Our sweet January bride, Stephanie, left a comment the other day on that awful photo I posted of myself. This is what she said:
Aren’t we funny, when we see ourselves and hear our own voices, recorded? What you see isn’t what I see– I see light drenched skin, perfect curls, and eyes the color of sun on sea water. Someone should make an entire blog, where we add our photos, and other women add what they see when they see us.
And it really hit home with me.
Because she’s right. For my entire life I’ve never looked at my mom and thought she looked fat, but I know that’s how she feels about herself. We see a woman’s BEAUTY when all they see are the microscopic problems. Aren’t we, from an early age, reassuring our girl friends that their hips aren’t too wide, their pants aren’t too tight, their hair isn’t too long, their zits aren’t noticeable? We learn, early on, to only see the good in our friends b/c that’s what they need us to see for them. Because we are ALL just too damn hard on ourselves.
So I want to try this idea. Stephanie’s idea.
Every once in a while I will post a photo or two of recent women we’ve photographed. And I’m going to ask you to comment about what YOU see in them. And if you actually know them in real life, all the better. But even as strangers connected through the internet I know we can all find great beauty in each other.
SO I’ve chosen two women to start with.
The first, is Stephanie herself!
And the next is a woman that might really need a pick-me-up right now. She’s about to deliver TRIPLETS and I know she’s feeling huge and ready to pop!
Angie.
So please leave a comment and tell these women what beauty YOU see. What makes them unique? What makes them beautiful?
Let’s raise each other up! And if you have a friend or family member that needs some encouragement right now, for whatever reason, please email me at jodie(at)freshartphotography(dot)com their photo and I will include it in future posts like this one!
This is such a brilliant and beautiful idea.
Firstly, Stephanie has the most beautiful colour eyes! They are what I first noticed when looking at the photo but closely followed by her lovely smile, she looks so happy and the kind of person who you know you will have a good time with her.
I think everyone will agree with me that the 2nd lady (with the triplets) HAS AMAZING HAIR! Such a gorgeous colour. I’m just amazed by how she looks a few weeks before the birth, just stunning!
Wow… what a great idea!
Stephanie is beautiful… from her eyes to her lips to the perfect curls on her head. I see joy in her smile and beautiful porcelain skin. I see style… I see originality. Glamour. I wish I knew her in person… I know I could add so much more if I knew her soul. 🙂
Angie… it is hard these days to find a woman who is comfortable in her own skin. Angie’s naked face says that to me (I think it’s makeupless, if not, she’s amazing at making it look natural!)… it says she is content with herself and that alone is hard to find. She is so stinking cute with her belly! She looks very healthy and in love with the gifts in her tummy. 🙂
Great idea!
What struck me first about Stephanie was her smile. Her confidence and fun-loving spirit shines through it so clearly. Like I really want to be friends with her, possibly stuck on a cross-country bus ride w/ her or that her desk was right by mine at work because I’ll bet she’s hilarious.
When I look at Angie, the shallow girl in me thinks that if I ever get pregnant, I hope I look that amazing. She looks so calm, given the circumstance, so very gentle in nature, I’ll bet she’s going to be amazing handling 3 at once. I’d also like to know where she bra shops, cuz the girls look good!
Stephanie has such a beautiful smile and such pretty eyes. Angie has such a pretty hair color and complexion. Not to mention she is all belly and will be back to prebaby weight in no time! She is so small every where else!
Stephanie– I see beautiful eyes and a true, ready smile. She has the face of someone who would be fun to hang out with, I think. She looks like she looks at life as an adventure.
And as for Angie– she looks better than I did pregnant with only one! She has a glow that is magical. She looks like someone who can handle motherhood, because it seems like pregnancy comes naturally to her. I think she’s going to be an awesome mom, although I have to admit I’m not even the slightest bit jealous of her triplets! 🙂
Stephanie…I see a beautiful bride excited to see what her future holds with her prince charming. {btw…love the red lip stick, not all women can pull this off as beautifully as you have here!}
Angie…simple, happy mother-to-be anixous to dive into the next phase of life!
I loooove this idea, Jodie!!! I hope you don’t mind if I borrow it!
Stephanie, I see an amazingly beautiful woman. She looks like somebody I want to be friends with. She looks sooo friendly and full of life. Her smile is amazing! Her eyes radiate love and JOY! Sooooo beautiful!!!!
