I’ve been asked quite a bit recently why I don’t photograph weddings, and at first I didn’t know how to respond, but now with no hesitation I know why. I don’t want to shoot them. I used to feel really awkward saying that, almost like I wasn’t an actual photographer because I chose portraiture over weddings. I love weddings and enjoy talking about them and love love…but I love women and personal self love more!

There is something so gratifying about starting a relationship with a woman who has been beaten down by expectations put on them by the world, themselves, their church, their family, or even their work place. When a woman who originally didn’t feel beautiful according to magazines proportions finally sees what the rest of the world sees and says “Wow, I AM beautiful!”, it always takes my breath away. I was given a gift and a passion for this, and I get excited about every single day that I’m given the chance to build a relationship with a woman and have them feel more self confident, more beautiful, and giving themselves more self love.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not perfect. I don’t wake up every single morning with gallons of self confidence and I hardly ever feel beautiful. But one thing I do have, is self love. No matter how I’m feeling, if I’m feeling like my legs are attracting more cellulite by the day, that my eyes have somehow accumulated a nice set of designer bags underneath them, or that I didn’t make it to the gym the day before like I told myself I would, I give myself some self love. I tell myself today is a new day, and this is who I am. Heck, I’m not going to look like this, nor will my life be like this 10 years from now, so I better embrace it today!

So my challenge to you is, do you know how wonderful you are?! How beautiful and amazing you are to the family and friends that you have? Are you ready to accept who you are and let that shine even more then before?