Honestly, I had been a long time listener and finally became a first time caller when I saw the mini shoots offer.
I have no idea why I decided to leap because I am perpetually unhappy with my body and yet
I found some courage to try something different even though it made me unbelievably uncomfortable!
I wanted to show my significant other that I can be confident and sexy in my own way and also give myself some sort of reason to compliment myself.
I had been following for a long time and always admired the work being displayed.
It took me awhile because I had gone through a divorce and the sudden loss of my father so it didn't become priority until later.
I started seeing someone and 2 years later, I took the leap.
I was nervous about how I would appear on camera.
I am and have always been the one who controls what pictures go on social media and
have always cropped and placed myself in photos that would hide my body.
I was letting go of control and throwing all my vulnerabilities out the window.
I really considered backing out a million times in a short period before my shoot but I kept telling myself that in order to grow,
I had to step outside some comfort zones and to overcome the insecurities embedded deep in my soul from my past,
I had to break the chains of how I pictured myself.
It was not easy and I am sure it was very evident in my lack of confidence during the shoot but nonetheless,
Melissa captured a woman that once was and could be, still. It will take time but that confidence is growing! This was step 1!
It's hard to say what my favorite part of the experience was, because I learned a lot during this process.
Many might say the hair or makeup or feeling like a goddess but I think my favorite part of this process was the personal strength that was grown from it all.
There can be great struggle in finding beauty in yourself but the support that the private female only VIP group gives,
and that Melissa instills in her work is priceless.
This is really hard to admit... but now that I've completed the session, I am still struggling with how I looked in some photos
(even though they were beautiful shots and perfectly done!!!!) BUT what I gather from this feeling that lingers
is that I havent quite let go of my past and those demons that lurk.
The shots I felt confident in were enough to provide a breeding ground for my confidence.
Growth is a process and I would never expect to perfect the process after the first attempt.
Melissa created an atmosphere where I felt good about being me and that is what mattered to me.
She set the tone for a much brighter future in my self confidence!
I would recommend Melissa to others because she has the ability to wrap her loving arms around you and make you feel like the beautiful woman you are.
She is clearly made for this as she has the passion and knowledge on not only the technical side of photography but the behind the scenes, raw, emotional side as well.
She makes you feel incredible despite how you may feel about yourself and teaches beyond the camera lens.
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