At the end of February I had the pleasure of capturing Jennifer’s Beauty. During the session she confided intimate details of her life and I asked her if she would be willing to share her story because I thought it would be very uplifting and inspiration to every women.
Here is her story:
“I thought I should write a little note as to why I did this photo shoot. Everyone has their own reasoning behind it. I wanted to do this for a number of reasons. In 7 years I will be 50. Why wait and do it now. I had done this at 19 but it wasn’t the same. I hadn’t really lived yet.
I have had 4 babies, all c-sections within a short time span. My body suffered from this and I recently took action and started exercising and eating properly. To me this is a milestone that I wanted to remember. I will take more photos when I reach my goal because, I believe I can do this.
As many people know, it is coming up to my 3rd anniversary since I was admitted to the hospital pregnant with a diagnoses of being bi-polar. I have worked with fierce determination to be stable and I can say it has been 8 months since my last manic episode. I want to show those who are at rock bottom of this “prognosis” that with commitment we can be whole again.
Last year I duct the biggest bullet. A lump was found in my breast. After 2 weeks of tests and x-rays, I was blessed to find out I caught it in time and that it was benign. They operated and removed it and I am happy to say nothing has come back to this date.
I now have 4 healthy beautiful children a wonderful husband, a talk show, a couple of small businesses and a wealth of friends.
Like everyone else, life is not easy at times. We all have our challenges. I have been bumped and bruised, so I am very proud to be able to photographed to remind me of what I have come through after what life has thrown at me. The battle is real and so am I.
The day came when Jon and I went for the viewing of my photos. I admit I cringed. I was scared of what I’d see. A middle aged mother of 4 taking that last ditch effort to hang on to her youth.
What I saw was art. Yes some photos were what would be considered the mainstream of how I wanted to be captured through the lens. Yet, this one photo leaped out of the monitor. I do not know how she did it and nor do I need to know, but at that moment, I saw myself in a piece of art. I looked ageless. I was a woman.
I didn’t realize how poorly I see myself. This changed today. Chantal Benoit is not only a photographer but an artist. I highly recommend her. I also appreciate Jon for encouraging me to do this.”
Thank you Jen for sharing your story. You are an incredible woman and I feel honored to have been your chosen photographer to capture your beauty.
