More than just a portrait session.
I strongly believe that a photoshoot is so much more than just pretty pictures. Seeing yourself in a different light is an empowering and transformational experience that will help you fall in love with yourself now, not 20 years ago, and not 20lbs lighter, but you right now. It will help you love your body with all its imperfections and believe that you are a beautiful badass goddess, and you deserve to love yourself and be loved. This photoshoot was not supposed to be a boudoir session. Amanda came to our Oakville photo studio to create branding images for the book she is writing, and to get some professional photos for her website.
I always try to get to know my clients a little during a photoshoot, and capture something that I see in them, that they may not even know they have. After photographing hundreds of women over the years I know that each and every one of us has a story, and some of these stories are really tough, but we are even tougher. Helping women discover, love, and celebrate themselves through the art of portrait has been the most fulfilling and empowering experience for me as well.
My dear women, I want you to know that you are a work of art, you are beautiful and you are worthy, just the way you are. Please don’t be afraid to exist in photographs. it’s not vanity, it’s LEGACY.
This is what our beautiful client had to say about her photoshoot experience with us:
“I’ve always looked younger than my linear age. Now, I can no longer be mistaken for anything other than a seasoned adult. Time and life experiences have etched indelible lines on my face.
Why do we women have such a hard time embracing those lines? It’s because we live in a beauty-obsessed society where we begin to disappear — where our value and desirability lessens — as those lines begin to appear on our faces.
I didn’t realize how much I’d been buying into an antiquated and wholly sexist view of aging until recently, when I posed for a website shoot with Elena. As age brushes a patina over the beauty you once held — a beauty you couldn’t see in your doubt-filled youth — there are times when you remain blind to how much still shines through.
As I walked into the shoot, I felt incredibly exposed and self-conscious at first, but Elena made me feel like a goddess. Halfway through, I began to buy into my own hype. I felt comfortable in my own skin. The real me was shining through — strong, fierce, and fairly fucking fabulous.
Elena held up a mirror I couldn’t deny with her lens. Brought out the lioness warrior goddess in me and reconnected me with my inner wild.
Why would I ever try to minimize, hide, or erase my own story, my own life map? I believe there’s value in taking proper care of aging skin and looking as good as possible for as long as possible. But I’m done with playing small to reduce the visual impact of lines I’ve earned by living big.
Every line tells a story. Every photo does too. I’m going to start letting them speak freely. Thank you, Elena, for helping me to see the richness of those stories.” ~ Amanda
