Your light is my light

Most of my photography clients are women between the ages of 35 and 55. 

These are amazing, generous, intelligent women. There is a beautiful radiance within each of them. 

There is also a frustration that is present in all of them.  

The frustration comes from finally accepting that they are here to do something big and brave and important, but also feeling blocked from doing so. 

A pain that comes from feeling the power that lives within them, but not being able to express its fullness.

One common blockage for these amazing women is a secret unconscious belief that they are not worthy of the FULL spotlight. Maybe a little attention is okay, but not too much. 

They are afraid if they take-up too much space, they will look selfish and self-centred.

I can relate to this perspective. It’s one I have wrestled with for decades myself. 

“It’s not about me, it’s about my audience. I will focus on them. I will take photos of them. I will tell their stories. I will celebrate them.”

There is nothing wrong with this.

But there is a difference between an artist and a leader. 

It is only as I am able to understand how connected we all are, that my relationship with the spotlight started to change. 

I was able to see that God’s light that lives inside me is exactly the same as the light inside you, and that when one of us shines bright we are all lifted.

To provide support to these clients I had to lead by example. I had to show by doing. I had to be vulnerable and real. I couldn’t hide behind my camera; I had to take up more space and step into the light. 

This did not mean I stopped sharing photos and stories of others. It just meant I had to also celebrate and love myself too. 

It takes courage to step into the spotlight. But each time we do, we are giving permission to others to do the same. When they see you, they are actually looking for themselves, inside you.

Your light is my light.