Angie, Triplets??? Wow! You look AMAZING!!!! You look very peaceful and excited at the possibilities growing in your cute tummy. I loove your hair! So beautiful! She has an amazing natural beauty. She looks flawless!
Love this, Jodie! Every photo you post of yourself when you say you’re so tired and worn out, looks beautiful! You have an amazing natural beauty about yourself, Jodie! I love your curls and your gorgeous eyes. xo
This is so true! I bet if we started a blog for this it would be an insane hit!
For the pictures posted I see gorgeous blue eyes and porcelain skin.
Triplets??? I would have never guessed she is so tiny! Her hair is so pretty as well I’ve always wanted hair that auburn.
Jodie this is such a great idea! I’m going to steal it too 🙂 and I hope other women that have blogs/websites will take it and pass it on! I don’t think I could have said it as well as Stephanie but I really liked that picture of you. I think each of us has those feelings about ourselves because we expect ourselves to be perfect and we forget to just be us.
Stephanie’s eyes and smile are absolutely stunning but what I think of first when I look at her is man I bet she’d wear me out. She looks so full of energy and life and I bet it’s contagious!
Angie has that perfect mommy glow. I agree her hair looks gorgeous and as Katie mentioned above…the girls look good! She looks like the woman I could call with those questions you’re afraid to ask just anyone.
Hey, Jodie…
I hope you don’t mind that I posted about your idea here:
http://inspiredmess.blogspot.com/2010/01/shrinking-saturdays-week-2.html
(with links here, of course!)
I want to do the same thing for my friends. I think it’s an amazing idea.
And YES! A blog for this would be awesome!!!
Stephanie is BEAUTIFUL. What a dramatic and memorable bride! She looks like the girl-next-door type of gal but loves to pull out the glamour and drama whenever she has the chance. I envy her ability to go all out with what inspires her. When she decides to do something…it’s all or nothing. Her vision for her wedding was so unique. A creative soul that inspires others. Drop dead gorgeous eyes.
Angie – Oh my word. First of all I know her. And if you knew her you would feel even more powerful and awestruck at who this woman is. She has the most easy going nonchalance about her. She is simple, elegant and stunning. She is intelligent and witty. She totally ROCKS out EVERYTHING that she does. She is mesmerizing to watch. So calm…so cool..and so freakin pretty all the time! And from the day that she found out she was having triplets she has totally taken it in stride. Prepared and ready. In the midst of what could be chaos and stress…she is peaceful, calm and soaking in every miraculous minute of this journey. She is a rock. Strong, sensitive and sincere. She is the best mom EVER to her boys. She is the mom/professional/friend that always has it together. And even when she doesn’t…you would never know it. She is an inspiration to me. And Liz hit the nail on the head when she says that Angie is comfortable in her own skin. And she makes all of her friends feel that way too. She is truly beautiful from the inside out with a heart made of gold. She is truly a blessing in my life.
stephanie has a classic vintage beauty. is she a southern belle? and wow for pulling off the red lipstick. kudos!
and angie – i’ve been dying my hair for years, wanting that colour and the fullness of it – damn! and your skin looks absolutely radiant!
and please do let me know if anyone starts this blog, i’ll subscribe!
have a great weekend ladies 🙂
I’ve been thinking about this, all day and yesterday, especially while watching all of my seventh grade girl students. As I asked Jodie, “How would we move through the world differently if we _believed_ what our women friends said about us?”
What a great post.
Angie: In the first photo, you look tired, and pensive. There is a fullness, and not just in the three new lives you’re carrying. Just the simplicity of the way you look, your beauty: the color and light of your hands and face, the texture of your hair around your shoulders, and your shape… It’s almost sculptural, and really kind of eternal.
I feel like an arts appreciation class could take your shape and your beauty, and the expressions on your face, and do a symposium on the idea of women, and the threads of beauty, myth-making, and life that intersect there. I think of the word *possible* when I look at your two photographs.
Oh, I love love LOVE this idea. It brought me out of my recent lurker status (I haven’t commented in a while here, have I? I ALMOST did after the GO! comment the other day. You know me, huh?)
Anyway, with Stephanie I see such perfectly perfect lips. Look at the shape of them! Wow. And, of course, her blue eyes are so pure and clear. Those two features jump straight out at me.
For Angie, I see peace and awe in the way her lashes are downcast in the first photo. Just knowing that she is the vessel and the portal for three new lives is beautiful all on its own!
