A Conversation With Hara Allison, Storyteller, Photographer and Host of the "See Beneath Your Beautiful" Podcast

Hara Allison is a storyteller through photography, design and her podcast, "See Beneath Your Beautiful." On her podcast, guests share stories of adversity and perseverance which inspire, encourage and challenge us. Hara embraces these tough conversations, intimately exploring our loves, fears and hopes with a delicious combination of depth and lightness. One of her most impactful podcast episodes aired on 9/25/21: "Motherless Daughters." Hara interviewed a dozen women who lost their mothers about the impact the loss had on them. Hara has found that talking about one's pain can free us of it.

Despite a traumatic childhood, including sexual abuse at a young age and her mother passing away at the age of 46, Hara finally found her worth and wishes that others see their own beauty and the light they were meant to shine. Hara said it took her 52 years to be able to confront her feelings of low self-worth. She also shared that, the more she parented, the more she was able to forgive her parents.

Hara's clients believe in her ability to tell their story. From that vulnerability and trust comes honest images that make them feel understood and confident. She calls it an "honor, every single time" to photograph her clients.

Her "See Me" photography series is a compilation of arresting photographs of women with the words they self-selected to describe themselves hand-painted on their skin. The 25 women photographed, many of whom she had never met, shared why they claimed the words they chose, and what they were willing to say out loud. Hara believes that is what is beautiful about a person is the light that shines through them, not their physical characteristics. It shows in her work, and particularly in the See Me series.

She also has volunteered to photograph people who are dying. It was beyond her comfort zone, initially, but she wanted to witness them. "All I ever wanted was to be seen," she reflects.

Most importantly, Hara is now open to not knowing. Hara questions everything she thinks she knows. "There could be another answer," Hara says.

For more information, check out the links below.

Photography: https://hara.photography/

Podcast: https://seebeneathyourbeautiful.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/SeeBeneathYourBeautifulPodcast

IG: https://www.instagram.com/hara_allison_photography/