"I am fearfully and wonderfully made!" That line stopped me as I was reading through a message Faith sent me. Prior to that line, she expressed worries and concerns and struggles but also her joys and hopes.
Her declaration shot through my heart and I knew Faith was going to be incredible.
Faith is on the sunny side of 50, a wife of many years, mother, a grandmother, tireless volunteer for the Special Olympics, and one of the kindest cheerleaders you could ever hope to have.
We spent time talking about colors, dresses, and ideas as we planned her photoshoot. This was going to be something special. Faith had professional pictures done years ago and since has only been featured in the family and group snapshots.
This was her time! This was her opportunity to have an experience that was just about her celebrating who she is. . . . but really it was more than that . . . You see, Faith is rather selfless. She told me that while she wanted this experience for herself she also wanted to be an example to her daughters and her granddaughters. She wanted to show them by example that they are allowed to love themselves, both what's on the surface and what shines underneath. Faith wanted to lead by example and prove that her declaration of being fearfully and wonderfully made isnt just a pretty phrase repeated by a tired mother over and over. But it's a real way of living. It's a way of seeing yourself. It's a way of recognizing who we are and who we will become. "I am on my way to treating the gift of my body from God as that . . . a gift!" Faith said, "We only get one body!" And with that attitude, we photographed Faith.
We listened and learned from her incredible stories. We cried, we laughed, we danced, and we gloried in a newfound friendship. And in the end, we created portraits that show Faith as being fearfully and wonderfully made.
Special thanks to The Purple Iris Boutique to the rental of such beautiful gowns.
Special thanks to Amanda, owner of Vitality, who styled Faith with skill and love.
What an incredible experience this was, Faith! Here's to being fearfully and wonderfully made! Love, Melinda
Photography Studio in Athens PA.
Serving Athens Pennsylvania, Towanda Pennsylvania, Corning New York, and Twin Tiers area.
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