THE ART OF SELF JOURNAL

IT’S EASY FOR HER… It’s easy for her because she has no kids, It’s easy for her because she has a husband to support her, It’s easy for her because she has money behind her already. It’s easy for her because she has time away from her kids, It’s easy for her because her kids are older now. It's easy for her because she is single, It’s easy for her because her family help her out, It’s easy for her because she has hired help, It’s easy for her because she has been given everyt

A MESSAGE FOR SINGLE PARENTS.... Lately some things have shown up for me which has been a huge reminder to own who I am. Others tone of voice, questions asked, the look in their eyes, Have made me feel less of who I am, BUT only because I have allowed them to make me feel this way. I have reacted and made up stories in my head of what their tone, questions & looks mean about me. I’ve made it all about me, Instead of just owning my space, acknowledging myself and letting their

You don’t need to apologise for who you are or who you are wanting to be. You have every right to be, do and have what ever it is you want in this life of yours. Because it is just that, your life. Never apologise for laughing too loud or being too quiet, For talking too much or not talking at all, For filling your day with so much or doing absolutely nothing at all, For going on holiday often and sharing it all on social media, For wearing beautiful colourful clothing everyd

I don’t want to tell my kids they should love themselves I want to show them simply by loving and enjoy who I am. I don’t want to tell my kids they should honor themselves, I want to show them how I honor myself. I don’t want to tell my kids they should follow their dreams, I want to show them by following my dreams. I don’t want to tell my kids they should treat people well, I want to show my kids by the way I treat people. I don’t want to tell my kids they shouldn’t put up

So many woman who steps into my studio says to me 'I'm so awkward in photos, I never know what to do' Which I totally understand. Even as a photographer myself, who know's the drill, I too become very awkward in front of the camera. It's the wondering what we look like through the lens, Is my smile ok, What does my body look like, I hope you're cropping out this and that. The thing is, I will NEVER, EVER leave you standing there wondering what to do. I will always direct you.

More than anything, I would love to see women drop the commercial ideal of what a perfect woman is supposed to look and act like. And know that when they look in the mirror, they are just right, just as they are. The only way to remove this ideal body from your mind, is to shift your mindset, Shift the idea of what perfect looks like, Shift what you now see as important in your life, Shift into a space of owning all parts of you. I’m a firm believer in change what you can if

2000 vs 2018 As I look at these two portraits of me, 18 years apart I look at myself in the year 2000 and have so much love and compassion for that girl. A young mum who didn’t think much of herself, Who didn’t see her talent, her ability, her goodness. A girl who felt broken, uneducated because of the choices she made. A girl who hid away, not wanting to be seen, yet, really wanting to be seen and heard. A girl who had so much love and support around her, Yet she felt alone.

Wahine ataahua. Te Amorangi thank you for trusting in me to photograph you again in a way that speaks to you. You allowed your wairua to come through every image. I'm honoured that you shared your story with me and although I didn't know you many years ago, I can feel the changes you have been through. Being in your presence is both calming and uplifting - so thank you. I first photographed Amor in my 'body diversity' project earlier this year with a group of other amazing wo

Who do you choose to be today? Do you ever ask yourself this questions, Or are you just going from day to day? Doing the same things, Expecting the same things, Acting the same way each day. Speaking the same words to yourself & others. The thing is you get to choose, Every single day, On who you wish to be. You get to change the way you treat people, The way you speak to yourself, The things you do every day, you have the choice to change it up and do it differently. You get