Hi there!! Happy Holidays!

#KingMe 

2015 in review!

Based off the blog, we started out kind of rocky. God has blessed my family tremendously. Year end 2014 caused me to focus my efforts on Know Your Beautiful for 2015. I feel as though I have slightly mastered my vision. What's left, is getting more women aboard. I love where my brand is headed. Be on the lookout for me in 2016. Fiyah is coming!! Distinguished is coming. Lord willing, another junior is coming. Thank you for rocking with me this far. I will be bringing photo blogging (phlogging, get it😏) into 2016. I'm sorry for the redirected route we initially took. 

 

Photos by me: PhotosbyLJK 

Instagram: @photosbyLJK

Facebook: Photos by LJK

Clients: Dimitrius and Drew King

S.W.E.E.P - I'm Still a Woman and me, photosbyLJK

http://youtu.be/lVAMQ8OEE6A

I had the opportunity to do a taping with 3 amazing women. Viewing this episode, reminds why I do it. When I feel or look far from my best, when I am at a point where I'm not feeling accepted, I can come back to this. There should never come a time where another human being makes you feel inadequate. Oh, but it will. Know your worth. Set expectations for yourself, that you will not allow another being to tear you down. The Bible says to kill them with kindness, but this here flesh, says to cuss their asses out one good time. Friendships and relationships are so much more than that.

Thank you for shooting with me in 2015. I hope to see new faces in 2016 for Know Your Beautiful. 

LaJune 

What About YOUR Friends?!?

A year ago, I got to shoot a special person. I've dedicated Wedding Wednesday to her and her husband. I think it was 6th grade that we began to see each other as friends. Had we met a year before?!? YASSS. She was short, with long crinkly hair. I was taller with a Jheri curl turned perm. We hung out all the time. We 3 way called.

She lived down the street and around the corner from my hidden crush. She was the first friend from school, I'd stayed two weeks with during the summer break. At some point during my stay, my eyeballs had swollen shut from something. Til this day, we still have no clue. Since I was nowhere near my mother, I was excited that we'd finally get to go to Dance Across Texas! YES!!! SCORE!! Insert every word that shows excitement here. NOPE!! I guess my mom just knew. She called us every hour on the hour to make sure we DID NOT go to Dance Across Texas. I was deprived like that.




In comes high school! She'd gone straight. Still short. I then cut my hair, like a mushroom with back bangs (LOL, to be in her quinceanera. We had bluish-green taffeta, tea length dresses.

I remember my mama making a big deal out of getting the shoes dyed to the same color. Payless had them but I remember us spending, roughly $30. Welp, there goes my allowance for 3 weeks.



Fast forward to post high school. SHE'S still here! We have partied enough for 83,782 single ladies. I recall driving her to see her then boyfriend on his lunch breaks. It was the cutest thing to witness. She was there for me when I had breakups (Red Fez) to dance and "be social". At one point in our lives, we both shared a sweet milestone. We were once pregnant at the same time some years ago. She succeeded. I didn't so much. I remember calling her from California to tell her about my pain. Shortly after, I'd lost the baby. Outside of my husband, she was my first person to call. She is so deserving. Everyone needs to experience love to this capacity. The way she and her husband were brought together was all in GOD's plan. No backstory, but he came along when she needed him most.

A year ago, she made sure I was able to attend her wedding. Chicago living and all. She asked ME, yes ME, to shoot her most precious moment. Honored wasn't even the expression to type. It showed me that she believed in me beyond family portraits. It wasn't my first wedding but it meant everything. I was able to shoot her in the same exact church as her quince, umpteen years ago. Gaining genuine support from people you know is quite difficult when FREE isn't on menu. Deja vu from seven years earlier, I pick her special day to share with her my GREAT news.

That's how much she means to me. As I captured her throughout the day, I just thought to myself, how beautiful my friend looked; how lucky her husband is to have her as a wife. Her cooking doesn't hurt either. My mysterious friend's name is Melissa.

Please help me say, Happy Anniversary (days away) to my friend and her boo, Mr and Mrs Brien McKinzie! I love you both!





PS: They LOVED their wedding package and Coffee Table Book! It is always my pleasure to shoot friends! I feel I will always have a personal connection with them on their special day.

