Hey friends,

I need to tell you something that might sound a little cheesy, but it’s absolutely true:

Every single person I photograph is beautiful.

Every. Single. One.

And I don’t mean that in some generic, “everyone’s beautiful in their own way” kind of statement that people say to be nice. I mean it in a very real, very specific way.

When I look through my camera lens at you, I see something that takes my breath away. And today I want to tell you what I see.

What I See That You Don’t

Here’s the thing: most people don’t see themselves the way I see them.

You look in the mirror and see all your flaws. The things you wish were different. The features you’ve been self-conscious about your whole life.

But when I look at you through my camera? I don’t see any of that.

I see the way your eyes light up when you laugh. The genuine smile that spreads across your face when you’re talking about something you love. The confidence in your posture when you forget to be self-conscious for just a second.

I see the real you. The you that exists when you’re not worried about how you look.

And that person? That person is absolutely beautiful.

The Senior Who Didn’t Want Her Picture Taken

I had a senior session a while back with a girl who really didn’t want to be there.

She told me straight up: “I hate having my picture taken. I’m not photogenic. This is just something my mom is making me do.”

And I could see it in her body language. Arms crossed. Shoulders hunched. Looking anywhere but at the camera.

But here’s what I saw that she didn’t:

I saw the way her hair caught the light. The interesting angles of her face. The intelligence in her eyes. The quiet strength in the way she carried herself, even when she was uncomfortable.

So I started talking to her. Not about photos, but about her life. What she was interested in. What she was excited about after graduation.

And slowly, she started to relax. Started to open up. Started to forget about the camera.

And that’s when the magic happened.

Her whole face changed. Her eyes got brighter. Her smile became real. Her posture straightened.

And when I showed her the photos later, she cried.

“Is that really me?” she asked.

Yes. That was really her. That was the beauty I saw all along.

The Mom Who Apologized for Her Body

I can’t tell you how many times a mom has apologized to me about her body before a family session.

“I’m sorry, I haven’t lost the baby weight yet.”

“I wish I’d had time to get in shape before these photos.”

“Can you make sure you don’t get my arms/stomach/thighs in the shot?”

And every single time, my heart breaks a little.

Because when I look at that mom, I don’t see the things she’s apologizing for.

I see a woman who created life. Who carried a child. Who is raising a family and showing up every single day.

I see the love in her eyes when she looks at her kids. The gentle way she touches their hair. The pride on her face when they do something cute during the session.

I see a mother. And there is nothing more beautiful than that.

So no, I won’t hide your arms or your stomach or your thighs. Because those are part of your story. Part of what makes you who you are.

And who you are is beautiful.

The Athlete Who Thinks He’s Just Average

Sports photography has taught me something important: athletes have no idea how incredible they look when they’re in their element.

They think they’re just playing a game. Just doing what they always do.

But I see something different.

I see the determination on their face as they wind up for a pitch. The focus in their eyes as they track the ball. The pure joy when they make the catch or score the run.

I see strength and dedication and passion.

I see someone who has worked hard, who has pushed themselves, who refuses to give up.

And that? That is absolutely beautiful.

The athlete might think they’re just average. Just another player on the team.

But through my lens, I see a warrior. A champion. Someone giving it their all.

And I make sure to capture that.

The Couple Who’s Been Together Forever

I love photographing couples who’ve been together for years.

They always apologize for not being “romantic enough” or “photogenic enough.” They say they’re awkward in front of the camera. They worry they won’t know what to do.

But here’s what I see:

I see the way they naturally lean toward each other. The inside jokes that make them both crack up. The comfortable way they touch – not showy or performative, but real and familiar.

I see a partnership. A team. Two people who have chosen each other over and over again.

I see the way he looks at her when she’s not paying attention. The way she straightens his collar without thinking about it. The way they move together like they’re dancing to music only they can hear.

That’s not awkward. That’s beautiful.

And those photos? They’re some of my favorites. Because they’re real. They’re honest. They’re full of a kind of beauty that you can’t fake.

The Kid Who Won’t Sit Still

Parents always apologize when their kid won’t sit still for photos.

“I’m so sorry, he’s just so energetic.”

“She won’t stop moving, I don’t know how you’re going to get a good shot.”

But here’s the secret: I love it when kids won’t sit still.

Because that’s when I see their real personality. Their joy. Their curiosity. Their absolute zest for life.

I see the way they run with complete abandon. The concentration on their face when they’re examining a bug. The pure delight when they discover something new.

I see childhood in its truest form.

And there is nothing more beautiful than a child being exactly who they are, without apology or self-consciousness.

So no, I don’t need them to sit still and smile at the camera. I need them to be themselves.

Because themselves is beautiful.

The Senior Who Doesn’t Fit the Mold

Not every senior wants the traditional senior photos. Not everyone is into sports or cheerleading or prom.

Some are artists. Some are musicians. Some are quiet and bookish. Some are rebels who don’t fit into any category.

And those seniors? They’re some of my favorites to photograph.

Because I see their uniqueness. Their individuality. The courage it takes to be different in a world that wants everyone to be the same.

