When my grandmother passed away a number of years ago, we had to do the difficult but very common task of finding photos of her to display at the funeral home. My grandma moved in with my parents when I was four and she lived there beyond my own moving out and marriage and after the birth of Sydney, so she and I shared a long history of memories together. She was a unique person and definitely played an influential role in my life. One of the things I loved to do when I was growing up was to make my grandma pull out her old photos of herself for me to look through. I was convinced my grandma was one of the most beautiful women in the whole world. She had wavy auburn hair, pale green eyes and beautiful bone structure. And even though she was gray haired and a bit wrinkly by the time I knew her, I still thought she was beautiful. And those pictures of her meant the world to me, and still do.
Fortunately for us, my grandma was really good about having her picture taken over the course of her life. Even though she was very self-conscious about aging and always covered her wrinkles with a “high collared shirt” - even in 95 degree heat - she usually willingly let us take her photo. Unlike so many of us - myself included - she didn’t duck behind a door frame or park herself behind the tallest person in the room when someone whipped out a camera. No, she stood there and smiled and put her best face forward. And in the process, gave us gifts we would cherish forever.
When was the last time you had your photo taken? I don’t mean photos of your kid’s birthday party with you behind the table, holding up the cake, or your annual family photo at Christmas that you send out (if you like how you look in it). Not your wedding photos. Not your ID photo taken at work or your passport photo or your driver’s license photo. But a photo of you that your children or husband or parents or family member or friends could look at and say, yes, this is my beautiful mom, or my beautiful wife, or my beautiful daughter. This is a photo where she looks happy, where she looks content, where she looks relaxed and comfortable and beautiful, not only on the outside, but on the inside.
Ladies, I want to give you an opportunity to give a gift. It’s time to set aside those reservations and self-conscious thoughts and toxic feelings that we have about our physical appearances, and do something not only for your loved ones, but for you. For once, I want you to stop and recognize that this time in your life, whether you are young and energetic and trying to find your way in the world, or you are older and wiser and have a renewed perspective on life - this time is important to capture and remember. Maybe it’s not important to you, but it’s important to someone. And someday it may make all the difference to that someone that you took the time to do it.
Beautiful You Mini Sessions are just about that - giving women the opportunity to give a gift to someone, or even just doing something good for yourself. It’s time to put away that notion that we need to lose 10 lbs, or 20 lbs or 50+ lbs, get our hair highlighted or wait until that collagen serum finally starts working and those fine lines around our eyes fade. No one but you cares about that. Really. Not your husband or your father or your son or your best friend. No one but you is concerned about it, and no one but you thinks any less of you because of it.
On Saturday, March 27th from 4-7 p.m., at the Lexington Arboretum on Alumni Rd., I will be holding 20 minute blocks of mini photo sessions for you, ladies. Only you. Mini sessions need to be reserved, so please contact me to schedule your 20-minute block of time. These are very relaxed sessions. You do not need to look a magazine model. Magazine models are all airbrushed anyway. You just need to be you - beautiful you. The cost is $65 and you will receive 5-8 photos of you in both color and black and white to choose from. In the event weather does not cooperate, a back up date(s) will be provided.
Reserve your spot today and I promise you won’t regret it. In fact, you may actually thank me for it.
And just so you can see - here is my grandma. Isn’t she beautiful?
Now is your opportunity.
Contact me at LeighWPhotos@aol.com or 859-797-7112.
by Leigh
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