Scrubs, Lace & Sisterhood: What Really Happened at Our First Ladies' Night in Wytheville

When I was a little girl, my mama loved to get dressed up. Lately I’ve been thinking about how much of her exists within me.

She’d spray her Lancome perfume like it was armor, swipe on her lipstick, and walk out the door like she was headed to something important—because she was. I remember thinking she was magic. Strong and messy and beautiful all at once. We even had Glamour Shots together—me in a sparkly top with teased hair, her with that unmistakable smile. I thought we were movie stars. That moment is stamped on my soul.

That memory is one of the reasons I created House of Lenore.

Not just to take beautiful photos. But to create a space where women in our small town could come back to themselves—and to each other.

And last week, it happened.

We hosted our very first Ladies’ Night in the studio on Main Street, right here in Wytheville, Virginia. And let me tell you—it was holy.

What Happens When Women Gather With Intention

They showed up in jeans, leggings, scrubs. Some brought snacks. Some brought nerves. All of them brought stories.

And somewhere between the music, the makeup, and the light pouring through the windows, something sacred unfolded.

We laughed until our faces hurt. We created portraits together—art, really. Women of all shapes, sizes, and walks of life stepped in front of the camera. No retouching filters. No Photoshop perfection. Just raw, real, radiant beauty.

One woman looked at me with tears in her eyes and said,
“I’m turning 50 and I just wanted to feel beautiful again.”
And she did. We all did.

The Beauty of Every Body

We had curves. We had stretch marks. We had healing scars and stories whispered behind the scenes. But what we created wasn’t about hiding. It was about honoring.

Every body deserves to be seen in its softness and strength.

Tessa Butz, our incredible hair and makeup artist, worked her magic—transforming not just faces but energy. Women walked in looking tired and walked out glowing. You could feel the shift in the room, like we all gave each other permission to shine a little brighter.

This Is Only the Beginning

Ladies’ Night isn’t just a one-time event. It’s a movement.

It’s about reclaiming our right to feel beautiful without apology.
It’s about showing up for ourselves and each other—even when we feel nervous or unsure.
It’s about creating a sisterhood rooted in self-love, Appalachian strength, and the belief that every woman is worthy of being seen.

Whether you’re in your 20s or your 70s. Whether you show up in scrubs with lingerie underneath or full glam and heels. You belong here.

Join Us at the Next One

If you missed this first one—don’t worry. We’re just getting started.
The next Ladies’ Night will be even bigger, even more sacred, and yes—there will be more tears (the good kind). For more information about joining, call or text Madeline Lenore at 276-333-8191.

Bring your heart. Bring your story. Bring that lace bodysuit you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to wear.

This is the right time.

We made space. And now—we bloom.

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Tags: Ladies Night Wytheville, House of Lenore, Appalachian boudoir photography, lingerie under scrubs, women’s events Wythe County, Wytheville women’s empowerment, Tessa Butz makeup artist, body positive photography Virginia, small town sisterhood, MLenorePhoto