"I've actually been photographed 3 three other times," Stephanie said during her consultation. "They were great, really talented photographers. And the pictures were beautiful. But they weren't me. There's something that's missing from them."
Few things make my insides freeze with nerves- this did.
There are amazing photographers out there, ones I aspire to be like. There are photographers out there that have more talent, more skill, and more imagination than I do.
I know this as a fact and I am ok with the logic.
But! Knowing Stephanie was coming to me after she'd already had time with other photographers brought up a lot of what if's:
What if those photographers were more talented then me? What if I repeat those photographers mistakes? What if my style isn't what Stephanie needs? What if I miss the mark?
What if I fail Stephanie and become a 4th shoot that just doesn't work for her?
Stephanie is standing on the edge of creating something new and grand and unique and beautiful. And she's going all in all on her own.
She is a woman bound and determined to make things work. She's a champion of growth and self improvement. Stephanie hunts for teachers and coaches and trainers who can impart their wisdom to her and help her be the woman she knows she's supposed to become.
Stephanie is a champion- that's the long and short of it.
She knows what she wants, she knows what feels right, and she knows when things don't quite line up.
Most importantly, Stephanie cares.
She cares big.
The love she has for her clients, the people who sit in her chair and trust her not just with their hair but with their story, their hopes, dreams, troubles, and challenges. Stephanie truly cares about each one of them.
She loves her current clients and she has heaps of love for the clients she'll get in the future.
That's why this shoot mattered.
Stephanie's pictures aren't just about branding and looking good. To Stephanie this pictures needed to have something more. They needed to be an invitation to future clients that they would be welcomed and cared for. These pictures needed to bring forward the trust, compassion, heart, and enthusiasm Stephanie's current clients have for her.
Thankfully, Stephanie showed up as her genuine self.
She showed up as who she was and that is the bright, sun-goddess of a woman I photographed.
Thankfully, I didn't not miss the mark and this didn't become photoshoot number 4 that wasn't quite what she wanted.
This is Stephanie.
In January she'll be opening Grace Beauty Wellness in Corning NY. This is going to be something special . . . something transformative.
Stephanie doesn't create anything less.
Love,
Melinda
Photography Studio in Athens PA. Serving Athens, Sayre Pennsylvania, Towanda Pennsylvania, Elmira New York, Corning New York, and Twin Tiers area. If you have tips or concerns about human trafficking happening in your area call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.