geniusgenesis

I’ve done a lot of self reflection since I took these photos of myself back in 2014. Never have I ever before looked at these images and thought to myself this girl is brave, this girl is beautiful, this girl is worthy. Let me tell you, she is and always has been. When I took this images of myself I was only concerned with being cool, getting my assignments done and appearing to be an artist. At the time I had no idea how much I’d evolve as person, as an artist, as woman. Like most woman I know, I’ve struggled most of my life with body image issues, self acceptance and knowing my worth. Although I still have days I look in the mirror and I don’t see the best version of me… I have started seeing someone who is on her way to being the best version of her self. She is me and I love her. I have made peace and accepted this flawed person that I am. It has never felt so good to be this free.

To me it actually means you didn’t care at all.

Conference room art #painting #texture #color #canvaspainting #brushstroke #ciel #creativespace #photooftheday (at Ciel Creative Space) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8KKXgNh3Ow/?igshid=bawkwcy0dyuy

Blue #window #ciel #color #texture #mood #stainedglass #blue #azul #details (at Ciel Creative Space) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8DT447BCWI/?igshid=1o6tv29f4oo94

Bon anniversaire @cielcreativespace 💃🏽 It’s been such a great experience connecting with @eileencullen and the @cielcreativespace team this past month. Here is a look back at a few moments that I’ve spent in this beautiful space with some bomb ladies. much as gracias to my lovely amigas @leannahlumauig & @gofitjo for connecting me to such a great studio w/ all the vibes I love. #cielcreativespace #studio #birthday #lifecoach #bts #vibes #womenempowerment #womensupportingwomen #photography #photographer #create #girlgang #anniversary #berkeley #bayarea #happyhour #coworkingspace (at Berkeley, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7-SeZUhQ6Y/?igshid=zg0qi0gqyxz0

Casually turning a quick head shot into a “fresh off the runway look”. @kwesidreams making modeling look so effortless. • • • • #photooftheday #headshot #portraitphotography #allbusiness #model #pose #effortlessstyle #portrait #berkeley (at Ciel Creative Space) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7bwnWYBndh/?igshid=1bjlghzgklqmc

Smiles that make you smile 📸 The best part about being behind a camera is the people you meet & the different paths you travel that lead you to where you need to be. @cielcreativespace it’s always a pleasure to be in your amazing space. @meccaxmedia thanks for sharing your smile. • • • • • • Ps I hate hashtags. I wish they were embedded and not part of the actual post. But I’m trying to be better at actually using them. #saycheese #PortraitPerfection #Portrait_Society #IGPortrait #Portraiture #PortraitOfTheDay #WithHumans #headshot #PortraitPhotography #Portrait_Mood #InstaPortrait #PostMorePortraits #Portrait_Shots #PursuitOfPortrait #PortraitPage #PortraitSociety #DiscoverPortrait #Portraits_Today #PortraitsFromTheWorld https://www.instagram.com/p/B7ZxYxaBQR8/?igshid=13pls7ut952u3

Cyclorama Drama Pre Life Design 2020 workshop w/ @gofitjo & @leannahlumauig at @cielcreativespace 📸 📸 📸 📸 #studio #bts #setup #fromabove #ciel #photostudio #berkeley #workshop #events #soundstage #cyclorama #eventphotography #lifecoah (at Ciel Creative Space) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Sio5DBYkT/?igshid=18domwtj9zmf7

Just some little pots 🌱🌵🌷 #pothead #garden #secretgarden #gardening #filoligardens #pots https://www.instagram.com/p/B7M6hfOh6GU/?igshid=1bf525dwoodm8

I think about you every day. Some days more than others. Some times I go almost all day with out you crossing my mind until I realize you are now in my thoughts. Some days I can’t remember what you smell like, how you feel, or the sound of your voice and it’s like it never happened. My eyes fill with tears when I’m alone because I’m still sad about it. Because it did happen, but it’s truly completely over and I’ll never know your voice, your touch or smell again.

@leannahlumauig Life coach, baydestrian, bad ass, surfer women inspiring other women to be their bad ass selves. #lifecoach #speaker #womensupportingwomen #womxn #empoweringwomen #lifedesign #inspire #connect #buildbridgesnotwalls https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Akm1eB-La/?igshid=tmxxxigie997

Until you walk in her shoes You don’t know the challenges she has faced, the set backs, the falls, the heart ache, the gains & the wins. I had the honor & privilege to capture a womxn workshop over the weekend put on by @leannahlumauig & @gofitjo I got to witness complete strangers allow themselves to be vulnerable with each other about their lives. It was very powerful and at times I had to hold back some of my tears because then I wouldn’t be able to see through my camera 😉 It was really amazing being able to capture these special raw moments. The biggest take away for me was realign that: This life is a journey and no matter what it looks like or how it feels, you are not alone. Thank you @leannahlumauig @gofitjo @cielcreativespace for building bridges for us #womxn keep doing what you’re doing! #lifedesign #2020 #womxnofcolor #berkeley #bayarea #girlpower #empoweringwomen #lifecoach #inhershoes #inspire #connect #buildbridgesnotwalls (at Ciel Creative Space) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6_j_j5BfiZ/?igshid=3qzvm34co9wh

From the archives. A self portrait. If I can go back to the day I took this photo of myself I’d tell this girl: Being an observer is great but don’t shy away from speaking your mind. Stop hiding your smile. You’re not over weight but you should eat better. Find a good facial cleanser. Never get acrylic nails, that will ruin your nail beds. Time is a treasure. Shoot more. Don’t give up. #selfportrait #me #archive #photographer #photography #sfphotographer #bnw (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B652Fv-BLox/?igshid=1j10u61iwxgd6

Hello 2020 Nice to meet you. #nye #allthatglitters (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6yxCyjB7jm/?igshid=1l8yb0fl4q40s

Citrus & peppercorns #repost Styled by the amazing @_olivia._.caminiti_ • • • • #coctails #citrus #freshsqueezed #foodstyling #foodphotography #oldybutgoody #photooftheday #foodie #sfbayareaphotographer #bloodorange https://www.instagram.com/p/B6pQyCBh2Rs/?igshid=gpg8wyv5r4qt

Laughter is infectious. I hope that the new year brings more of it. Let’s laugh our way out of 2019 & into 2020. 📸 @leannahlumauig capturing me post life coaching session. I walked away with a sense of accomplishment & a new friend. #winwin #winnerwinnerchickendinner #cielcreativespace #berkeley #lifecoach #laughter #goals #bts #me (at Ciel Creative Space) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Mv_twBMwa/?igshid=c9du54wjs8zr