Know Your Beautiful with photosbyLJK

To the plus sized woman, I'm considered skinny.
To the skinny woman, I'm considered thick.
To the thick woman, I'm not thick enough.
...but to ME, flaws and all, I'm just right.

#KnowYourBeautiful

What is your insecurity?

This campaign means so much to me. Women coming together to motivate one another!! We exude growth and confidence, even at our worst!

photos taken by me.
Makeup BEATNESS by Allure Faces by Nikki - DFW

Thankful

This has been on my brain to blog about for months.

Last month, I got the opportunity to shoot my hairstylist. Her support for my business, is overwhelmingly appreciated. Her photoshoot was the MOST anxiety filled state I've ever been in. You know that moment when you're waiting on your clients to pick their photos? Or just view them for that matter? I waited. And waited. It was only an hour but it felt like 3 days. Once I received her approval, I cried. I've cried so many days just thinking about her well being. My thoughts were, "You are putting your vision in my hands. I have to make sure I capture everything you've envisioned."

She is battling HER2 stage 3 breast cancer. I guess you could say it was her coming out shoot. No more wigs. No more hiding. It was time for her to exude every bit of confidence she has. No matter what she's experiencing, she's always extremely positive and full of laughter. The woman still slays while getting chemo, Hunty. As she says, she has cancer. Cancer doesn't have her. As I continue to pray for her health, I am reminded that LIFE is not to be taken for granted. She is also responsible for my photos hitting the WORLDWIDE WEB like FIRE, Hunty, FIRE!! Had we not done this photoshoot, we would have never seen the impact she has made in such a short time. I am so very proud to have done this with her. I am fearless. I am thankful. As I've rebranded and changed my logo, I decided to take the skirt she'd given to me after the shoot and put it on camera one more time.

Keitra, you are a true angel. I never imagined that we'd become so close outside of you snatching my hair. Your soul is genuine. Your heart is amazing. I'm so glad I found you! I'm so glad to be back home. Smell your roses while you can!

LaJune

Photos by me: PhotosbyLJK (Facebook and Instagram)

Know Your Beautiful

I hope to reach many with this movement. If I can change just 1 woman's perception of herself, I've done my job. - LJK

Just Love

This month was about love. That's all. I am now married, 6 years!

R. Kelly, You Can Keep Your Story. I'm Sticking with Texas!

The idea of never seeing snow again is like me winning $20 on a slot machine. I'd be overjoyed. Chicago has been quite the experience. Nothing what I expected. I really and truly thought I'd come to the Midwest, style the "right" client and my Personal Stylist career would take off. Ummm no. We're in the suburbs of Chicago. They don't dress up here. I asked a Limited store manager where I could find really cute boutiques with different things. She told me that they don't dress like that in the burbs. She said, "The suburbs are more laid back. Only in the city." I gave her the look down. She was right. She had no style.

I also had to drive to Chicago to find a decent hair stylist. Traffic. Traffic. Traffic. I took the traffic and the long waits but all thanks to her assistant, my coint no longer wanted to deal. Sorry not sorry.

I lost all motivation to shoot. Guess what, it's cold as hell here. Freezing. Honey, I couldn't do it. On occasion I'd shoot but I prefer sunny and clear skies without freezing wind chills. As we speak, it's freezing. Very sunny, but freezing. Snow literally sits on the ground for days. Why?? Because it's FREEZING!! Looking out the window will play tricks on your mind. The days don't let up either. 10 day forecast is all in the teens or single digit with a (-) in front.

Manners? Southern hospitality? What's that? Nobody says, "Yes Ma'am, No Ma'am, Excuse me, Thank you, You're Welcome, How are you, Can I, May I," nothing. Being polite goes out the door swiftly, here. Funky ole attitudes. I have to tell one of my son's teachers how to speak when teaching my son. He started coming home saying, "Give me" not asking.

I did push myself to do something different. People are usually drawn to me. Not the other way around. I'm friendly but I don't just walk up to people and make friendships. I started a group on Meetup.com just to find other moms with toddler sons. Drew and myself both got a lifetime friend out of that experience. *Pats self on the back*


Only a few weeks left in the Midwest and I have 1 last thing I'd like to do before heading back to The South. Try. Shake. Shack. If for some reason, God leads my family back to the Midwest, I will follow. *Cues Pimp C (Rip), "Big Pimpin'" verse* UNHH, now what yall know about them Texas girls!!

