KYB™

Photos by me.  

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)

I'm a day late but HAPPY BIRTHDAY to ME!!!

God keeps feeding me. I keep growing.

praying for many more! - LJK

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

Know Your Beautiful