“I wanted to prove to myself that regardless of what I have been through, I am strong and beautiful.”
I’m on a journey of healing and self-discovery after being diagnosed with postpartum depression. I wanted to document how far I’ve come through the dark time and show myself how truly beautiful I am. My photos help me see that I am so much more than my diagnosis. I’m more than just a mom or just a wife.
I am strong and beautiful. So beautiful. I forget that and now I have proof so when my brain starts telling me otherwise, I can stop the chatter and see myself for what I am.
My GRIT&GRACE experience has shown me that I am beautiful as I am without needing to be anyone or anything different. My photos help encourage me to look deeper in myself for confidence because it is there.
My favorite photo is one of me lying naked on the bed and you can see all of my backside. It’s simple yet beautiful in its simplicity. It’s something that I would do naturally and it feels very real. I plan on blowing it up quite large and making it a focal point in our bedroom. Honestly I’m tempted to put it up all over the house! I showed my daughter who is 9 and she asked why I took that picture. I told her because sometimes you need to remind yourself how beautiful you are and she said, “I get that”. So, there ya go!
The GRIT&GRACE process is so fun and gutsy. Betsy coaches you through it all so the time goes by quite quickly. She’s able to coax out parts of yourself that you keep hidden or forget exist. It’s scary at first, but Betsy is so professional and knowledgeable that you forget the nerves and have so much fun.
I am excited to share my pictures with people in my life, especially my family. I don’t look away from the mirror as quickly as I did before, and I think that is something that will go with me the rest of my life. I am embracing parts of myself that I thought I needed to change and that’s huge.
I would definitely do a session again! I imagine it would probably be for similar reasons, but you never know how you’re going to feel later. So, I imagine I might have some different motivations later. I think it would be amazing to document my body over time. I love that I am showing my children that your body is something to celebrate, not hide or be ashamed of. Children start as blank canvases when they are little and obviously are bombarded with messages about their body and other people’s bodies. If I can do my part to show them that ALL bodies are photo worthy, then maybe we can turn the tide a little.
The process was so enlightening and life giving. From the beginning of just delving into your “why” all the way up to the day of pampering, I would love to go through it all again. I would recommend Betsy to anyone as she is so passionate about her work and goes out of her way to make you feel calm and confident.
Are you ready to help show the world ALL bodies are BEAUTIFUL like Miss M??