Until next month in Texas: Holla!!

LJK

January to me..

Well, as I sit here typing, I'd like to apologize for setting the wrong tone for my blog. Before I got married I blogged about pre-wedding jitters and irritations. Yes, those blogs have been deleted. LOL! My plan with blogging again was to either pick up with present day or start my photography blog. Yes, I shoot people. With a camera. It's my most loved hobby. I guess I did start with present day. My first blog back, is my life. December didn't end how I planned nor did January start out the way I planned.

My best thoughts occur on the toilet or on ambien. January is very cold. We're not in the south right now. Darkness hits at 4:30. Snow is so overrated. We were that family who at the first sight of snow, pulled our cellphones out to capture the moment. Our son was completely overdressed. Snowsuit, snow boots, gloves and fur hats all for 30 something degree weather. With it being negative something and negative double digit windchill, Texas sounds really great right about now.

My insomnia is back. My nights are long again. I guess the ambien has worn off. I can't wait to exercise again. Running outside, in Illinois, just doesn't sound appeasing to me right now. Middle school kids run in shorts this time of year. Ummm, no thanks!! Indoor exercise is so blah for me. I get bored. I need a change of scenery. January is great prep for our King Black History trip. January is going by extremely slow. I have a countdown that I've started. January thus far, has been a lot of PIZZA! With all of the complications I've had, pizza was just the easiest choice. January has been all about my 2 men. I'm a better woman, wife and mother because of them.

My future blogs will be light and fun again. The best part of blogging is writing what you want, when you want. It doesn't have to make sense. Until February... - LJK

Silent Miscarriage and Cytotec (Misoprostol)

I recently had the opportunity of celebrating a new pregnancy. My celebration ended shortly after my first OB visit. There was no activity with my baby. It weighed in at a week earlier than expected. The anticipation was real. I prayed, along with my son, every night for a healthy baby and pregnancy. I specifically prayed for no bleeding or cramping. I got just that. I had no knowledge of nor any experience with "silent miscarriages". I'd never heard of them. To spare you my emotions, my husband and I decided on the cytotec. This option was less invasive than opting for the D&C. I read blogs on what to expect. I cried because of anxiety. I read more. I'd like to share with you how I spent my Christmas and New Year. This experience is mine. The process is 24 hrs.

To prep, I purchased Gatorade, sturdy underwear, water, peanuts and thick Maxi pads. I had a big meal so I wasn't concerned with dehydration. Wednesday night at 9PM, I inserted the 4 cytotec pills vaginally. I laid down for 30 minutes to ensure they'd stay inside. At this time, I cheated by taking 2 ibuprofen to ease the pain that was coming. No one told me about needing heating pads, blankets, or hot water bottles (I'll explain later). The doctor says it would take 5-6hrs to start working.

Thursday, 2AM, I felt cramps that were mild - something like menstrual cramps. I'd taken 4 200mg by this time. I was bracing myself and praying for God to take it easy on me. At some point I'm about to experience natural birth, labor. 3am comes around. I get up and start walking around because my brain is saying become active to start the process. I'm back in bed by 4am. By this time, I feel a slight burn down under. Diarrhea hits me. I assumed it was because I drank the Gatorade. That's pretty typical for me. No nausea, still.

By 5AM, I am back in bed in fetal position. My legs are locked. The burning is probably at a 5. I describe it as burning because I literally felt like my vagina was going to fall out!! I squirmed from the pain for about 1.5 hours. I'm able to fall asleep all the while my body is contracting.

8AM, I wake up to taking 2 more 200mgs. I go to the bathroom and I had a light blood clot. I went more throughout the day and it was still light. Nothing to soak a pad over. By 4PM the pain had subsided. Per my doctor, the Dosage. Didn't. Work. Yes, I had to redo the 24 hour process the following night.

I've already lost my baby. Let me rephrase. My baby is in my belly and emotionally, I just don't want to go thru this again. I wish I could have passed the baby naturally but my OB informed us that it could happen weeks later, without warning. This entire process has been hard to deal with. I'm a planner and I did everything opposite of my 1st child to prep for this baby, health wise.



