002 Magazine Cover Contest Winner | The Community Cloth

So, this is how it happened.  Roxanne emails me on a Wednesday regarding the recent 002 Magazine Cover Contest.  I remembered it from last year, but never imagine entering it.  If you don't know Roxanne, let me help you out.  She's an AMAZING woman.  I had the pleasure to photograph Rob and Roxanne's Reception (they eloped in Hawaii 6 months prior); you may have seen their pictures on my blog during the summer.  Rob and Roxanne make a superb team.  Both very gifted, intellectual, and most importantly; warm hearted.Roxanne started a local micro-enterprise named The Community Cloth.  Their focus is empowering refugee women in Houston.  The Cloth supports women who want to create and sell handmade, indigenous arts and crafts such as woven bags, knitted scarves, household items and more.  What is even better is that all proceeds go directly to the women.  100%!!Back to the story; we plotted like all good super-heros (Roxanne) do, and decided that I should photograph the women during a normal working day, and submit it in the cover contest.  Two days later, I spent two hours with the ladies; watching them weave, laugh, joke, smile.  You can see where I am getting here.  They are HAPPY.  Those two hours made me appreciate all I have today.  I think everyone knows that a refresher doesn't hurt, but spending time with these ladies was an eye opening experience.  Beautiful souls, and soooo talented.  I can't say enough about them.I edited the photos the following Sunday, and submitted that night.  Two weeks later, 002 held public voting at 18 Hands Gallery in the Heights.  A week ago, I was notified that our cover was chosen as the WINNER.  What a Thanksgiving holiday to say the least.You can now pick up your own copy of 002 Magazine, and see these beautiful women in print, or you can see it digitally here. Here are my favorites from the time I spent with them :)