I Am Enough

Yesterday I met a new friend.  Her name is Maddie, and she is joining Seej and I on our self-image awareness journey.  We are so excited to begin sharing this experience with friends, and I was so grateful for the opportunity to meet this beautiful girl and her mom.  One of my very favorite things about photographing people is seeing all of the beautiful things about them.  As you will see in these images Maddie is stunning, but when I looked through my lens I saw more than this.  I saw strength.  I saw courage.  I saw a beautiful spirit finding her smile.  I saw innocence.  I saw kindness.  I saw a young girl with so much to offer, and I saw an example for so many others including myself.  We decided that the best words for her images would be I Am Enough because although the world may not have Maddie or any other girl her age think she is enough, all of the things that I saw in her face make her exactly that.  She is enough.  She is valuable.  She is loved.  She is worthy of happiness and peace. She is deserving of everything that life has to offer.  She is all of these things wrapped up in one beautiful package and that makes her more than enough.  She reminded me that it takes courage to believe in these words, and the fact that she was willing to wear them proudly on her hand and step in front of my camera tells me that she is well on her way to knowing these words are true.  These words were perfect for her, and my time with her was perfect for me.  I will do better this week.  Seej and I will be joining Maddie in believing that we are enough too because the best part about making new friends is finding their best qualities and trying to adopt them yourself.  Thank you for allowing me to photograph you Maddie, and thank you for sharing who you are.  You are beyond beautiful.

Hair by Rachel from Saloon Hair.