed up. YES, you need this. And YES, you should call Emily.

Anne Leroux

A Luminous Evening