It's hard being a girl. I am not saying guys don't have a tough time growing up or have their own insecurities when it comes to media's idea of being perfect, but I can only relate to the girls side of things as I was that girl in middle school and high school. Although I was well known in my high school class of 300, I felt like an outsider. I found myself desperately trying to fit in and having my own clique that I could turn to when I was feeling down. But instead, I found that I was wondering aimlessly between the groups of girls I played sports with, and the other girls who were in my classes. I never felt I had a group to call my own. I was insecure, self-conscious and depressed at times. I did stand up for what I believed in and tried not to do things just because the "cool kids" were doing them. But I would be lying if I said I didn't get caught up in it at times. I was trying to live up to this persona that wasn't me and fit myself into a mold to make more people like me and become my friend. It was exhausting and down right depressing. I currently have 1 best friend who is from High School. I can speak for when I say we feel the same way about High School so I think that is why we are so perfect for each other!
It wasn't until I went off to college that I became my own person. You hear people say that from time to time. "High School was awful, I loved College so much better" Now I didn't love college for the parties, or the football games, or any thing else that would be typical. I had a fun time at those events, but I really loved college because I found my group. I found a group of girls that I am still friends with to this day. Six years later(almost 7!) I can still call them up and talk to them like it was yesterday. They stuck by myself even when I did something majorly stupid or just plain irritating(Lets be honest, this happened a lot). We don't all live in the same town anymore, hangout at the same places, or even live in the same state(Miss you Pouchie!), but these girls are my "group". They were the only group of girls that I invited to my wedding under "My Friends List". Even if we did not talk the rest of our lives, they have changed my life, and my heart forever. I got my confidence to be who I was meant to be and pursue my dreams from being with those amazing girls.
This week I launched what may be one of my favorite sessions to date. Rock the Dress started out just as inspiration from other photographers like Sue Bryce and Teri Fode. I find that I follow on blogs, Pinterest, Facebook, or other media sites, different photographers who I love their style and creativity. Now while I do get my ideas from other people sometimes, I don't try to all out copy them. I am not them, so I can't get the same result as they do. I have tried in the past and have failed. There is only 1 Anne Geddes, and my newborns do not look as good in those flowers as hers do. I do however, find what ignites that fire deep in my soul and I try to make it grow. This is why I not only LOVE senior portraits, I know I was meant to photograph them. This is my destiny.
To better myself as a senior portrait artist, I read fashion magazines, go to online forums, take classes not only in senior portraits, but in fashion and glamour lighting and posing. I want my senior girls to gain confidence when they get their portraits done with me. Every girl that walks through my door as a unique beauty about them, and I want to portray that way past their wildest dreams. I want them to start down the path to feel beautiful and gain the confidence to be who they are. Because they are beautiful and unique. Each and every one of them.
Hailey DeBeer came in for her Rock the Dress session this last week. She is currently a HS Senior at Columbia High and is enrolled in Cosmetology School. What I loved about Hailey was she has the unique quality to pursue her own dreams. She has known what she wanted to go into since she was a Freshman and is whole-heartily pursuing that dream. Her mom Mitzi was with her for the session and told us the story about how Hailey got her current hair style. "She used to have those long flowing blond locks and then one day she came home with it all cut off and dyed! I about had a heart attack!!". Hailey knew she wanted a change, knew she was destined to be something more and took action. It is very hard for young woman to do that now a days. I applaud her for that. Honestly, I can't image her with long blond hair because she rocks her hairstyle so well:) It's her own True-Self.
She floored me with her beauty during our Rock the Dress session. Every image is just stunning. I know Hailey is a strong willed young woman, but I hope she looks at these photos and just knows how special and beautiful she is. Thank you Hailey for coming in and being your awesome self! Look at these photos and know you are gorgeous and I know are destined for great things in life!
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