This is Me - Casey

______________________________________________________________________________________

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: Casey

______________________________________________________________________________________

Today I’m uniquely powerful because I have really found myself. I’m satisfied for the first time and I don’t feel like I’m missing anything. 

I have learned to have patience, kindness, and forgiveness for people who may not deserve it. 

I’d like other women who are facing the same struggles that I was to know that you need to love yourself and never let someone else define who you are.

Growing up my idea of beauty was that I needed to be perfect, skinny, have long blonde hair, blue eyes to be beautiful. I didn’t think that beauty came from within.

I got married really young, at 18, and had my first child at 17.  

When I was 30 I studied to become a teacher in Early Childhood, which was really scary for me because I left school at 15. I wasn’t even sure if I could do it. When I finished my last semester I got my dream job locally. Then my marriage ended, and it was time to pick myself up and find myself. 

The rejection was really hard but getting to know myself was really fun, it clarified everything for me. Everything has been clearer since I started to get to know myself. 

It was a hard road - SO HARD - but I am thankful for the lesson. My life is beautiful and I am grateful every day. No matter how tiring single parenting and working can feel I know I am lucky!

Being part of this campaign is important to me because this is still new for me. My journey has only just begun, but I can finally see the light. 

I know I am beautiful on the inside, I don’t doubt that. Seeing what someone else can capture of me scares me a little, but I think it would be good for my self-confidence to put myself into a vulnerable situation and see what others can see that I might not.

Walking into the room I felt so nervous, I almost wanted to pull out, I felt ridiculous at the idea of getting glamorous photos of myself. 

Immediately I was greeted by two lovely women, Victoria and Poppy, they made me laugh and feel so comfortable! We talked like we were friends, shared stories and laughed more! 

When the photoshoot started Victoria asked me to trust her, I had to let down my guard. I did and the shoot was so much fun, Victoria is amazing and so talented!

I truly had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was quite nervous to start with! 

Once we got started, I started to feel more comfortable and started having fun! 

The experience was amazing, I never realised I was capable of such a thing!

During my shoot I felt amazing, happy, and a little bit awkward at times. But seeing the photos was incredible, I couldn’t believe they were pictures of me.

After being photographed I feel more comfortable within my own skin. I have always struggled with the idea that I was not a perfect picture, but I have come to realize no one is. We are all beautiful in our own unique way. It’s more about how we feel on the inside which will be what people see on the outside.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Casey was such a treat to photograph. One of the things I love about my job is that I never know who is going to walk through the door. Casey was such a breath of fresh air. Yes, she was nervous when she arrived, but that didn’t last long.  I love it when the babe that I’m photographing is able to fully relax and really express themselves.  That is when the magic happens.  Thanks for trusting me Casey, I love how much you have grown from this experience and how you want to share your story.  You inspire me with your wisdom, attitude, and openness. 

Victoria V x

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.

______________________________________________________________________________________