STRONG AND BEAUTIFUL | PERSONAL

when we started planning this just-for-fun photography shoot, Nicole and i went in with very little in the way of a plan.  while we always have some sort of an idea of what we’ll try, we have found that sometimes we work best when left to explore and create in the moment.  so we entered into the shoot with this:  Nicole was going to shave her head, get some awesome makeup done, and we were going to do some fun things with studio lighting.  what emerged through our shoot together was an awesome reminder of the strength, beauty, and grace that not only Nicole herself has, but that so many of the amazing women in my life all possess.  it’s easy, i suppose to see this in a model as beautiful and striking as Nicole.  however, as we continued to photograph together, the punk-rock glamour slowly deconstructed, turning into a strength that came not from Nicole’s looks, makeup, or edgy poses… but from something inside.  you can’t fake that.  you can’t create it in Photoshop or cover that with makeup.  it’s real… and it’s in so many wonderful and amazing women.  so to all the women (and men!) out there who may feel beat down, or insecure, or worn, or weary… i truly, sincerely believe in you.  please know that you are strong and that you are beautiful– inside and out.