Laura Ann Photography

A Different Perspective

Stepping Out of my Comfort Zone & In Front of the Camera

Last fall, I met this awesome photographer named Jami Scull. She had recently moved to the area and we started talking at a photography workshop. I liked her right away. We began to get together often and collaborate on business ideas. I learned pretty quickly that not only was Jami a great photographer, she was a great person as well. Her photography business focuses on photographing women: fashion, glamour, boudoir, and fitness. Check it out at www.jamiscullphotography.com.

During our business pow-wows, we kept saying we would photograph each other – she would do a headshot/fashion session with me and I would do a lifestyle session with her and her family. I kept putting the idea off because being a shyer person, I am much happier behind the lens. I reluctantly agreed anyway and started shopping for some clothes – I knew I had nothing appropriate to wear. Jami helped me with ideas for what would work well. She helped me shop in my own closet and online.

As the session date approached, I made an appointment with my awesome hair stylist, Britney Tomic from Textures, to have my hair touched up and trimmed. We also set up an appointment to have her style my hair on the morning of the session. I did my own make-up after I arrived for the session.  Being newer to this area, Jami is still looking for a make-up artist to use for her client’s sessions. (If you know someone available, please let Jami or I know!)

The session date finally arrived and I was incredibly nervous about the whole thing. As a mother of three, wife of almost 12 years, in my mid-thirties, it was hard to think of myself having this sort of photography session. (Or really any type of session that didn’t involve my children or my family.) Many of you that know me well, know how hard it was for me when I turned 35. I was at a point in my life, where I was trying to figure out who I was, aside from a wife and a mother. I, like many mothers tend to do, had been putting myself last for a long time. (But I digress, that is a post for another time, perhaps.)

It was hard for me to imagine that after my body had changed from aging and from carrying said three children that I could still look as beautiful as some of the woman I saw on Jami’s website. That being said, I have also been working out like crazy at my favorite place, Excel Body Fitness (www.excelbodyfitness.com), for over a year and half and am proud of that accomplishment. Two years ago, I couldn’t even do one sit-up and so far this year, I’ve already done two half-marathons and feel stronger than ever. (Kickboxing anyone??? It’s my favorite!)

None of that mattered once I arrived for the session, though. Jami immediately put me at ease. She is very easy going and everything was low stress and comfortable. We got started right away. She used a few different lighting set-ups and backdrops and I changed a few times (making use of almost all the outfits and accessories that I brought.) She also did a variety of poses with me.

A note on posing – some might say it’s not important because I am petite and skinny. I say, posing is everything, even for petite, little me! It was a mini-workout to hold some of the poses, but it translates onto the camera so well. If you are reading this thinking, for whatever reason, you would never do pictures like this of yourself because you want to lose ten pounds. Don't put it off, just do it with Jami – she knows how to take the shots that will make you look your best. We ALL have spots that we want to hide and a photographer that can pose you well is KEY!!

I left the session feeling like it went really well. I was excited and nervous to see the results, but I knew that they would be great. A couple weeks after the session, I met up with Jami to view my images. She had put them into a slideshow that we watched together.

i.was.floored.

I mean, I was amazed at how AWESOME they were. My husband tells me daily how beautiful I am, but normally, I reply with some snarky comment like, “Oh sure, I’m beautiful in my stinky clothes from the gym this morning when I haven’t showered and my greasy hair is in a lovely ponytail with stuff sticking out all over the place.” It’s hard to feel pretty when that is your normal everyday look. But when I looked at these pictures, I couldn’t believe how Jami had captured the best of me.

I feel like when I look back at these or my kids look back at these or my husband looks back at these, they will show the best me. As tired as I can feel, as bloated, as greasy, as my wrinkles and grey hairs have started, as I taxi the kids around to a bunch of activities and I complain that time is passing too quickly. That is not who I am right now.

I am blessed and lucky to be raising these three beautiful kids, loving this fun and fantastic man, and being this beautiful me on the inside and outside. I appreciate that I can take my kids to their activities. (Still don’t really like the whole cleaning the house all the time part, but anyway…) I am here with them everyday trying to set a good example and providing them with all the love and support that they need. Hopefully what they see when they look at me, is what Jami captured in these images.

When I think back to my childhood and my own mother, I don’t think about the fact that she didn’t have time to shower or blow dry her hair, there were four of us kids to keep her constantly busy. I remember how I always thought she was the prettiest woman I knew (and I still do!). I WISH that I had more pictures of my mom from back then. I’m so glad that my kids will have these pictures of me. I don’t get in front of the camera nearly enough. I have vowed to try to do it more, but I am thankful that now I have Jami’s images as well.

So back to those images… I cannot even tell you how much I love love LOVE them. I am not embarrassed to say that I look at them all.the.time. I watch my own slideshow a couple times a week. She gave me an “app” of myself that I have on my iPhone. I love it. When you see me, ask me to show you and I will. Then ask me for Jami’s info because I will happily pass it on to you. All of us woman deserve to have something that reminds us that we are as beautiful on the outside as we are on the inside. Thank you Jami Scull Photography! 

Here are a few of my favorites…