BE UNAPOLOGETICALLY BEAUTIFUL | Modern Glamour & Boudoir Studio
The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other's welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.
~ Derek Walcott
Behind these pink doors is the space where I've designed an amazing, fun, and meaningful experience that will bring out the beauty and confidence of every woman I photograph. This is the space where we will silence the noise of the outside world so you can sit back, relax, and be pampered for a day because you owe it to your self. This is the space where we will celebrate YOU, no matter where you are in life. This is the space for:
• the woman who knows that with age comes wisdom and wants to celebrate her life
• any woman who is not deemed beautiful by society's standards but is proud of who she is
• the tired but proud momma who needs a break from the daily chaos of life so she can unearth the beauty of motherhood
• the busy working gal who needs time out to unleash herself
• the transformed female who has regained her health and spunk by losing weight
• the bride-to-be who wants to wow! her future husband with beautiful portraits on her wedding day
• any woman who wants to reconnect with herself and reignite some passion within or in her relationship
• the happily single or broken hearted who wants to move on
• any woman looking for true love but have yet to find self-love
• the woman who's found self-love and wants to revel in it!
• the young woman in her early 20's who wants to capture and celebrate her youth
• anybody who needs an instant boost of self-esteem!
I see the beauty in every single woman. As a professional hairstylist and make-up artist for over ten years combined with my expertise in photography you can be assured that I can inspire a confidence and comfort in my clients. The result of this celebration will be the beautiful portraits that you have always wanted to have and will treasure for a lifetime! As a working woman, wife and mother of two, I also know what it feels like to struggle seeing and owning your own beauty. That's why I've made it my mission to help you realize and rediscover how beautiful you are, so you can bring out what lies deep in your heart. It's time for you to BE UNAPOLOGETICALLY BEAUTIFUL.
Welcome to my studio!
My heartfelt thanks to...
God. YOU know that becoming a photographer was never part of my plan nor did I ever aspire to become one. I trust that you have brought me to this point in my life for a good reason so here I am...take me where your light is. I'm here to serve.
Jeffrey Shaw. When I first heard you speak at PPA in Arizona I knew that someday you will be the coach cheering me on when this day turns into reality. Thank you for everything that you are; for helping me embrace the beautiful chaos that goes through my mind and turning it into clarity; for silencing the doubts in my head and instead guiding me to the path I'm meant to follow; for helping me claim what I stand for and pushing me to start with myself first. Because of you I was able to fearlessly end my own struggle with being unapologetically beautiful.
Pauline Fredericks. My friend. Mentor. Toots. You had me with that contagious smile of yours when we met almost four years ago. Since then we have not stopped smiling at each other. I love our little virtual pow wows, silly conversations, creative projects and everything photography related we obsessively talk about. Thank you for tirelessly listening to me when I need to be heard, for brainstorming with me when my creative juices are malfunctioning, for constantly pushing me when I need encouragement, and most of all for believing in me the many times I doubted my own self.
To my parents. Thank you for your constant love and support. And for always praying for me! This is for you, papa. When I called you that day and told you I wanted to take a photography course, you never questioned me and just signed me up!
To all my dear friends and family. You inspire me to be the best person I should be. Those of you who have at some point privately nudged me to keep doing what I'm doing, you've helped me more than you'll ever realize.
Tony Haddad, I don't know what I would have done without you the past month. When I told you that I want a special bed built, you made it happen. You've been my partner-in-crime to get everything in this studio set-up and I am so thankful to you for all your hard work. You've become like a brother to me.
To my husband Steven, I will never forget the night we sat at the bar at Alba when you 'rudely' interrupted me in the middle of trying to convince you that I think it's time for me to open my own studio and you said, "Effie! Stop!! You're trying to convince me?!" and I said let me finish, then you again interrupted and said, "NO!" I thought you meant NO I shouldn't do it. But here is what you further said: "No! You don't have to convince me. You're the only one who need to believe you can do this. I know for a fact you can. This is a no brainer, just do it!!!" And so the tears just started rolling down my cheeks. Then, the hostess at the bar walked by and said "You cryin' girl?? STOP IT, you look really ugly when you cry." A few days later I got the keys to my first studio. :)
To my Christopher and Tristan. I hope that this will inspire you to pursue something you are passionate about in life. And that it teaches you that growing old is not an excuse to stop growing as a human being.
To all my past and present clients who have become dear friends, thank you. Witnessing your joy as you realize and see how beautiful you are inspire me to do what I do with such passion.
To every woman who will walk in through these pink doors: I am so excited and looking forward to meet, photograph, and share this journey with you.
Lots of love,
Effie
To schedule a time to chat or meet, click here.
