I need to lose 20 pounds!

Would you believe that this is the Number One thing that women tell me when we are talking about coming in for a portrait session?   It really is!  Followed by, "My arms are too flabby", "I don't like my chin", "No one wants a picture of me"  Well, here is what I have to say to that....


Don't we all feel like this one time or another?


I mean, are we ever REALLY happy with our bodies? I have worked with woman that are paid models and they always have something they are not happy with.  I have photographed women that have worked really hard to lose weight and STILL find a part of their body that they don't like. Society may have a lot to do with this problem but I cannot think of any reason to put off having your portrait made! 


Do you have cherished photographs of your mother or grandmother that are no longer with you?   I do and I love them so much! 


When you are looking at those photographs what do you think about?
Do you think "Oh! This is my grandmother and as much as I love this photo I wish she had waited till she lost 20 pounds to have it made!"? I didn't think so.  And, neither do I. 


And do you think that 25 or 30 years from now your children or grandchildren will look at photos of YOU and think that?  I'm willing to bet money they wont. 


I want to tell you a story about my grandmother...


Let me tell you some of the memories I have of her.  I remember walking to her house for lunch (yes, we could leave school for lunch when I was in elementary school!) and she would have my favorite meal waiting for me - ziti cooked perfectly, with butter and tomato soup (or Ragu) with just enough pepper sprinkled on top.  She would sit and have lunch with me and talk about my day.  I can still remember the smell of the kitchen when I would walk in.


She could read me like a book.  She knew when I was having an "off" day and if something was bothering me, and I knew I could tell her anything!  I remember that she called me "Doll".  Funny thing is, I never thought much about it until recently.  I was talking to someone at a meeting I was at and an older gentleman that I have known for a long time and he called me "Doll".  And, it made me stop in my tracks.  No one had called me that since she passed away 12 years ago. And again, the memory came back to me and I realized I missed hearing her say it.


There are so many memories that I have of her and I love that... but what I don't have is many photographs of her in her older years.  The reason is because she had Severe Reumatoid Arthritis and she hated, HATED being photographed because of her  crooked fingers, large knuckles and knees!  We had to be tricky when stealing a photograph (as in sitting the camera in my lap in her direction and HOPE that when I click the shutter she wouldn't notice)  of her because if she had ANY clue we had a camera out she would hold her hands over her face and block you from getting one!


This photograph below was taken at my wedding of her and my grandfather.  It is one of the most treasured photos of her.  It was taken by my wedding photographer.  It might be one of the last "formal" portraits of her that was taken.  If you look close she is trying to hide her hands and she forced that smile!  And, she is probably rolling in her grave that I am sharing this photo with the world (and I am sorry about that Nana) but the truth is I loved her for who she was, large knuckles, crooked fingers and all!

That was the grandmother I loved! And no, it didn't make me love her any less!  In fact, I love that I have that one photograph of her that was HER - the way I remember her! 


The truth is, One day, someone is going looking for a portrait of you and what will they find?  Will they find a snapshot from a cell phone that does not show who you really are (if it was ever even PRINTED)? Or will they find a professional, well lit photo of you, in clothes you felt great in, that shows your personality and the smile that they remember you for?


Let me do that for you.  I promise you will not regret it! Think about it, than give me a call!


In Love and Light,


Nylora

Why It IS important!

Today I want to share a recent session with you with an important message.


This is Nicole.  Nicole works in the Operating Room at the local hospital.  She called me one day for a session and she was really excited about it.  One of her friends had just come in for a session with me and she told me that when she first saw her friend's portraits that she really wanted to do her own session!  She told me "As an OR nurse I usually head to work in jeans with my hair still wet from the shower. Then when I get to work I change into scrubs with my OR hat. Hardly glamorous. However, everyday when I get ready in the morning my husband says, 'you look nice!' or 'cute' or 'you smell good'. Such a nice way to start the day! (and, yes...I'm so lucky to have him!) I thought "wouldn't it be great to surprise him with a gift of pictures by Nylora". 

After talking a bit more about what she wanted and giving her some suggestions on what to bring for clothes we scheduled her an appointment to come in.  She sent me some phone pics of the clothing once she had it all picked out and waited for the day to arrive!  This helps me plan ahead for the day and keeps things running smoothly!

The day of her session she arrived with all of her clothes, along with clean/dry hair and face and ALMOST ready for her shoot!  Rosangela (my amazing makeup artist) talked with Nicole a bit about how she normally does her hair and makeup and looked at the clothing colors she brought with her for the shoot.  They She got to work!

Once she was finished having her hair and makeup done (she looked spectacular btw!) we chose her first outfit for the dayand we were off!  WE ended up shooting several looks and I think it is safe to say we all had a great time! 


In fact, I got a message from Nicole later that night thanking me for a great day and I was thrilled to see that she included a fun selfie of herself with her kids when she got home.  (Don't her eyes look incredible?!  I love this!)

Nicole returned a few days later for her big reveal session where she got to see the images we got from the day and choose the ones to purchase.  These are a few of her favorites and I have to agree...

She had so many beautiful images to choose from.  It is safe to say that the camera truly loves her.  Nicole definitely nailed this session and I think we captured who she is outside of the OR.  :)


This is what she had to say after her visit.  "I was blown away when I saw my pictures! I originally thought I wanted a black and white picture, like Tracey. However, Nylora brings out the best in each woman that she photographs. We are each unique and Nylora has the ability to highlight your best quality, whether it's your eyes or your personality."


"I've shared one of my pictures at work and I've had such positive feedback. One of my friends said "I just got chills, OMG that it so beautiful!" 


What Nicole then told me gave ME chills because she made an amazing point and knows first hand that most people don't think about this until it is too late.  She said  "I hope every woman goes to get her pictures done to capture this time in her life. Being an OR nurse, I see how quickly life can change, whether from a tragic accident or a devastating diagnosis. I think it is important to get pictures of who you are in this moment. Take a time out for yourself to get glammed up and feel pretty! To see the beauty that is already there!"


The only thing I want to add to this is that your family will appreciate it, and they would love to have a nice portrait of who you are and how they see you to have for themselves for all time! 


Thank you so much Nicole for coming in and spending the day with us.  It was our pleasure to be able to capture something so valuable for you and your family! You definitely Rocked this session! 


In love and light,


Nylora