RAW
adjective
(of an emotion or quality) strong and undisguised.
"he exuded an air of raw, vibrant masculinity"
synonyms: strong, intense, passionate, fervent, vehement, powerful, violent, acute; More
frank and realistic in the depiction of unpleasant facts or situations.
"a raw, uncompromising portrait"
synonyms:realistic, true to life, unembellished, unvarnished, gritty, naked, bare, brutal, harsh; More
antonyms:unrealistic, idealized
When Amy asked me to do this shoot, I was....perplexed. I didn't question it as I whole heartedly trust Amy's vision, but I did question to myself. Why would anyone, especially a photographer like Amy, want to take photos of me. A me with no make-up, bags under my eyes from lack of sleep and blemishes. A me with my hair full of dry shampoo (working mom life here!) and a total mess. A me with no sexy outfits or being posed as hypothetically nude when I actually wasnt? A me that was RAW. Completely undisguised by the amazing artistry that Christian creates to help strong women, feel like the Queens they are. Even as an Ambassador and loving to promote women's body positivity, I still have trouble some days loving the body I am in. Especially when you take away the facade of make-up, hair and outfits.
This shoot honestly felt as my first time. I've done several. All after mid way through the first the nerves had gone. It's an addiction now, you know? Getting all glammed up. Feeling like you can take on the world with your beauty that Amy and Christian manifests and brings to the surface. But this time was different. My nerves were through the roof. Luckily I was there with the other awesome Boudie TrIbe babes that were able to lessen that, but no hair or make-up? No sexy, powerful outfits? No being able to hide the minor flaws I obsess about hiding? What was I getting myself into? The shoot went great. I had a blast as always. The nerves left almost immediately after I was in front of the camera. (No narcissism intended) But I still questioned, how well would these photos REALLY turn out? After I got the sneak peek though.....I have yet to stop looking at them. I look AMAZING. (If you disagree, well you a wrong.) Yes, in some you can see a little eye baggage or a blemish here or a pudge roll. But you can also see more than just physical beauty. Amy truly captured the inner beauty. The RAW, undisguised, un covered by the mask of make up or hair or outfits, frank, realistic beauty that I hold.
I am not one to push shoots on people. (Okay...not totally honest because I do. Not push. Just explain that I believe every woman and man need to feel empowered in their own skin and these shoots do just that and it is extremely important) I do however believe that if you have even 0.01 ounce of question in yourself body wise or inner beauty wise, that you suck it up and take the plunge. Do it. Uncover your RAW , undisguised, frank beauty you carry. You will have no regrets.