Client: Beautifully Flawed Foundation
Photographers: Kevin Rogers, Ashley Wingo
Surf Day Drone and Ground Videographers: Jared and Danielle Zachs
DP: Makayla Wheeler
Editing: Makayla Wheeler
The Beautifully Flawed Foundation was founded in 2007 by the friends and family of Bethany Hamilton, a surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack at age 13. Their annual retreat for women with limb loss and limb difference champions the innate desire in every person to overcome life’s trials and challenges through Jesus Christ.
The board and staff were committed to preserving the emotional integrity of the event while creating an incredibly compelling documentary-style recap. Their goal was to capture the heart of the retreat in a way that would inspire future fundraising and deepen support for the women they serve.
This fall one of my dreams came true. I had the incredible honor of flying out to Del Mar, California to document the Beautifully Flawed Retreat 2025. For anyone that knows me, Bethany Hamilton has been a role model of mine since 7th grade and I’ve found great inspiration in her documentary film Unstoppable both personally and creatively, so having this opportunity was truly a gift to get to work with her non-profit in such a powerful way!
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What a life giving event for these young ladies. Their stories of grit and overcoming incredible difficulties, and their insanely positive attitudes were so impactful and contagious…they touched me deeply. To see them get to meet Bethany was just the coolest!
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Photo credits: Kevin Rogers