As much as I adore shooting my clients, personal projects are incredibly important to me. My creativity is challenged and the sky’s the limit as to what I choose to shoot. This year I’ve taken on a 365 project. A picture a day for an entire year. I will admit that I’m not caught up at the moment and that I experience peaks and valleys when it comes to being productive on my 365. But I am immensely enjoying it so far. On top of this challenge I have committed to taking a self portrait once a week. I started out posting these on Mondays but at this point they are pretty darn sporatic.
During this self portrait project of mine, I’ve discovered something. I hate to have my own picture taken.
I know. Weird, since I’m a photographer.
But actually not that uncommon among us photographers. Many of us would rather be behind the camera than in front of it. But not only do photographers find themselves behind the camera, but I think most of us moms are perennially missing from pictures. We are usually too busy taking the pictures or we rarely feel “camera ready”. More often than not we’ve spent the day carpooling or chasing after kids or working on the never-ending laundry or organizing the linen closet. (Well, that one might be a stretch, at least for me.)
I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. As women, we often lose ourselves in our roles as mothers. Each of us, at some point in our youth, felt beautiful and attractive. Someone worthy of a catcall from the closest construction worker at least. And we still are, but our beauty and attractiveness are hiding behind spit-up and garden dirt, sleepless nights and teenage worry, Play-Doh and peanut butter. I believe we owe it to our spouses, our families, but most especially to ourselves to take the time and the effort to unearth that inner and outer beauty again and SHINE.
I’m working on a new kind of session to do just that. A session all about YOU. A chance to shed the mom uniform and let your true beauty shine through. What woman doesn’t want to get together with friends, enjoy a little pampering and a chance to come away with images that represent the amazing and beautiful YOU? I know I do!
Keep your eye out for my new Cover Girlz sessions coming soon.
Here’s a sneak peek at a few images from some recent sessions.
Call or email me if you’re interested in getting some girlfriends together for a day/evening of pampering and being your own Cover Girlz! I promise, you’ve never looked better!
brilliant … just brilliant!
what a wonderful way to celebrate mom!
This is a fabulous idea, Wendy!! It’s like boudoir with more clothes and less awkwardness!
Me! I so wish I could do this with you
I need to feel and look fab in a picture or two. I looove this idea and am excited to see what else you have to come!
I need this! I felt like you were speaking to me in your post! I think this is a wonderful idea and that you will make many moms feel beautiful again!
Brilliant idea and beautiful pictures!
What a fabulous idea……and so empowering to women…..forget boudoir!
This is a wonderful idea, Wendy!!
that is an awesome idea. wish i was closer to you!
I LOVE these!! Such a fantastic idea! These mothers are stunning and are cover girls FOR SURE!
OH my! What a great idea! Pokeno night turns into Cover Girlz night! I like it!
Love it! Sounds like a great idea!
This is amazing, Wendy! If I lived closer to you, I would totally do this!
Oh Wendy, its such a beautiful idea!
love love love the idea!
Love this idea! Can’t wait to see more from this series!
What a fabulous idea! If I lived in your area, I’d sign-up right now!!!!
This is a great idea – love the mom focus!
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wendy, these images are beautiful!!! what woman wouldn’t want gorgeous images of herself??? fabulous idea!
Wonderful concept. I cannot wait to see what you do with it!
What a great plan! Those photos are great too.
wish I lived closer I would so take you up on this…
These sound awesome!! Great idea!
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