Tell me about yourself.

I am a mom, a wife, a part time student, I was just promoted into a new position at work (the Director of Data Analytics and eDiscovery Case Management), I am an introvert (although most people probably don’t realize it), I am a big nerd, and whenever I have a few minutes of quiet time I love nothing more than reading.

How has your photo shoot experience shaped how you view yourself?

I haven’t felt that beautiful in a long time and some small part of me still doesn’t quite grasp that it is me. But what I think I took away the most from this experience is that what I look like doesn’t matter as much as how I feel about myself. Whether I’ve had a fresh makeover or I’ve just rolled out of bed, I’m still exactly who I’ve always been - a smart, talented, beautiful, worthy woman.

What message would you like to give other women that are going through a difficult time in life and might not feel worthy?

I will quote author Marianne Williamson: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Do not shrink; do not collapse under the weight of the world. Keep your shoulders back, keep your head up, and keep moving forward with the knowledge that you are powerful, you are capable, and you are worthy.

What advice would you give your younger self?

You will go through hundreds of changes. You will face unimaginable struggles. You will fail over again and over again. But in your core, you will always be exactly who you were meant to be. So love yourself and rest easy knowing that each time you rise from the ashes, you do so stronger and better than you were before.

What would you tell other women about stepping out of their comfort zone and doing a photo shoot?

Just do it. It’s worth it and so are you!