You Were Meant to Be

After today's self-portrait post, I had a few more thoughts I wanted to share.

A lot of times, when I'm meeting a client for the first time, or sitting down to look through their proofs for the first time, I often see a fleeting look of fear in their eyes, this momentary hesitation, leery of what's to come. People also tell me that they're not "photogenic" or the "pretty one" in the family & often, people are hesitant to even get their portrait taken, because in the back of their mind, they're worried of how it will come out, how they'll appear to the world.

I think we all have insecurities over something. I know I do. So I understand how hard it is for you to trust me. I understand there are things about yourself you'd like to hide, parts of yourself you'd like to change, and it's a vulnerable experience sitting down in front of the camera, especially with someone new.

But it's in knowing those insecurities, that I work so hard to show you your beauty in a way that maybe you've never been able to see before. It's possible that you focus so much on one thing, that you miss the most beautiful parts, the parts that really make you, you.

So many of us let fear or insecurities rob us of a greater joy, but my job is to stop that. So much of why I started this business is because I love people, I value people, and I see photography as a way of allowing others to see that beauty as well.

God has given us such unique beauty, and I so badly want to reflect that. Even just bits and pieces of His beauty & glory will take your breath away, and each one of you are walking around with HIS image in you. How amazing is that?

So it doesn't matter what size you wear, what color hair you have, or how long your legs are. God made you beautiful , just the way you are & I  love being able to show that to the world.

I love this song from Steven Curtis Chapman "Meant to Be", he talks about how God had a plan for our lives, uniquely ours, even before time began. I think if we start to see ourselves through God's eyes, we'll not only understand His love in a deeper way, but also appreciate our lives in a newer way, and perhaps, view ourselves in a purer light. 

Meant to Be: Steven Curtis Chapman

 "Long Before You Drew Your First Breath
A Dream Was Coming True
God Wanted to Give A Gift To The World
So He Wrapped It Up In You
Every Step That You’ve Taken
Every Move That You Make
Is Part Of His Plan

You Were Meant To Be Touching
The Lives That You Touch
And Meant To Be Here
Making This World So Much More
Than It Would Be Without You In It

You Were Meant To Be Bringing
The Gifts That You Bring
And Singing The Songs
You’ve Been Given To Sing
You Are Perfectly, Wonderfully,
Beautifully, Meant To Be
You Were Meant To Be

Long Before You Took Your First Fall
You stumbled to the ground
God started telling the story of you to the angles around
Every failure and victory
Everything inbetween
Its all in His hand

You Were Meant To Be Touching
The Lives That You Touch
And Meant To Be Here
Making This World So Much More
Than It Would Be Without You In It

You Were Meant To Be Bringing
The Gifts That You Bring
And Singing The Songs
You’ve Been Given To Sing
You Are Perfectly, Wonderfully,
Beautifully, Meant To Be
You Were Meant To Be

For every breath that your taking
And every move that you make
It’s a meaningful life you’ve been given
Live it well

You Were Meant To Be Touching
The Lives That You Touch
And Meant To Be Here
Making This World So Much More
Than It Would Be Without You In It

You Were Meant To Be Bringing
The Gifts That You Bring
And Singing The Songs
You’ve Been Given To Sing
You Are Perfectly, Wonderfully,
Beautifully Meant To Be
You Were Meant To Be."

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Love to all!