A few weeks ago I had the pleasure to get the men and women of The Retreat Day Spa and Salon in Corvallis, OR in front of my camera. We spent 4 days strait of shooting and I can honestly say I enjoyed every minute of it. Everyone was kind and friendly and I got to eat free food which is always a bonus!
What struck me the most, and I don't know if I am going to be able to articulate exactly what I mean here, was the theme of beauty. (Ok, I guess that weak, I mean I was shooting stylists, but be kind.) Here I was shooting all these amazingly gorgeous women (and men) and the theme of beauty was overwhelming. I don't want to write that beauty is not what is on the outside, only because everyone says this. Don't get me wrong, I whole heartedly believe it. I just need a new take.
Beauty is visual. But beauty is not pretty. It is deeper. More lovely. Beauty is watching Sheryl fix a sandwich for me with such precision she could have been a surgeon because she cared that I ate something wonderful. Beauty is watching Debi walk into the salon with a smile as wide the Willamette showering encouragement on every face she saw because she wants them to feel loved. Beauty is glowing as I see Megan overflow with joy because that is who she is. Beauty is listening to Peg talk about her children and in that moment seeing her eyes light up with excitement because her love for them is fierce (and not the Tyra Banks kind of fierce.) Beauty is my husband looking at me with that, "I love you" look. Beauty is seeing my 5 year old deeply hug her great-grandma. Beauty is watching a dear friend be baptized. Beauty is looking down and seeing a baby asking YOU to hold her.
Beauty is all around us. We have to accept it. We have to watch out for it. Find it. Where will you find beauty today or tomorrow? Look for it. Don't let it pass you by. Take note! And for pity sake... (and I am talking to me here too) stop shaming yourself because you're not a VS model!! Your beauty is deeper than pretty.
