Confidence is a Gift We Give to Others

I love what I do! Not only do I meet the most interesting people but I get to instill confidence. Often our perspective gets skewed by the beautiful people we see in the media. It becomes a belief that a few pounds need to come off, that makeup should be on point, trendy outfits need to be purchased, and that time needs to be kinder to our skin. That’s not true! All you need to do is show up! Your picture is a chance to present who you are and the photographer is just your mirror. It's time to be proud of your face!

I wanted to lead by example in this self-portrait and be as real as possible. No makeup because I don’t like wearing it every day, an old tee-shirt that I shouldn’t love so much, and hair that is just doing whatever it wants. I think sometimes we believe confidence is for ourselves but in my experience confidence is also a gift we give to those around us. So, show up in your pictures. Stop waiting for something to be better and start loving who you are today!

Photographing the In-Between Times.

There are many moments in life to celebrate, weddings, promotions, buying that new home. Photographers are here to cement those moments into history. Then there are those times where life is less than picture perfect but still part of our human experience. Those in-between times of waiting for the doctor to call, wondering if the surgery will be successful, or knowing that time is fleeting, is where I would like to be capturing the sweetness of life. Freezing time before, the possibility of a life altering change takes hold. I want to gift images to families going through struggles. Not to document the struggle but to have beautiful portraits made that will stand the test of time. Taking these portraits in the in-between times is meant to be a free gift. The images will not highlight the struggle but focus on joy, love, and strength.

These are the moments that I want to preserve for families in need. A sweet family is welcoming their first newborn baby home.

This ministry entered my heart when I was asked to edit an image of a baby who only lived 10 days. He was wrapped in a hospital blanket and tubes were all around him. It broke my heart that this was the lasting memory of such a sweet boy. I wish I had been there to take his picture with his parents. Then this drive came back to me again, when just a few weeks after photographing my friend she got devastating health news and her new portrait was on the prayer card. Even now looking back at my images I am finding more times that the pictures I have taken have been used as a remembrance. It is an honor to know that I have sealed memories for the loved ones left behind. 

Pictures are memories that we leave for the ones who love us. 

These images that accompany this post are examples of the precious moments that I want to gift to others. After the images have been edited they will be given digitally, copyright free, on a custom flash drive so they can be shared and printed. I know I need to open this opportunity for other to be a blessing. So, if you want to be a part of the gift giving process please tell me the story of the people/person you care about and how I can reach out to them. If you want to be more involved by purchasing prints for someone struggling, that I have photographed, let me know. Buying prints is not necessary, just an option for more people to show love. Please join me in this opportunity to do something kind for others!