What Grace Reminded Me About Confidence

We are blessed, or sometimes cursed, with a constant barrage of beautiful stuff.

It's like drinking from a firehose. It's literally so much we can't take it all in.

But what we do take in, what actually does make it to our screens and eyes, that shapes how we see the world. And if our algorithms are twisted in certain ways we'll likely start to see beauty, confidence, joy, and life in ways that aren't . . . quite . . . real.

Grace reminded me that confidence isn't always loud . . . (but she's got personality!)

It's not always flash and flare, demanding to be known.

It's not always glamorous, decked out in the best we own.

Confidence is sitting off to the side talking about how beautiful your friend is as she's photographed.

It's smiling with unfiltered happiness as someone you care about feels special and valuable.

Grace moved behind the scenes for almost an hour before I photographed her. During that time she didn't shrink or fall back into the shadows because the attention wasn't on her. She supported her dear friend, Joyanna, with quips and jokes that were meaningful to their friendship. She saw her friend's joy and added all her support and encouragement.

Grace spoke and laughed and commented with a steady voice not often used by women in their very early 20s. More than once I noticed how her dry wit made her seem more my equal than our 10+ year age disparity would have me assume.

Grace is steady.

She was calm in front of the camera, despite having never been photographed.

She moved easily without getting swallowed up by nerves and self-criticism.

And she didn't morph herself into a warped version of who she was because algorithms told her that's what would be most beautiful.

Grace was herself.

Unshrinking, funny, witty, and beautiful.

And in this day and age, where being yourself runs the risk of online ridicule or in-person criticism, being yourself is an act of radical confidence.

Grace, you are truly special. This world is gonna love who you're becoming. Love, Melinda P.S. If this article spoke to you, perhaps it's time to step in front of the camera yourself.

Whether you're celebrating a milestone, updating your personal brand, documenting motherhood, creating timeless portraits with your daughter, or simply wanting to see yourself with fresh eyes, I'd be honored to create something beautiful with you.

My private portrait studio in Ulster, Pennsylvania was built from the ground up to be a peaceful, welcoming space where women can slow down, feel seen, and leave with artwork they'll treasure for a lifetime.

Proudly serving women and families throughout Ulster, Athens, Sayre, and Towanda Pennsylvania, as well as Elmira and Corning New York.