OMG - What have I done? I don’t belong IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA !
Why did I book my own photo shoot? In Paris?
Have you ever dreamed feeling like a model, feeling great about a photograph of yourself but let that voice in your head talk you out of it?
This is my journey experiencing the same emotions and thoughts you have when thinking about having your picture taken - the insecurities, the objections. All the reasons NOT to do it.
Today: They're here! My folio box of photos is here!
Part 1: Explored if I am worth it. Just me, not the girls. Not to mention the $$$. Find the full post HERE
Part 2: Wait! WEIGHT! Who doesn't consider this when they are about to be photographed? Find the full post HERE.
Part 3: Wait! I DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO WEAR! Even though I have a closet full of things, do I really want to wear any of these? Find the full post HERE.
Part 4: The Photo Shoot: What it’s like to feel like a model for a day. Who thought it was a good idea to be photographed at dawn?! But it was at the Eiffel Tower… Find the full post HERE
Part 5: It’s reveal day. Time for me to actually see the photographs that we created. Time for me to choose my favorites. Find the full post HERE.
The hard part was over (for me) actually seeing how I look in my photos. I knew I was going to love the epic images with the Eiffel Tower and thank goodness I liked, even loved, many of the others.
I had brought 3 wardrobe pieces that I have in my collection for my clients to dress up in - my big ole tulle skirt paired with a lace shirt as well as an “Infinity dress” (Do you know about these? Check out my description at the end.) in a burgundy, my branding color. (I always advise my clients to bring something– anything- clothing or accessories- in their colors to create some cohesiveness with their branding photos and their marketing – website, social media, collateral pieces, etc). I also brought a strapless deep purple hombre gown (which we didn’t end up using) that had been donated from a friend’s closet for the studio wardrobe collection.
Wondering what would make me look long and lean for another branding photo look, I purchased a black romper (I grew up calling it a jumpsuit) and a purple patterned dress (very out of character for me and a “wear with caution” in the Style Guide I provide my clients at our consultations). Truth be told, it’s my least favorite look, so I still say proceed with caution if choosing patterns for your photo shoot.
So, I was anxiously (in a good way) waiting for my folio box to get here. I love the folio box. For me, it’s a safe place to store my photos and it’s more useful than an album, because it looks nice on a bookshelf and I can swap out what photos I feel like displaying either in a frame on the wall or on an easel.
Originally, I thought I was just going to have them in the studio because after all “what am I going to do with all these photos of myself?” But now that I have them I am going to put the 16x20 that came with my package outside my closet in my bedroom, put another with my collection of photos of my girls and 1 or 2 in my office . And of course, the box will be in the studio so you can have a look!
Anyway, I know you all have been asking when you can see the photos, so….
Be honest, did you read anything or just skip to here?
My Photo Session in Paris!
I wanted to experience what my clients experience during a photo session with me. So I took it to Paris. See my photos from in and around Paris including in front of the Eiffel Tower!
I have already changed the headshot that is on the magazine that I give to potential clients that come in for a studio tour/consult as well as added the epic Eiffel Tower in there. Now that I have had the public reveal, you can get a better look as they are sprinkled throughout my social media.
What are my feelings now that I have the photos in my hands?
1. Funny, but my first thought was that they are too small. I know, right? I was like everyone who talks to me about getting a photo shoot during my initial conversation with Ashleigh, my photographer. “Oh, an 8x10 matted print will be plenty big enough. How big do I need a photo of me?” But now, looking at the 16x20, I feel like it’s just approaching an appropriate size.
2. Confidence. I think that like most of us, I can sense when I feel like I look good. And like most of us I put that out of my head, because we are taught that it is not good to spend time absorbed in our own virtues and that outer looks are superficial. But we really want to know how other people see us. And we look for validation both ways, positive and negative. I have a new confidence in the way I feel I am perceived and now, how I carry myself. What we put out, we get back. If we don’t allow ourselves to appreciate ourselves, how can we expect others to treat us well? (Preach, girl! Can you tell I have been doing a lot of self-value work lately?)
3. Repeat. (Different than do over). I need to do this with my girls. I need to have photos of the 3 of us. And they need to have photos of the 3 of us. And of themselves. They need to discover this appreciation of themselves that I now have of myself, waaaaaay before they reach my age, so they can confidently go out, make a difference in whatever way is right for them and live their lives and make choices for them, not for “should” or avoid things out of fear.
4. Grateful. Grateful that I have grown so much in the last few years that I could even do this for myself. Grateful that I have the resources to do this. Grateful that I have the encouragement of my husband, children (and tribe) who want me to keep growing and learning. We think that we are not important enough to be in photos WITH our kids and certainly not FOR our kids, but even if they don’t say it, these photos are valuable to them.
Luckily, I have one that says it.
So tell me, what do you think. Which photos do you like? Did you like the series? It is so rare for me to be this vulnerable even with my trusted few, let alone in public.
(1) OMG do you know about infinity dresses? They are one piece, made up of a circular skirt, available in long or short lengths, with 2 long, very long, pieces of fabric attached that serve as the bodice, so you can create dozens of looks from. And they are only $35! And they take up so little room in a suitcase and don’t wrinkle! So I have one in black and one in cream for the studio in addition to the burgundy, but I am looking for an excuse to get the forest green and navy blue. (Anyone want to help a girl out and volunteer to wear one of these in a portrait?)
It's about shining from the inside...
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xoxo
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Thank you.
4 Comments
Jul 20, 2018, 10:31:05 PM
Brenda Jankowski - Thanks Seth!
Jul 19, 2018, 11:38:55 AM
Seth Goldstein - Great photos and great idea.
Jul 18, 2018, 11:13:26 AM
Brenda Jankowski - Thanks Mary Fran!
Jul 17, 2018, 5:03:39 PM
Mary Fran Bontempo - I love, love, LOVE every one of these! You look fantastic! And while it may be about "Shining from the Inside," girl, you were shining all over the darn place! Just gorgeous. So thrilled that you got to do this for yourself. You deserve it, and the posts of your journey are totally inspiring! LOVE!