This is me - Debie

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This blog is part of a series based on my This Is Me campaign. It’s a campaign that celebrates you, what has shaped you, and who you are NOW. I’ve spent the last year photographing the courageous women that signed up to be part of it. 

Honestly? It’s the most important work I have ever done.

I was absolutely blown away by how much these amazing women opened up to me. I’m going to share their incredible stories and photographs here in the hope that they can inspire you as much as they inspired me!

This is: Debie

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When I was young I struggled with an eating disorder which made me think I had to be perfect - thin, the hair, the clothes. The high ideal that as a young woman I was expected to constantly achieve.

Now I’ve learned to love myself which I wish I’d done years ago.

My Dad died when I was young, so I was raised by a solo mother who taught us to be strong and independent. 

I got breast implants at 18 - part of the expectation to be the perfect young woman. 27 years later they almost killed me. For 15 years I was unwell but seriously ill for 6 years. I got my implants removed 4 years ago, and left my husband.

I am now well, in remission of a couple of illnesses that can be hard to manage but I believe I have conquered them! 

I now feel beautiful in my own skin. 

My definition of beauty is self love and self belief. Being free to be yourself is beautiful.

Never give up who you are. Believe in, honour, and love yourself completely. 

Beautiful photos are important to me because I just turned 50 and I finally feel free and happy in my life and unashamedly myself. I love that!

I’m unique and empowered. Free!

The shoot with Victoria far exceeded my expectations, was the best experience ever.

It’s lifted my self esteem up for sure. I saw myself for the first time. 

When I saw my photos for the first time I cried. It was a really amazing experience to see myself in that light.

The most powerful thing for me was the truth of seeing yourself and who you are and to be proud of who you have become, because of your life and what you have been through, not in spite of it.

It shows experiences make us beautiful. It’s the most fun, humbling, emotionally healing experience with Victoria. 

Victoria is a beautiful caring soul who puts you at ease immediately, from the first phone call. Right from the start getting my makeup done and making me feel beautiful to the first awkward feeling shots, to rocking the whole experience, Victoria is so lovely. She’s fun and funny and caring so you feel at ease to be yourself. 

I think she captures something in you that you don’t see, and you realize you are so much more than you realized after seeing the photos and the beautiful empowering way that Victoria presents them in the viewing. She is really exceptional, both as a person and a photographer. I am so grateful for the experience and if I ever wanted more photos she would be the only one I would go to.

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Debie was the first woman to sign up and was such a delight to talk with and dream with about her shoot. She had a lot of stuff that she has worked through in her life, but it was her openness and enthusiasm that got me excited about her shoot. It was a privilege to photograph her, and I’m so grateful to her for sharing her story with me.

Do you have the courage to take part in my This Is Me campaign? I currently have a small number of spots available so if you would like to be part of this campaign, I’d LOVE to hear from you! Get in touch and let’s chat.

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