Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone.

Ok, this is going to be a lengthy post.  And opening myself up a bit here, more than I normally would.  Another step outside of my comfort zone.  

These are not photos I have taken, but ones that were taken of me for a change.  Since I am usually the one behind the camera, there are few pics of me.  And if there are any, well, candid could be a good way to put it.  Kind of like the photo of me in this post from my Running With Scissors Blog.  

When my friend Sandra Enns, who owns and operates Blessed Memories Photography, announced she was including women's portraiture under the name of Fleuri Modern Women's Portraiture and she had some dates available at a special introductory price, I took a really really really deep breath, and sent Sandra an email to count in me.  And afterwards I thought to myself, "What the hell am I thinking, I am not a model.  When I try sexy, I end up with comedy"    

I don't like having my picture taken, usually because I don't like what I see looking back at me.  And talking to more and more women I see that I am not alone.  Motherhood is an amazing experience, but the body is left with what we see as less than desirable attributes.  And day to day life can leave a woman feeling less and less feminine. Seeing the magazine covers while in line up at the grocery store with those gorgeous models, can sometimes get the most confident woman to doubt her appearance.  And at times it feels like that around every corner we are made to feel less than worthy because we don't live up to society's "ideal" of how a woman should look, dress, and be.  How many times have you seen that gorgeous outfit in a shop window, and said to yourself "Love it, but I don't do or go anywhere to wear that outfit"   How many times have you looked in the mirror and thought "My face is too fat, my thighs are too fat.  If I could just lose the weight." etc.  Or asked yourself "Why is it that every other single wife/mother/woman out there has it more together than I do?"  I don't know any woman who hasn't.  

After some soul work via some online course from Brave Girls Club (If you are looking for some Soul Restoration, I highly recommend taking their online courses. Worth every single penny and more.)  I have decided to stop living my life in fear of my own power.  That we all have this glorious inner light, and I am going to let mine shine.  After 30 years (yes, that is my age (cough cough)) of negative self talk,  These portraits are a big big step on my journey, of loving who I am right here, right now in this life of mine.  This life that is what I make it, and I am going to make it amazing.  You cannot put a price tag on this experience  It is a truly amazing experience.  Worth every single dollar we spent on this.  

The photo shoot is at a secret location, couple of outfits from casual, to formal to even lingerie (I wasn't that brave..........yet) from your wardrobe that you love, or use this experience as a means to justify some shopping.  At the location you are the Queen for the day.  The amazing and stunning Gigi, our local aesthetician, did my make up, while I sipped champagne and nibbled on chocolate covered strawberries.  Champagne helps with the butterflies, and I had about a million of them fluttering in my tummy.   And the gorgeous and phenomenal Sandra and her equally gorgeous and phenomenal assistant (thank you Barb) get your outfits ready and the magic begins.  

The nerves disappeared and I ended up having so much fun, we laughed, we giggled, we weren't quiet!!   I left feeling re-energized and thinking that I DID IT!!!  I really DID IT!!!!  And it wasn't so bad.

And then to see the proofs.  Oh my!!!  I couldn't believe that was me, seriously, that was me.  Sandra helped me to lose 20 lbs instantly!!!  What a miracle worker!!!  LOL

Below are some of the pics that amazing day.  You can see my before and after shots on Sandra's blog here .  If you want to feel like a Queen for a day, or just need a boost in how you feel about yourself, I highly recommend a session with Sandra.  








7 comments:

  1. Ria you ARE gorgeous and I'm so glad I had a hand in helping you see it. I'm so proud of you too for taking on the challenge of silencing that critical inner voice. I've always seen you as beautiful and now you can believe it too!

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  2. Ria!! You look absolutely STUNNING!!! But that really isn't a surprize!! You are beautiful inside and out!! AWESOME JOB on stepping out of your comfort zone!! Courage is SEXY girl!! Way to RAWK IT!!! WAAHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

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  3. Holy poop, you are gorgeous! These photos are amazing! You go girl!

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  4. I'd say she captured the real you -- gorgeous inside and out!! You radiate beauty!!

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  5. Ria all I can say is WOW!!!!!! You were beautiful before the pictures and Im really glad doing them made you see what we all see everytime we see you!!! I would love to have mine done... Cheers to Sandra and you!!

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  6. Ria ,
    you look amazing as per usual, All of us have thought that from day one, your a great person and your humor adds to that!! hugs!

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