Be inspired

My friend Rianna recently asked about my inspiration for photo shoots and it is a question I usually get from those wanting to be in front of my camera. Inspiration comes from so many places, it may be other photographers or a photo I saw in magazine or online but I love when my models come with their own ideas! My MUA & stylist, Janelle is superb especially when we collaborate we really mesh well together during the production of a shoot. One of my most memorable collaborations was with Nickesha Smith! She emailed me earlier this year (March) and wanted to do a shoot based on her poetry, when I read this poem, I instantly became excited to work with her. She was willing to do almost any crazy thing Janelle and I came up with which gave us some awesome photos!

Here's a little excerpt from one of her poems which we used as inspiration for our shoot!

Am I ready?

By Nickesha Smith

Am I ready? Am I ready?

Am I ready to live this life totally free

Of the mental turmoil that often defines my reality?

Am I ready?

Am I ready to let go of feelings of negativity, vulnerability and insecurity

That affect my personality?

Am I ready?

.....

Can I really trust myself

To step out into new dimensions

Walk in new directions

Stand up for my convictions

Release my passions

Risk my relations

And taste the loneliness that often accompanies those situations?

Am I ready for that?

.....

As I ask God these questions with eloquent redundancy

He softly reminds me

That hurt

That joy

That experience

That love

Were all preparing me to live my life purposefully

Stop questioning, doubting and reflecting, he assured me

I can let it all go and just be free!