I think this is such a great idea!! Everyone needs to be reminded of their beauty now and again! 🙂
Stephanie: Very beautiful! I think she looks so confident and radiant! I love her flawless porcelian skin and strikingly blue eyes! I also think her dimple adds a bit of fun and cheerfulness. The kind of person that smiles at you and you just feel in a better mood! 🙂
Angie: I love pregnancy pictures and she looks gorgeous! I think something about her looks like she has a quirky kind of wit but can handle anything. I think she’s going to be an amazing mom, the kind that makes other moms want to be better! She has a beautiful baby belly that she carries well, she’s a natural! I love her lovely red hair too! 🙂
xo,
Cat
P.S. I found your blog through http://www.inspiredmess.blogspot.com 🙂
Love this, Jodie! Every photo you post of yourself when you say you’re so tired and worn out, looks beautiful! You have an amazing natural beauty about yourself, Jodie! I love your curls and your gorgeous eyes. xo
I know Stephanie, so the first thing I see is a friend, and one smart cookie. She’s right you know, we don’t see ourselves as other see us. In Stephanie’s photo I see true happiness, it’s in her smile, her eyes, everywhere. It’s not just smiling for a picture, it’s happiness and peace radiating out of her. And, of course, the blue eyes and red lips are stunning.
As for Angie: I was in awe of her when you first posted the sneak peek of her maternity session. There are 3 babies in there? Amazing. Her belly looks gorgeous, and full, her face looks serene and ready, and calm. I love her hair color. Also, that tiny little tush…she’s one of those woman who carries the pregnancy only in her belly, nothing else looks bloated, or plumped up. She’s beautiful.
Stephanie: Such a smile – brilliance and joy just ooze from that happy face. Bright eyes, and a sweet “what do you think?” look in her eyes.
Angie: Expectancy is key, of course. A pregnant woman is true beauty in my eyes. I absolutely love the color of her hair.
stephanie! girl, that hair is gorgeous – the perfect color of honey & caramel! and your beautiful blue gem-like eyes tell me that you are generous, kind, and patient . . . even without having ever spoken to you! you were a beautiful bride!
angie! you look so calm and peaceful, even in the midst of not knowing what will happen once those three cuties hit the ground. you have the most incredible, beautiful pregnancy shape. your belly is grand! and your hair is gorgeous!
love this, kim and jodie! great plan!
Stephanie – my first thought before I even read your entry was “I hate women who can pull of red lipstick!” 🙂 She is classy, confident and I bet she is the one who makes everyone laugh. She has such a friendly face that I would feel comfortable talking to her right off the bat. Great hair, great eyes and from what I can see, she’s got great style (those earrings!)
Angie – Well despite her having triplets, I’d kill for that figure. She looks like someone who rolls out of bed looking beautiful au natural. Her hair is amazing and her skin is flawless. She has a very nurturing look the way she cradles her belly.
I love this idea Kim and Jodie because I am always telling my husband how everyone around me is so beautiful. I do believe everyone is beautiful and I rarely see others physical flaws. 🙂
What beautiful women!!
Stephanie looks sooo happy! And full of energy and life. What beautiful eyes and those lips – absolutely gorgeous!
Angie is glowing in her pregnancy. I see a little part of the unknown that the future holds, but the confidence that she will be the best mommy ever to those three little babes!
Stephanie – Electric blue eyes, absolutely charming dimple, Renaissance curls, ivory healthy skin, lips like so many cherries!! Gorgeous cleavage too. Just sayin’. Friendly, open, full of light, overall!
Angie – The most unique color hair, thick and healthy, full of life, like your breasts, your belly, so ready to give life. And it looks like your eyes are the same auburn as your hair, but with a transparency of copper. Your sweet strong hands hold a miracle.
What a wonderful idea!
Stephanie has the most amazing eyes, sparkly and full of joy and laughter, luminous skin – with a dimple no less and a radiant smile.
And the woman pregnant w/triplets (You have GOT to be kidding me; I look like that after a good meal at the Hacienda!) has the hair – color AND style – that I’ve longed for since I was a girl. And her skin is flawless.
She’s a ‘life-bearer’ – and she’s gorgeous!
Since Stephanie’s wedding, I have visited this website quite a few times. The pictures of Stephanie and the wedding are so fun and theatrical. The REAL Stephanie is captured so beautifully in the picture above.
And Angie, this is a perfect moment in your life to savor with these dramatic pictures of beautiful you and your babies. Best Wishes.