There is something special about looking at people through the lens of a camera. And I have looked at many, many women through the lens of a camera. Asking them to do something that doesn’t come natural to most of us. Something that makes most people feel very vulnerable. 

I’ve had women tell me their secrets and greatest fears. Things that they usually want to hide, but are afraid that the lens of the camera will actually capture it. “I’m not pretty. I’m too old. This eye is bigger than this one. My face is not symmetrical. Can you make me look smaller? Can you see my cellulite through my pants. I have these little “eleven-sies” right in between my eyes.” And then even deeper. “I’ll never be successful. My mother in law thinks I’m a joke. My husband doesn’t believe in me asks when I’ll get a real job. I can’t ever stick to anything. I’m not consistent. I feel burnt out. I just sell some little things in a little shop.”

And over the years of working with women entrepreneurs I know that I am not just a photographer. I’m a dig-deep-down, challenge your inner most thoughts and transform you into something completely different kind of a gal. But most importantly with my clients…I’m a cheerleader. 

And as I’ve been doing the work on myself, I came to a realization. I cannot change society. I cannot change the fact that over the course of thousands of years, women have been taught that they are less than, should be smaller, quieter, nicer, wallflowers. So much so that it’s most likely ingrained in our DNA. I can’t change any of that. And I also know that I cannot control the experiences that my daughter has in life. But despite all of that I know that I hold the key to setting her on a different path. 

And that simple key is that I can be an example.

The most important thing that I can do to change the trajectory for my daughter is to show her that I love myself. And in turn, the most important work that I can do in this world is to be an example of self-love so that I can show other women and they can show their friends and neighbors and daughters. 

So you may be saying, Brittany….this is all very nice and well, but what does it mean to love yourself? 

Does it mean that I give myself a hug everyday or soak in a bath or get a pedicure? Are you telling me that by getting a pedicure that I’m going to change the world? Maybe I am.

But I don’t want you to mistake self-love with self-reliance or self-sufficiency. We can take care of ourselves, which is self-reliance, but self-love is the ability to not dissolve into a puddle of shame or self-hatred when we mess up. It means that we can try new things that we might fail at and know that we, ourselves, are not failures. And self-love isn’t actually always easy.

I’m going to break it down into 3 very simple categories and in a very simple way so that you can remember this. 

1. Move your body. (Exercise - Sit up straight). When you get out of that contractive pose, your brain releases testosterone (power hormone) and reduces cortisol (the stress hormone). If you can’t get your mind in the right place, get your body in the right place and your brain will follow. 
2. Become more mindful. People who have more self-love tend to know what they think, feel, and want. Neuroplastic brain. Changing the thoughts in your head. Affirmations. Showing up from a place of love.
3. Practice good self-care. Ask yourself, “what is the kindest thing I can do for myself today?” Go to bed early. Feed yourself good food. Take a break. Turn off that screen. Read a book. Have a laugh. Snuggle. 

BODY. MIND. HEART

This is exactly what I do with my clients. Before they even come for a session I make

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