Friday morning, I called my family doctor and requested 800mg of Ibuprofen. YES! I purchased heating pads and more Gatorade. I managed to eat through the butterflies. 5PM, I inserted the 2nd dose of cytotec. I placed my heating pad on my back and stomach for the lighter cramps. There's no real change from Thursday's experience. The best part is I still had my appetite. No nausea, Thank Ya!! I'm walking around the house and watching television in every room. In my bathroom, I've set up 5 bottles of water and Gatorade, 2 pillows, and a fan that would be blown directly in my face.

By 12AM, the guys are asleep. I go into the guest room for privacy and to calm my anxiety. The cramps are starting to wake me. I take a pill to minimize the pain. Saturday at 2AM, I fall asleep.

Saturday at 5AM, the gas is unbearable. Cramps and gas are a horrible combination. 5:27AM, I JUMP out of bed and run to the bathroom. As soon as I sat down, my body released diarrhea. Shortly after, I started expelling LOTS of blood and tissue. It was just falling out. No force. No pushing needed. The best visual I can give you is emptying out a pot of loose gravy into the trash and a chunk of meat or 2 fall out. That part didn't hurt. It just felt extremely weird. I looked to see if I could identify what was falling out of me but the toilet was too bloody (watery). I had a hot flash come over me to where I poured water over my head and put the fan on high. My husband brought me cheerios to snack on and opened my Gatorade. At some point I became lightheaded and fainted. Luckily, I was still on the toilet releasing everything. Yes, both. The smell was like death. I awakened to my head resting on the shower door. I was only out for a minute or so. I did courtesy flushing throughout my sit, however, it did noting. As I flushed, it filled. I would say this burst lasted until 5:55AM. I felt a sudden heavy, burning feeling. I was convinced that my vagina was on 17 and had fallen out. I took another pill and waited for it to kick in. I just sat there. On the toilet. Sobbing.

10 minutes later, I cleaned myself up. I assumed the bursts were done. I got in bed and fell asleep.

At 7:18 and 8:20, I had 2 more bursts of bloody water and expelling of tissue. I made it to the bathroom. I'm so done looking by this point. I got back in bed. The contractions ARE ON 28. These pressures are the heaviest and painful for about 2 more hours. The pain was so bad that after praying, I fell asleep. I woke up at about noon to check my pad. I bled throughout the day but never filled a pad. Everything was mostly caught in the toilet. I'd just sit to prevent leakage.

2PM the heavy pain subsided. I've bled everyday, but not at every bathroom break. There is always something when I wipe but nothing hurts. Still passing small clots or pieces of tissue. No sac (that I've seen) has been passed. It's possible but I'm not sure. Minor sharp pains and gas for the next few days. Still bright red blood on my pads.

An entire week later, Friday at 5:40PM, I get another HEAVY, vagina fallout cramp. I pass a clot the side of a coke can top. WASN'T EXPECTING THAT. I thought I was done expelling big clots/pieces of tissue. It may have been the placenta. It just fell to the bottom of the toilet like a deflated balloon. Still, I'm looking thru watery blood.

Saturday, small clots and sharp pain in my side. Just sharp enough to stop and collect myself. Now I've been bracing myself as I pee.

Sunday and today, Monday, I have light blood coming out with no pain. Small tissue but no pain. The blood in color is darker, so I believe the end is near. I hope.

I will update this after the New Year once I've had my followup. Hopefully, I've expelled everything and my period will start again, shortly. I will be back on birth control. No woman should EVER have to go thru this, especially when she is ready to have children. I'm not going to question God's doing, but I will not revisit this again. I have my one blessing. He may be enough.

UPDATE: It's Monday after New Year's. Not everything passed like it should. My D&C is scheduled for this week. I hope whoever is reading this, finds either closure or ease into taking cytotec. It didn't work for me but I'm glad I attempted. Having surgery is the absolute last resort for me. Maybe I should have waited longer to conceive after getting off birth control. I just don't know.


Feel free and share your experiences below. I'm praying for you. I'm praying for your strength to get through this. It's an emotional roller coaster that I'm ready to move forward from. Thank you for your time. - LJK