I see the passion in their eyes when they talk about their art or their music or their plans for the future.

I see someone who knows who they are and isn’t afraid to show it.

And that kind of authenticity? That kind of courage? That is breathtakingly beautiful.

What Beauty Really Means

Here’s what I’ve learned after all these years behind the camera:

Beauty isn’t about perfect features or perfect bodies or perfect anything.

Beauty is authenticity. It’s vulnerability. It’s being fully present in a moment.

Beauty is the way your face changes when you’re genuinely happy. The way you look at someone you love. The way you light up when you’re talking about something that matters to you.

Beauty is being human. Being real. Being yourself.

And every single person has that.

The Gift of Seeing

Sometimes I think about how lucky I am to have this job.

Not just because I get to work with amazing people or be at important events or capture memories that will last forever.

But because I get to see beauty everywhere I look.

I get to see people at their best. At their most genuine. At their most alive.

I get to witness moments of pure joy, pure love, pure determination, pure life.

And then I get to capture those moments and give them back to people so they can see what I see.

That’s the real gift of photography. Not just taking pretty pictures, but helping people see their own beauty.

Why I’ll Never Get Tired of This

People sometimes ask me if I ever get tired of taking photos. If it ever feels repetitive or boring.

And the answer is no. Never.

Because every person is different. Every session reveals something new. Every face tells a different story.

I never get tired of seeing the moment when someone looks at their photos and sees themselves differently. When they see the beauty that was there all along.

I never get tired of capturing the love between a parent and child, the bond between teammates, the connection between partners.

I never get tired of witnessing people being their authentic selves.

Because that’s where the beauty is. And it’s different every single time.

What I Want You to Know

If you’ve ever felt like you’re not photogenic, or you don’t like having your picture taken, or you’re not beautiful enough for professional photos, I want you to know something:

You’re wrong.

You are photogenic. You are beautiful. You are absolutely worth capturing.

You just need someone who knows how to see you. Really see you.

And that’s what I do.

I see the way you tilt your head when you’re thinking. The way your whole face changes when you smile for real. The way you carry yourself when you’re comfortable.

I see the things that make you uniquely you.

And those things? Those are what make you beautiful.

The Beauty in the Ordinary

Some of my favorite photos aren’t the perfectly posed ones. They’re the in-between moments.

The mom adjusting her daughter’s hair. The athlete catching their breath between plays. The senior laughing at something off-camera. The couple holding hands while they walk.

Those ordinary moments? They’re extraordinary.

Because they’re real. They’re unguarded. They’re life happening in its most authentic form.

And there is so much beauty in that.

Why This Matters

You might be thinking, “Okay, Alisha, this is nice and all, but why does it matter?”

It matters because we live in a world that tells us we’re not enough. That we need to look a certain way or be a certain way to be beautiful.

We’re bombarded with filtered, edited, perfected images that make us feel like we don’t measure up.

But that’s not reality. That’s not truth.

The truth is that you are beautiful exactly as you are. Right now. In this moment.

And my job – my calling, really – is to show you that truth.

To give you photos that prove you are worthy of being seen. Worthy of being captured. Worthy of being remembered.

Because you are.

The Thank You Notes That Keep Me Going

Remember that wall of thank you notes I told you about in another post?

Some of my favorite notes are the ones that say things like:

“I never thought I could look like that.”

“You made me feel beautiful for the first time in my life.”

“I finally see what my family sees when they look at me.”

Those notes remind me why I do this. Why it matters.

Because everyone deserves to see their own beauty. Everyone deserves to have that moment of recognition when they look at a photo and think, “Wow. That’s me. And I’m beautiful.”

What Happens in a Session

When you book a session with me, here’s what I’m doing behind the camera:

I’m looking for your light. The thing that makes you uniquely you.

I’m watching for the moments when you forget about the camera and just be.

I’m capturing the way you interact with the people you love.

I’m finding the angles and the lighting and the expressions that show your beauty.

But more than anything, I’m seeing you. Really, truly seeing you.

And then I’m making sure you see yourself the way I see you.

The Beauty That Already Exists

Here’s the thing people don’t always understand about photography:

I don’t create beauty. I capture it.

The beauty is already there. It’s already in you.

My job is just to help you see it. To freeze that moment when your authentic self shines through. To give you proof that you are exactly as beautiful as you’ve always been.

You don’t need to change anything. You don’t need to be anything other than who you are.

Because who you are is already beautiful.

My Promise to You

If you ever book a session with me, here’s what I promise:

I will see you. Really see you.

I will find your light, your joy, your authentic self.

I will capture moments that show your real beauty – not some manufactured, posed version, but the real you.

And I will give you photos that help you see yourself the way I see you.

Because everyone deserves to see their own beauty. And I consider it an honor to be the one who shows you.

What do you see when you look at yourself? I’d love to help you see what I see.

Until next time, Alisha – The Camera Lady 📸

To every person I’ve ever photographed: thank you for letting me see your beauty. It’s been the greatest privilege of my life.