The most important thing a woman can wear is her confidence...

As some of you may know, I recently had a modeling call for building my boudoir portfolio. Many beautiful women applied, and several beautiful women were chosen. I have had the opportunity to hear many stories of trials and challenges these women have faced, the foundations of life that have made them the beautiful people they are today. My goal is to always do my best and capture not only the outward beauty that makes us say "wow", but to capture the inner beauty that these women all have. I like to think of myself as confident, strong, and beautiful, but in all honesty, I am like many others, I have my insecurities and my weak moments. It's tough some days to "feel" beautiful and empowered when life is constantly pounding you down. It would be so much easier to stay in bed with the covers pulled up over my head and not have to face the daily challenges I have to face, but I know that as much as I may want to do that, there are people that need me, and that is what keeps me going. No matter how much I think life is beating me up, there is always someone I will come in contact with that will be God's way of saying, "It's really not that bad, things could be worse", and I put my big girl panties on and continue on my way.

These past several weeks God has been sending absolutely beautiful people my way, and this past weekend was one of those times that He gently reminded me that I am not the only person in the world that has struggles. When I sent the modeling call out, I was really looking for as many different "types" of ladies as I could find. I always want to push myself beyond the limits of what I think I can do, especially when it comes to my photography. I was not disappointed with the results of the responses of women that wanted to help me build my portfolio! One woman stood out to me from the beginning. In her email, she shared her story with me and again I was oh so gently reminded that I need to suck it up and move forward. This beautiful woman told me of the surgery that nearly took her from her husband and children, she shared with me the 20% chance of survival the doctors had given her, and she touched my heart when she relived her struggle to learn to walk again and to do things we all take for granted, like feeding ourselves. This beautiful soul put herself out there, she took a chance, and I have to say, she made a beautiful subject to photograph! The amount of confidence she showed during our shoot amazed me! I wish I could bottle up her zest for life, her confidence, and her wonderful personality, and give it to those that need it, (including myself!) haha.

I want to share a couple of photos from her shoot that show not only the beautiful person she is on the outside, but, if you look into her eyes you will see the beautiful soul that she truly is on the inside! It's not the date you are born or the date you die, but how you spend your dash that matters. (Thank you beautiful, for showing me what life is all about!)

XOXO-Crystal