One Amazing Friday the 13th

Anyone that knows me knows my fear of the water. I have always wanted to know how to swim, but the moment I can't feel my feet on the bottom and I don't have my hand on the edge, I panic! And apparently panicking is how people drown.

About a month ago, I went to the beach for the very first time, and I had the time of my life. My biggest fear was that a wave was going to pull me in and I was going to die. I wanted to ride the jet ski sooooooo badly, but I was told I shouldn't just incase I fell off and panicked. So, I was sad, but I was determined to come home and take lessons. Well, one week in, this girl conquered her fear of the water. It seems SOOO small to people who can swim, but the older you get, the harder it is in release that fear of the water. 

This morning, I did three laps and I was excited. It made my whole day amazing. Then my mother was proud and she hates the thought of me being in more water than I can drink; so she didn't like the ideas of lessons. But the smile on my face made all of her prayers worth it. 

Then I had a couple of meets and I thank God for the people he brings into my life. My agent was so proud of me for working toward my dreams. I get down on myself because I feel like I should be further in my career and my dreams, but I had to realize I am only 24 years old and have been working on my dreams for three and a half years. 

Today I have the biggest smile on my face knowing I have checked off another thing off my bucket list. Now it's time for a mini vacation back to the beach lol. 

Happy Friday! 

Beautiful As I Am

A few weeks ago,  I was talking to a young lady who was one of the most beautiful young ladies that I had ever seen and had a  beautiful heart to back it up. But deep down inside, she hated herself.  My job allows me to see insecurities that a lot of people are able to hide from the world. We post pictures and status about the things that we want people to see, but rarely do we show the "other" side of ourselves. We post the best picture out of 45 pictures taken, only after we have placed a filter or two on it.  

It bothered me that she wanted to look as perfect and flawless as the girls in the magazines, while she was naturally beautiful just as she was. I wish I could show young ladies the before and after pictures in magazine. Retouching power is amazing. This is what motivated my Beautiful As I Am Campaign. As a woman,who has scars and a curvy physique, I have often times dreamed of being someone else. I wanted to be skinner and prettier, taller and have longer hair, but I finally grew to love the skin that I'm in. I'm beautiful just as I am! 

After spending time with some beautiful young ladies, I realized it's time for me to make some beautiful ladies feel beautiful! This is where I need YOUR help. Send me a short bio with a picture of an amazing, beautiful young lady that you know that needs that pick-me-up or confidence builder. 

And don't forget… YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! 

Email:  Brittany@FigaroPhotography.com
(Shreveport/ Bossier Area: Studio is located in Bossier City)

Website: www.figarophotography.com

Sunsets

Fun fact about me: I'm a sky junkie. I love sunsets, clouds, and all of God's amazing artwork 

Suit & Tie: The Gentleman Experience

Today was a learning experience!

1) I LOVE the look of a Suit and Tie
2) Men don't like to smile, although they have beautiful teeth
3) Men will NEVER say they like a picture, unlike a woman who will LOVE a picture LOL
4) Men work faster than woman
5) Watching a man's facial expression is NO HELP if they like a picture
6) Men will give you "THE LOOK" if the pose looks questionable. :)


I can't wait to finish this series.

Good Night Tears

As I close my day, I remember the days when I was younger and having a lot of teary nights. Nights when my pillow absorbed the pain, hurt, and troubles of the day. Tears from problems with boyfriends, best friends, mean friends, parents, life, and school. There were also tears of joy and happiness. I guess you can call me a cry baby, but tears are the words we cant say. My pillows has been there through a lot of life's good and bad moments. 

As I write this, a tear rolls down my cheek and I look back over my life. I'm blessed. Sometimes we just need to stop and appreciate the things we do have. 

Keep smiling. Keep dreaming. Keep living. Keep loving. 

XOXO 

Racism: Does Color Matter?

After seeing this picture on IG I had to post about this. 

We honestly aren't born racist, it's something society has taught us. 

This is a touchy subject for me, because I would date someone of another race although my parents wouldn't approve. I have never seen color. I was the child that played with everyone. I have always had a white best friend. You probably could have caught me carrying a rebel with my friends. Not even thinking of the separation, just another flag. 

My defense has always been "It doesn't matter what color you are as long as your blood was red!" I love that song because of that line. Color just isn't something that I see. I remember on the playground at Herndon on day, we were like do you taste like vanilla and I taste like chocolate. That didn't stop us from making friends.

 

My mother often says that I don't understand why they still have an issue with something. I can stay that I don't understand. My grandparents are the ones that had to sit on the back of the bus, go into building through the back door, drink out of the blacks only water fountain, or deal with segregation. They fought so that I didn't have too. I appreciate them for that. 

I'm simply appreciating what they did for me. I will continue to love my friends of another race and I pray that they will return the love. 

Love sees no color! 

XOXO 

My Story

Sixteen years ago this year, my world changed. I begged Daddy to let me ride the bus home from school because I didn't want to stay for basketball practice. He told me no, but I kept asking, and he finally said yes. Who knew that less than ten minutes later, my bus would wreck. The AMAZING Herndon Magnet School family showed up and supported me. I will never forget the love that I was shown. That same morning, Dad told me to get my glasses and I forgot. I knew he was going to fuss at me, but thank God I didn't have them on that day. With the cuts on my face already close to my eye, I don't want to think about what could have happened if I had my glasses on. Surgery after surgery, I wanted mom to cover the bathroom mirrors so that I didn't have to see myself. I didn't like what I saw in the mirror but the looks that I would get from adult when I went out made it even worst.
But fast forward to now, I have an amazing story to tell. I know that God is able to do what He says He will do. Thank God I made it.