W O M E N
I N
B U S I N E S S
Angela Buonagura, MD Paige Henderson
BELLUS, A PHOTOGRAPHY BOUTIQUE
From dressing and posing her Barbie dolls as a young girl to scouring
BREAST SURGEON
ST. TAMMANY HEALTH SYSTEM
When speaking to Dr. Angela Buonagura, it’s easy to see why her patients love her. She makes you feel totally at ease, like you can ask her anything—and
fashion magazines as a teenager, Paige Henderson has long been enamored with
isn’t that what we want from any doctor? Dr. Buonagura has been in practice
the beauty industry.
for 20 years, 10 in St. Tammany. As one of the area’s only dedicated breast
She rediscovered her love of photography while photographing her four
surgeons, she focuses her practice exclusively on breast cancer surgery as part
children but became frustrated when she was not able to recreate what she
of the high-risk breast disease clinic at St. Tammany Health System Women’s
had envisioned. She then decided to study photography more seriously. “I am
Pavilion in Covington.
obsessed with learning and always strive to be the best at whatever I undertake,
Dr. Buonagura always knew she wanted to be a doctor. From the age of
and photography has been no different. I study with the best photographers so
four, she had big dreams of helping others. It is safe to say that she has done a
that I can fulfill my dream of fashion photography for everyday people.” Recently,
great job fulfilling all of her hopes and dreams. Along with breast-fellowship-
Paige received three bronze medals for work she submitted to the Portrait
trained radiologists and the region’s most respected reconstructive surgeons
Masters Accreditation program.
specialized in breast care, Dr. Buonagura rounds out the team for the Women’s
Paige’s lifelong dream came true with the January opening of Bellus, A
Pavilion. Women can come here for mammograms, biopsies, imaging
Photography Boutique, in Mandeville. The Bellus mission is simple—to spotlight
and more—everything in one place. It is one of only a handful of centers of
the inner beauty of everyone who enters. “When I capture the client’s beauty
excellence in Louisiana, with national accreditation from American College of
with my camera, it thrills me to see the transformation in them as they see it too.”
Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and the American
The Bellus Portrait Experience was born with this belief and is about celebrating
College of Radiology.
you! Starting with a consultation at the studio, the portrait comes to life with wardrobe, set design and hair and makeup. Bellus is a full-service portrait studio whose goal is to create a portfolio
Breast cancer can be incredibly emotional and difficult for patients. Dr. Buonagura knows this and is there every step of the way, helping to discern and implement the best plan of action. She says, “It’s all about the personal
of images that you will treasure for a lifetime. Portrait sessions are customized
touch we have for each patient. We never want our patients to feel like they are
and designed for each client’s needs, from head shots and personal branding
just a number or statistic.”
to boudoir, senior portraits and contemporary glamour style. Paige also creates
Away from work, Dr. Buonagura enjoys spending time with her husband,
magazine-style photo shoots for men! “We believe in transformation, in seeing
who is also in the medical field, and her daughter, the light of their life. They
yourself as valuable and worthy, in showing you your most gorgeous self.”
enjoy typical Louisiana activities like biking, boating, horseback riding, playing tennis and celebrating Louisiana’s unique culture.
Bellus, A Photography Boutique, is located at 5150 Hwy. 22
The STHS Women’s Pavilion is located behind Movie Tavern at 301 N. Hwy. 190,
in Mandeville, 503-8229. bellus.photography.
Suite C-2, Covington. 985-773-1500, StTammany.Health/BreastCare. May-June 2021 85