It all started with construction paper and excessive amounts of tape as a young kiddo. These days as an adult (sort of! Ha!) I express my creativity through photography. Every day I wake up grateful that my creative side meshes so well with my passion for people and turned into this dream into a career.
Victoria’s session was amazing and I’m so happy she wanted to be part of my project Colors of Your Heart. If you are not familiar with this project Please check out this previous blog post to find out the whole story behind this project.
The short and sweet summary is that I want to help women empower other women, to show their true colors and their inner beauty. Read on to learn all about Victoria!
Question: What do you love most about yourself?
Answer: I’m outgoing, friendly, and love people. It makes life so much more fun and interesting!
Q: What do you do really, really well?
A: I enjoy making people more comfortable in new or stressful situations. Helping groups become more unified when people don’t know each other, or more comfortable during times of stress, is important to me and can make a big difference.
Q: What gets you truly excited about life?
A: There is so much to learn, see, and do!
Q: How do you define your purpose in life?
A: To glorify God. It is all about Him, not me.
Q: What would you do differently in your life if you knew nobody would judge you?
A: I would sing more. Everywhere! All the time. I would sing, sing, sing!
Q: What does success look like to you?
A: To me, success is being responsible using the gifts God has given you, wholeheartedly, and growing in your strengths and weaknesses both.
Q: What motivates you to do your very best?
A: God’s word, which encourages me and is my reason to be motivated. I don’t often struggle with motivation but sometimes have to work on slowing myself down instead.
Q: What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What are you waiting for?
A: I want to see all 50 states. I have been working on it for years and have made it to all the lower 48. This summer for graduation my Dad is taking me to Alaska, so then I will only have Hawaii left! Of course, then I have the list of places I want to explore in more detail, and the Canadian provinces, and…everywhere else. I plan on studying abroad in college to start working on my next list!
Q: What is the biggest obstacle that stands in the way of your happiness?
A: The flip side of being extroverted and loving people is that I can be a people pleaser. Sometimes I have to realize I can’t control someone else’s attitude and let it go.
Q: What color do you feel like represents who you are on the inside?
A: Blue has always been my favorite color to wear, partly because it goes well with my complexion and eyes, and partly because it is cheerful and versatile. Blue makes me think of freedom because it is the color of the sea and sky, which can take you anywhere in the world. I love travel, and I am thankful for the freedom we have in this country to make our own opportunities. More important to me is my freedom in Christ. Because of His love and forgiveness, I know He will make me able to do whatever He calls me to. That gives me courage. The sky is the limit!
Q: Do you feel like others see you for who you really are?
A: Yes, I am outgoing enough and pretty easy to get to know. There will always be people who make judgments only by looking at the outside without ever talking to you, but you can’t worry about what you can’t control. it is my job to be genuine, honest, and to make sure I get to know others for who they really are!
Q: What stops you from completely opening up to people?
A: I try to be genuine and will freely talk about my weaknesses if that is needed. I am not one to wear my heart on my sleeve, though. Privacy is important as well. So I try to do what it says in 1 Corinthians and consider what is good for the person I am talking to. Unless it is my family or old friends–we just blab.
Q: What gives you confidence?
A: God. If He has called you to something, He will make you able. I also think that, like anything else, confidence grows with practice. You have to put yourself out there and do the things that scare you. That is the only way you get better at anything and gain confidence at the same time. I try to stretch my comfort zone.
Q: What piece of advice can you give to other girls and women who struggle with just being themselves and letting who they are be enough?
A: Stretch yourself. Make goals, work at them, and do things. Fix your eyes on God who is your help instead of on yourself.
Q: Do you have any women role models? If so, who and why?
A: I have always looked up to Bethany Hamilton, whose story really impacted me. She was the girl who was attacked by the shark. She trusted God and kept an amazing attitude, working to become healthy again. She just embraced what God brought to her, trusting Him, and kept on living the life He called her to with all her heart.
Q: Is there a mantra, verse, or saying that you use in your daily life that empowers you?
A: My favorite verses are very familiar, but have always meant a lot to me. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Q: What do you feel is the number one thing that makes women in today’s society feel inadequate? What is something we can do to work towards reversing this?
A: I think the number one thing is our own thinking. You are the only one who can change your thinking and feelings. Society will always be full of things that could make us feel inadequate if we allow them to. It is so tempting to compare ourselves to others, but we forget that everyone has struggles and weaknesses. No one has that perfect life we assume is out there. If we remember that and keep our attention on doing what we are called to each day instead of some false idea of perfection, then it would help. Then we can turn around and encourage others.
A huge thanks to Keren Salsgiver for doing a fantastic job on Victoria’s makeup!
@valerieshannonphotography
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Gorgeous photos! Love the way that blue dress pops!!
Beautiful! Love this color based project!
Thanks so much Susan!
She is just GORGEOUS! Inside and out 😀
Yes, she really is! 🙂
That blue dress paired with her eyes is phenomenal! What a beautiful photoshoot. 🙂
Thank you!! And I agree!
Such a sweet session!
Aw thanks!
Love this so much!
I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
What stunning girl and stunning Wichita senior photos!
Thanks!!!