Stepping Outside of What You Think You Know About YOU - Pittsburgh Portrait Photographer

How often do we really take a leap of faith in ourselves? And how often do we unabashedly, guilt-freely invest in ourselves for something that is purely just to feel good about ourselves? I don't know about you...but it's not as often as I would like.

But can you remember a time you did? Can you remember how that made you feel? Free? Confident? Happy? Gleeful? Sinnnnnnfully delicious? Damn, it feels so good.

You know what's even better than that? Pushing yourself to a place you didn't think you could go, but knowing you wanted to try. That takes courage.

Meet Kelley. She's a fellow photographer, fitness guru, health nut and general all around awesome woman, mom and wife. She's so cool, you guys. She's just lovely, pure and simple. Her photography style is more lifestyle, real and natural..and these are words I would use to describe her style as well. Kelley has a down-to-earth realness about her that is raw and beautiful. She wanted that to come out in her photos.

Then she emailed me visuals of her direction with wardrobe...and I threw them out. They were too "real". They were too "everyday". They were not going to push her at all...and if you know me at all...c'mon...need I say more??

I asked if she was open to my suggestions. She said she trusted me, and folks, let me just say, we made magic. I didn't give her one hint of what I had in mind because I didn't know if she'd push back. So, I decided the element of surprise was the way to go. And it worked!! She loved my ideas. She was so open to allowing me to direct every inch of this shoot. And this, coming from a fellow photographer, is big. It's also stressful. I mean...what if I screw it up?? What if I can't break through because this is what she does for a living too?

Yep--and about 5 minutes in each other's company, well, let me just say it was kismet. It was as if we'd known each other for years. And that's the beginning I'm hoping for. We even threw in a quickie set at the end that just SCREAMED "Kelley". I wanted that for her because, at the end of the day, no matter how far you push yourself and no matter how gorgeous the photos are...you still just need some fun, fabulous photos of the real YOU. Can you guess which ones they are??

She just came in for her Reveal. She was SO THRILLED with her photos. I, of course, bit my nails off till I knew she loved them as much as I did. We agreed: we did it. Together.

MAN, I just love when that happens.

And yes...this last one? You've seen it before, likely on Pinterest. Kelley wanted to try this so bad and who am I to say no? I think it turned out pretty cool!

Blue & black dress: Preoenza Schouler Striped button down shirt: Rachel Comey Trumpet gown: Rubin Singer Clear peep toe bootie: Steve Madden Black romper: studio wardrobe High-necked blouse: studio wardrobe

Makeover by At Home Beauty.

craigphotographyJune 22, 2017Beauty Photographer, Personal Branding Photographer, Pittsburgh Beauty Photographer, Pittsburgh Personal Branding Photographer, Pittsburgh Portrait Photographer, Pittsburgh Portrait Photographer Specializing in Women, Portrait PhotographerComment