This Is Me - Michelle

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!

My story is very long. I’m a survivor. I kept going and I am here and I am happy.

I am a 43 year old grandmother. My kids are now 23 and 24, and I have paved a life for myself raising them on my own. I’ve had to work full-time and I always made sure I could provide as best I could for them.

My past relationships were never ideal. Abusive and damaging. I have healed and come out the other side stronger than I could ever imagine.

I was always a tomboy and felt I looked like a boy because I ‘acted’ like one. Looking back on photos of me I didn’t look like I thought at all.

I started playing rugby at 30 and met the most amazing life long friends. At 37 I found powerlifting, and I’ve ended up representing New Zealand three times. All while raising my two children and working full-time! I am still powerlifting, and have just started jiu jitsu. 

I had no idea what to expect from the photoshoot. I put all my trust in Victoria & Poppy and I am so glad I went in with that mindset. This experience was so empowering. Victoria saw me and she captured my ness! Poppy worked her magic and made me feel like a goddess.

During the photoshoot I felt Like an absolute goddess! Now I feel so bloody GREAT! These photos are a gift to myself. Something that every woman should do when they are ready. These photos have allowed me to see me. The me that has always been in there and the me I see.

This experience was so empowering. Victoria is so genuine and beautiful and has an insane talent. I felt instantly welcome and at ease as soon as I arrived. The whole experience was perfect! 

It was amazing when I saw my photos for the first time. I am still in shock! I’m still getting used to really seeing myself for the first time in my life. Thank you so much for this beautiful gift Victoria, I appreciate you.

I believe that beauty shines from within. A beautiful soul radiates. We all look different but everyone has beauty in their own form.

Now, I finally think I’m beautiful. It took me 42 years to look in the mirror and think “damn girl you look fine”. 42 years! I wish so much that I had felt this way from a young age.

If you want to feel beautiful my advice is to change the narrative. Don’t listen to that negative self talk - what your mind is telling you is a big fat lie!!!

For the past 18 months I have changed and grown so much. I have done so much work on myself. A lifetime commitment to Me for Me. I spent most of my time alone (still do). and in doing that I have grown and love hanging out by myself. I figured out that I make me happy - never give that job to anyone else but yourself. I stood in the mirror for months and months and told myself I am a babe, I am beautiful and all the other good things until I believed it. And just recently I’ve started regularly posting my weight lifting, something I previously hid away because I was shut down for it.

My power is in my wisdom. Now, I am so chill and so focused, the absolute best version of me that has ever existed.

I used to look in the mirror and see someone completely different. I used to say the most awful things to myself. My internal dialog was horrendous. You’ve got to feel to heal and forgive to live.

Every woman needs to have this experience, because every woman is beautiful and deserves to see it in photo form. Just like I got to. I want every woman to have that feeling.

Give this gift to yourself. To feel as beautiful as you are is something I will always be grateful for. Thanks so much Vic. I am so grateful to you and what you have created for me.

So here I am. The best version I have ever been. Under my skin and outside it. The most authentic Mitchy that’s ever existed.

This is Me. I see her now.

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.

Thank you so much to Poppy for her amazing hair and makeup skills, and for always helping my wahine feel at home in the studio