Celebrating Awareness: The Inspiring ‘Bags Out!’ Ostomy Photoshoot

Raising awareness through ostomy-positive photography in Calgary.

Calgary Steps Up For Ostomy Awareness

The second annual Ostomy Model Photoshoot in Calgary, themed “Bags Out!” was a remarkable success that exceeded our expectations. Organized by the Calgary Ostomy Society, following their Step Up For Ostomy awareness walk, this inclusive event encouraged participation from ostomates of all ages and backgrounds, showcasing the vibrant and resilient community that exists within the ostomy world. One standout participant was an exceptionally enthusiastic camper who radiated joy and was eager to pose, embodying the spirit of the event!

The photoshoot represented all types of ostomies, including colostomies, ileostomies, urostomies, and Koch pouches, emphasizing the diversity of experiences within the community. Tiffany Shorson, a marketing volunteer with Ostomy Canada, assisted with creating this initiative alongside talented photographer Sean Currie. Both are active members of the Calgary Ostomy Society. Their collaboration aimed to highlight Canadian ostomates in our marketing efforts, creating a platform for visibility and representation.

With a limited budget for marketing and a noticeable shortage of stock images relating to ostomies, we are incredibly grateful for all participants whose contributions have significantly enhanced our visibility. Their willingness to share their stories and images helps break down barriers and fosters an understanding of what living with an ostomy entails. For example, the lovely model used in the 2024 social media and website banner was Linz from the 2023 Calgary photoshoot.

You Ask For It: Male Representation

This year, we made a conscious effort to increase male participation, as feedback has indicated a concerning lack of male representation in our communications. We are committed to making this important change, but we need our supporters and community members to share their stories, photos, and volunteer their time to help us achieve this goal together.

We invite ostomates from diverse backgrounds and local groups across Canada to submit their photos and stories through our website. Your unique contributions have the potential to be featured in our newsletter, on social media platforms, and in the esteemed Ostomy Canada Magazine, further amplifying your voice and experiences. Most importantly, over 150,000 people in Canada will realize they are not alone!

We still need your help!

Thinking forward to our future ad campaigns, our photo wishlist includes those which creatively highlight ostomy-positive imagery. Photos that work well in social media typically involve individual and small group shots of two or three people, capturing genuine moments of connection and support. Good lighting and attention to shadows are essential for showcasing each participant, and we prefer high-resolution images, as they are more likely to be selected for our marketing campaigns.

Join us in celebrating the ostomy community and helping to raise awareness about living with ostomies! Your story matters, and together, we can create a more inclusive and understanding world. Let’s lift each other up and showcase the strength and resilience of the ostomy community!