Thank you, so much, Melinda. 

As you know, I never enjoyed having my picture taken. I would always focus on my flaws, and I was never happy with any picture. 

When I met you at Journey Fitness, I immediately felt drawn to you. You’re comfortable and kind, funny and honest, but most of all, you’re supportive. 

I was on the verge of turning 45, and I wanted to capture the changes I’ve made over the last 20 years. I knew you were the one to do it. 

I was so nervous leading up to it, but with every phone call, I became more comfortable. And the actual day? It was probably one of my favorite days ever. I was pampered and felt like a queen. I felt pretty. I felt confident. And you did it. You captured exactly what I wanted. What I needed. And we laughed... we laughed so much!! I will look at my pictures and I will be so proud of the woman I am. Thank you. You have a gift, and I’m so appreciative of you. Much love 

Melinda,

From the moment we engaged in conversation I knew I could not wait to look into your lens. Your passion for the art of photography and your vision are both truly incredible but it wasn’t until I met you face to face that I knew you really had a gift, one to share with the world!

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Your compassion, empathy, inspiration, and complete engagement speaks volumes and I feel lucky to have had this experience. When people talk about beauty, most only think superficial and external forces of beauty but YOU, you allowed me to feel whole and beautiful despite my flaws and imperfections.... by capturing ME!

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Thank you for your understanding that my many hard days come with hard-fought triumphs. Thank you for listening, for your welcoming and empathetic demeanor, and for sharing your gift with me!

Melinda,

I want to thank you again for the amazing experience you offered me.

Being photographed by you not only made me feel special, it made me feel as though I was the most important being in the world. The ways I am unique became true treasures through your lens and your encouragement, making me feel as though I can spectacularly stand apart rather than hide myself.

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On my good days, I now feel more confident when being photographed. I also find myself willing to take pictures of myself and share them with others, which would have been almost unthinkable before my experience with you.

I don't see myself as transformed by my experience with you, but I do see it as a crucial and much-needed part of my journey.

It's time to be celebrated.  

People think I am strong and outgoing. In reality, I am shy and very self-conscious. A friend talked me into looking into this photoshoot with Melinda.

I'm so glad I did.

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Melinda is very enthusiastic, encouraging, uplifting, supportive, and fun.  She made me feel at ease and special from the moment we first spoke. 

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She is so outgoing and inspiring, she sees the beauty in everyone and everything. She can make magic with her camera. She made me feel so at ease and comfortable through every step of the shoot, it was fun and inspiring. 

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The week prior to the shoot there were things going on in my life I actually considered canceling. Melinda brightened my day and picked up my spirit, made me laugh and showed me that every day can be a special day. Melinda made the day about me, and showed she genuinely enjoyed working with me. Melinda made me feel special and pretty.

Melinda is a woman who sees into your soul and brings out your unique beauty. She is so very inspiring, kind and sweet. 

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Every woman should see herself as Melinda sees her. Actually, every person should.

I was given a gift today.   
      I  had the viewing of the pictures from my first professional photoshoot with Melinda Fox of Fox Photography.  Nervous with anticipation (and a bit of fear), I sat next to Melinda and watched the slide show she created for me ... then... a couple photos in:  BAM!!!  My breath was taken away and tears filled my eyes.  Photo after photo, all of this natural beauty and true happiness I was seeing was actually ME.   Yes.  I straight up ugly cried ~ seeing for the first time what those that Love me see.
       My gosh.    
      THAT was actually ME!!  

      By the time we were finished, I felt a release in my chest as all the harsh hateful words my ex husband used to throw at me melted away.  They were all lies!!   I now feel a freedom to be me ~ to love myself as a perfect child of God and to clearly see who *I AM*!!!      

     Getting rid of self-judgment & criticisms from years of verbal abuse IS  a huge thing for anyone.  To ignore the ideals of what our media claims beauty to be is also huge for many women.  For me, that was the easy part.   I've never conformed to such media based society standards anyway.   It was that daily abuse that had beat my self-esteem into the pits.  But with years of soul-work and now this experience, I can say loud & clear;  NOT ANYMORE!!    

     Embraced, Encouraged and Loved by many friends like Bethany and Melinda has given me back so much of myself, I can't even express all of the gratitude I'm feeling.   

     This experience though from the pampering and support the day of the shoot till today's reveal has been surreal.   I AM forever grateful. I wish for all women to feel such awe, inspiration, and love for who they are.    

  I  can only hope that my experience can help others....  to know and love who you are.