Photographers seek Utah's '50 most beautiful women'


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SALT LAKE CITY — Thirty of Utah's best photographers are on the search to find Utah's 50 most beautiful women. But beauty in this contest isn't measured by waist size or their fashion sense — but by grace and courage in overcoming trials.

Photographer Michelle Gifford says she was sick of seeing the world define beauty by how “hot” and “sexy” someone is. She created her Beauty Revived campaign in spring 2014 to bring back the true meaning of beauty.

Based in Riverside, California, Gifford found girls at the local high school who embodied what she calls “true beauty.”

“Students were able to nominate girls in their school that showed attributes of true beauty. The caliber of the nominations were inspiring,” Gifford said. “The girls chosen were amazed at being nominated, and I could see that how they viewed themselves had changed.”

Gifford didn't stop there. She decided to bring the campaign to her home state of Utah. Gifford contacted 30 Utah photographers and asked them to find women, young and old, who embody courage and grace in the face of trials. Each photographer takes pictures of the women and girls to capture their story through pictures.

Gifford's been overwhelmed with the submissions that continue to come in.

Photographer Valerie Cheatham chose Amanda, who was born with muscular dystrophy.

“This, and the fact that she lost her mother at the age of 12, never breaks her down,” Cheatham wrote. “She is always beaming with hope, love, and strength for life.”

Photographer Alexa Ogilvie chose Kamille Bauer, whose beauty she says, “radiates from within.” Bauer recently found out her husband, who has cancer, has just six months to a year to live.

“However, through it all, Kamille keeps a smile on her face. She has sincere concern for what is happening in other people’s lives,” Ogilvie wrote. “Kamille stays strong for her husband and children and makes every moment and memory count.”

Photographer Tai Lee chose Rose, who lost her husband when her oldest was 17 and youngest was 7.

"She went back to school during this time to become an educator and loved and taught children far past retirement. Rose is kind,” Lee wrote. “Rose is smart. Rose loves life.”

Photographers in Utah are continuing to find Utah's "most beautiful women.” And Gifford says it won't stop here.

“When the Utah's 50 project is over, we will be featuring women from all over the United States,” she said. "(This) is a place for everyone to come and be inspired and to leave uplifted and changed for the better.”

To read more stories, visit BeautyRevived.com.

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Tracie Snowder

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