SMILE for the CAMERA!

As you know, I had a modeling gig a few weeks ago. I thought I was a bad-ass, #grownasswoman, going out of my comfort zone and living the dream!!

Well, on some level, I thought I had arrived, but it was not a paid gig and as of today, I have only seen one tiny bit of myself in one of the pictures. The salon has not shared the pictures with us and after not receiving a gift card, a swag bag, or any kind of compensation, I’m not counting on them reaching out with complimentary pictures. So be it!

This girl, stumbled on a “pop up” mini photo shoot and who am I to turn it down? So, you guessed it, today is my “reveal!” The pictures featured are the ones that popped out and I’m here to share with you!

The photoshoot was in Pittsburgh this past weekend, when I was there to see my buddies! So Katie encouraged me to do this.

Putting yourself out there is not easy! Now, I’m kind of “out there” already, as a peacock by nature! However, the camera (like the mirror) does not lie. Striking the poses that a photographer asks you to do are sometimes, not natural for me. Trying to find “my good side” can be tricky too.

I remember getting staged photos with our family, “lower your chin,” “move your left foot forward,” “tilt your head,” etc… All while keeping a smile that looks natural. So when I headed to this photoshoot, I wanted to be natural and was focusing on something for my blog!

Oh…and did I mention that I had not planned on this at all so I had nothing special to wear! I had packed pajamas and jeans because we had two pajama days planned. These photos were going to be super casual, which honestly, seemed more normal for me anyway.

As I followed the balloons to Megan’s back yard, I was getting excited. It was a beautiful day in Pittsburgh and the back yard looked like a little fairy garden…twinkle lights and ivy on the covered patio, sunflower props, bright colored backdrops, and it was just charming!

We spoke briefly about the game plan and what we wanted to achieve which was not much as I had not planned this at all. Lauren was the photographer at Katie & Anthony’s wedding so I trusted her to just do her thing.

At first, it was just shots to get me loosened up and feeling the vibe! Megan put my jam music on…Brick House, Dancing Queen, etc…and then it happened. I was moving to the beat, feeling my groove, and letting myself go. My vulnerable self (yes I have moments of vulnerability) faded away!

Then it was time for props, which for me, included martinis! (sadly, they were fake!) I sipped, I slurped, I chugged, I ate olives (bleu cheese stuffed of course!), and I laughed.

For the finale, Megan suggested the coat of many colors, just for fun. That coat did not disappoint! We ended the photoshoot with hugs and laughter and this gal felt amazing!! Just 30 minutes on a Saturday morning made me smile the rest of the day!

Everyone deserves to feel like a star! Saturday, I felt like a star. Thank you Lauren & Megan for the magical morning.