"Stop spending all day obsessing, cursing, perfecting your body like it's all you've got to offer the world. Your body is not your art, it's your paintbrush.  Whether your paintbrush is a tall paintbrush or a thin paintbrush or a stocky paintbrush or a scratched up paintbrush is completely irrelevant.  What is relevant is that YOU HAVE A PAINTBRUSH which can be used to transfer your insides onto the canvas of your life- where others can see it and be inspired and comforted by it."  Glennon Doyle

As women,  we can be so conflicted.  We have a desire and maybe even a need to be seen, to be known as beautiful, but fear holds us back.  We hide instead.  We settle for photos of our children only, thank you very much.  Deep down, we know we need to spend a little time in front of someone else's camera, but what if we don't measure up?  What if we're NOT beautiful?  The lie we feed our hearts is that it won't be, can't be beautiful.  And friends, it is a lie. 

Our exhortation for you today is to see that lie for what it is and stand up to it.  YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL- we've never met any woman who wasn't.  We want to help you prove that lie wrong but it does take some courage on your part. We want to capture your life and your heart so that others can see it and be inspired by it, comforted by it for sure but also so that your memory endures long after this short life is over.  Our children don't live life by themselves, they live in families anchored by mothers whose hearts are split wide open for their children.  That love, that heart is what we want to capture.  The size or shape or state of that "paintbrush" isn't the point- what matters and what we aim to capture is the evidence of kindness that radiates from your eyes, the joy showcased in the curve of your mouth, the love so evident by your posture and poise.   Your beauty is all your own- it is beautiful and it matters. 

So the next time we come around and you feel like you're not picture-ready, remember to give us a chance to help you be your best, brave beautiful self.  Your spouse, your children, the world needs your heart showcased. 

Your joy needs preserving. 

We see you. 

"Be messy and complicated and afraid and show up anyway."  Glennon Doyle