Literally Astounding Ourselves

Last week, I shared a quick glimpse into my head shot portrait session with portrait photographer, Tiffany Farley.

For this week, I had an entirely different blog post ready to go.  One I had worked on in the evenings last week, excited to share all the fun details about my portrait session.  You know, a post going on-and-on about the fun stuff like where I got my dresses, my hair done, my makeup.  A post about all the special treats I allowed myself to have on that day.  

But then, I realized that writing about those details wasn’t really what I wanted to share.

At the end of our rainy night, as the thunder rolled in, and the lightning struck, we walked away from the empty beach and off the wet sand, hunched under an umbrella, laughing.  It wasn’t about the drenched outfits or my soaked hair that was important.  It wasn’t about the dresses I rung out and hung back on the hangers to dry.  It wasn’t about the pair of shoes I ended up returning because I wore shoes I’ve had for years, and went barefoot for most of the session.  And if we are going to be honest, it really isn’t like me to get all wrapped up in those details.  What IS me, is to reflect and be grateful for the many parts of this experience that had the most meaning to me.  I can tell you that I'm still daydreaming about it all…and running through the day over and over again, because it meant that much to me.    

I think it’s easy to get caught up in the now and the excitement that comes with sharing thoughts immediately after we experience them.  But, how often do we really allow ourselves to fully digest life anymore? 

No.  I mean.  really.  digest. life.   

Waiting a week to reflect and think about what this portrait session meant to me personally and professionally was important. 

For me, it was arriving at a place in my life, my journey that I never imagined I would ever be at.  Ever.  Complacency was the name of game for me, for many years.  Change was something I never wanted to meet head-on because of the way it made me feel, but what I began to realize in my early to mid-twenties is that it all really does work out for the best.  I started to shift my thinking and began to see that change is good, really good.  And even though change is still something I find difficult to face, I continue to challenge myself to push through because coming out on the other side is way more fun than staying put.  Realizing I was capable of accepting change was astounding.

So when I thought more about why my portrait session with TiffanyFarley was important and meaningful it truthfully didn’t take me more than a second to find the answer.  And don’t get me wrong, the outfit, hair, and makeup were all absolutely wonderful and made me feel my best self.  When I hired Tiffany back in October, I knew she was the photographer who would capture my soul in the most artistic way.  I knew I wanted her images to live across my brand in the months & years ahead, and knew I wanted them to become the foundation for what I wanted to represent as a photographer.  Her work speaks to me in such a beautiful way.   I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have met and worked with Tiffany, an artist whose style helped me realize my vision and own style existed in the photography community.  

The location of our session is such a special place of meaning to me as well.  It’s where I spent many summer days and nights as a child, and still walk the boardwalk when I visit with my 92 year-young Nana.  My family and I call it “Nana’s beach”.   It meant everything to have her there, experiencing the moment with me.  When I look at the pictures for years to come, it's important for me to know she was part of this experience.

And so my friends, those are the details that made this day so meaningful.

These images will represent everything I have been working towards building my business on—heart, life, inspiration, emotion, passion, and real relationships.  Being in front of the camera was different, but it was an experience I will never forget.   

For me, this day was one part of the many things I’ve been working towards in following my passion, following my heart.  Part of the many things I never thought I was capable of doing.  I am extremely grateful to celebrate those things that astound me in such a meaningful way.  So go astound yourself with the things you know you are capable of doing!  And then, be sure to celebrate them in your own special way! :)

xoxo,
anne

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 Anne is a Connecticut based natural light photographer specializing in family, children, and engagement portrait photography.  To learn more about booking your portrait session, please contact Anne at annemariephotographyct@gmail.com