In the fire. In the forge. Buried in the embers, we can't see anything beyond the pain. We can't find the beauty. We can't see the bigger picture. We just take one sweltering breath after another, waiting for the heat to subside.
But as the Maker pulls you from this flame… Who will you be? A nail? A shard? A sword?
Girl.
I see it. And I want to show you...
You Are A Masterpiece
A new gallery exhibition featuring real women, real stories, and the beauty that comes after the fire. Photographed. Gathered. Celebrated, together.
Your story is worth celebrating.
At the end of this project, your portrait and story will be featured in a public gallery exhibition right here in Des Moines: a room full of real women, real strength, and real beauty on display together.
Imagine walking into that space. Champagne raised. Your story on the wall, not as a wound, but as a victory. Because in a world where the embers feel lonely, we were never alone.
That's what we're building. Because your story doesn't end in the forge.
Your Story Deserves a Room
How much does it cost to be featured?
The entire package is currently being offered at only $690.
The total value of this luxury experience is over $2300.
As a featured woman in the Freedom To Thrive campaign
This project is deeply personal to me.
My name is Andrea Mathes. I came to know God when I was sixteen. And over the years, he's been patiently refining and undoing some deep, ingrained worldviews and lies that formed long before I had the language for them.
I thought I'd walked through most of it.
And then the cancer came. Everything I thought was healed, it came back. The fears and the lies. The old questions about my worth.
But so did my people. My husband. My family. Women who held me up while my body shifted, my emotions stumbled, and my energy waned. They didn't fix it. They just refused to let me disappear into it.
Three days after my diagnosis, my photo was taken. That image is still my favorite to this day. You can see the fear I had then. But you can also see the strength and the beauty and the vulnerability. When I look back at her now, I am proud of her. I'm proud of me.
That's where this passion was planted. A deep pull toward helping women notice the beliefs they've been carrying, especially the ones rooted in fear and shame and survival. The ones that feel true even when they are not.
Because God never intended us to carry it alone.
So join me. This is your invitation.
Join us in Freedom to Thrive.
With all my love,
What's Included?
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A relaxed intro session with Andrea where we discuss how to make you feel at home in front of the camera.
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A personal style and concept consultation before your session to help plan your shoot.
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Professional hair and makeup artistry to look your absolute best.
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A fully-guided carefree photo session in the studio of Andrea Mathes, With Light & Lens Photography.
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Your portrait and story will be featured in a public gallery exhibition right here in Des Moines where you show up and shine.
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Invitation to our gallery-style exhibition in Houston, Sep 20, 2026.
AND
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A custom framed wall portrait to showcase your beauty and strength forever!
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