Empowering Skin Positivity Normalizing Acne Photo Series in Willmar, MN at MinnWest Technology Campus

This powerful and emotional Skin Positivity Normalizing Acne session took place in Willmar, Minnesota, at the historic MinnWest Technology Campus. It was part of my ongoing skin series—a raw and vulnerable project centered around acne awareness and self-acceptance. Set indoors of MinnWest, this session showcased a variety of models, each sharing their own unique skin story. The one I’m sharing today is from Teralyn, and it was one of the most impactful sessions of the entire project. The tone of this session was raw, emotional, and empowering.

As someone who has personally struggled with severe acne, I know what it feels like to have your skin define your self-worth. This is why I created this skin series — to amplify stories from real people across the Kandiyohi County and Willmar, MN area, and to help others feel seen, valued, and confident in their own skin.

In this indoor session at MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar, I collaborated with a talented makeup artist and friend Jess Bonnema (Jessi B Artistry) to photograph a transformation — not just in appearance, but in mindset. 

With our model Teralyn, we began with the makeup transformation into full glam. Documenting each stage. Then gentle, confident posing that highlighted her smile, posture, confidence, and strength. Then transitioned into the removal of make up. This process was slow and intentional.  Half-covered expressions. Makeup wipes full of makeup residue. Then a moment alone with a mirror. Her posture and energy shifted — visually capturing how acne can emotionally weigh someone down.

At the end of the session, we returned to bare skin. The words “retouch” and "beautiful" were stickers that we directly put on her face, paired with bold posing that called out unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by society and social media. We had her hold the makeup wipes, fake eyelashes in hand — and focused on tight, detailed shots that brought out every pore and every emotion.

This project allowed for vulnerability in a safe space— something that was incredibly important for the tone of this series. It wasn’t just about photos; it was about storytelling.

Here is Teralyn’s skin story…

In seventh grade, I had some acne on my face that wouldn’t seem to go away, so I went to see a dermatologist. I tried lots of different prescriptions, but nothing seemed to work.

After several months of no results, my dermatologist took a biopsy on my cheek and sent it to a lab. The results came back to show that it wasn’t acne, but angiofibromas—benign tumors made up of blood vessels and connective tissue.

My dermatologist let me know that angiofibromas were permanent, and that they would be on my face for the rest of my life.

Further testing revealed that I had a genetic disorder called tuberous sclerosis. This disorder causes small tumors to form all over my body—specifically my kidneys, brain, and face.

I was upset that I couldn’t do anything to get rid of my blemishes.

In eighth grade, a girl in my Spanish class asked me about my acne. I told her it wasn’t acne and that it wasn’t going anywhere, to which she responded, “You should try foundation—it will cover it up.”

Later that same night, I begged my mom to help me pick out foundation from the drugstore. I began wearing it to conceal my imperfections, and I still wear it every day.

In early high school, I started to develop intense acne. The dermatologist gave me a few topical prescriptions to try, but nothing was strong enough. He eventually put me on a pill called doxycycline hyclate, which I still take every day.

Doxycycline hyclate is known for having side effects if a dose is missed. It can cause depressing and suicidal thoughts, which messes with my already severe depression—but I still take it.

I’m so concerned about the acne on my face that I put myself in danger if I accidentally miss a dose or two.

To this day, I still haven’t really accepted my acne, and I still choose to conceal it. Every morning when I wake up and walk past my mirror, I can see how awful my acne looks.

I immediately can’t wait to cover it up with concealer and foundation. Even if I’m not going anywhere, I still like to put on makeup so I don’t have to look at it myself.

I feel much more confident when I know it is hidden.

On the days I’m really struggling, it’s so important for me to remind myself that I’m not the only person who has a lot of acne, and that in the grand scheme of things, it is pretty insignificant.

And that’s my advice to those who are also struggling to accept their skin as well.

This skin series session in Willmar, Minnesota was a reminder that vulnerability is strength. At the MinnWest Technology Campus, we created space to be raw and unfiltered, to show the emotional journey of living with acne, and to start conversations about what beauty really means. If you're interested in being a part of this series that honors your story and empowers you to own your confidence — no matter your skin — reach out. These are the stories I love to share.