#theselfloveproject

Sometimes we need a friendly reminder of self love and being an inspiration for ourselves. Thank you 🙏🏾 @brella.mar for creating such a beautiful vision of what that looks like for me. Your talent is undeniable and endless. I am blessed to be part of the #theselfloveproject. Follow her (if you have yet to do so) and tap into your own inspiration. https://www.instagram.com/p/B5YGN3rlNfF/?igshid=oorxwinpcyhj

The day we shot The sSelf Love Project , the first person Jess and I partnered with to take photos is Dayana. Personalities could not have meshed better to handle the anxiety of meeting and photographing with new people. Dayana told us that she had always struggled with feeling like she could express her true self. To display the fullness of her personality, charisma, and her interest. I imagine that this is something we all struggle with. Most of society demands a level of humility that straddles the line between grace and repression. In such a simple way her struggle speaks to a basic message in The Sellf Love Project: to love yourself you must first accept yourself. Muse: @adore.dayana Casting and production: @tylermnichols Asst: @jessicaannetteprice #TheSelfLoveProject #selflove #bwbanksphotography #bwbanks (at El Nido Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn-Gi2dA4wk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1w1xnhil5zix1

A little over a month ago, I had an introductory meeting with Tyler Nichols who presented an idea for a photo project centered around self love. And, of course, you know me, my ears perked, my radar blarred and I said "hell yes!" She said her intent was to organize a group of individuals who were willing to be vulnerable about their insecurities and their process of learning to love themselves. A short while ago a group of us met at a park in Redondo Beach. We bonded, learned, encouraged, exposed, and photographed. This is Symone. She was scarred both physically and emotionally some years back. Now her scars serve as a reminder of her survival and strength. She is one of the most effortlessly glamorous models I've ever had the honor of photographing. Symone I thank you again for your trust and vulnerability. Muse: @s.slimm Casting and production for "The Self Love Project": @tylermnichols Asst: @jessicaannetteprice #TheSelfLoveProject #selflove #blackwomen #youarebeautiful #bwbanksphotography (at El Nido Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnpd0LrAkvm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ill03eps5ny3

We all have had at least one experience where we have been bamboozled by a man we thought could be our knight in shining armor, or even fooled into thinking feelings were attached to the dates, endless texting, and even sex; just to find it there wasn’t anything there at all. I’m here to maybe save you from future disappointment and even a few tears. Let us get started. First off, you need to establish what it is you’re looking for from a man before you just go out searching for anyone that’s available. Your time is valuable so if someone interests you, you need to find out if they are looking for the same thing as you. Doing this will eliminate any confusion, ONLY IF YOU’RE REAL ABOUT IT. Don’t say you’re looking for a casual friend when in reality you want someone to come home to every night. You will be disappointed every time. Now if you choose to become “casual friends” with someone you can’t feel entitled to girlfriend benefits, stick to your title. You are friends with this man he is not yours, but every ounce of respect should be a standard for any kind of relationship. Before getting involved with anyone on any level, it is necessary to be clear about your standards. STANDARDS ARE KEY and you must stick to them to keep that line of respect you deserve. You first have to respect yourself to demand respect from a man. If you are looking for more than just a one night stand (if you are cool), you cannot give up the goodies before you set your standards, 9 times out of ten it will never go any farther than just sex. I am not by any means saying that you need to make an entire list of things that need to be done before you sleep with someone, but if you want to be respected you need to set someone kind of criteria. An example of a standard I’d set before I got serious with someone would be to know his goals and aspirations in life and what exactly he’s doing to reach these said goals. That is something that is important to me because I myself have goals and I cannot risk becoming unfocused by associating with someone who doesn’t. That’s me though, a standard for someone else could be as superficial as a good morning text. Whatever you decide is tailored to you and what you want from a man. Before investing anything into someone these standards need to be discussed so that there is no confusion when feelings get involved. Please do not go to your person of interest with a list of demands HE WILL RUN! Declaring your standards should always be done in the form of finesse. For example, instead of saying “I don’t mess with men who don’t take me on dates”, say “I really enjoy going to a nice dinner and having intellectual conversation.” Speaking this way puts your needs, wants, and most importantly your standards into a form of give and take. Any man who wants you will do what it takes to gain your trust, your love, but most importantly your goodies. They will do this without making you feel like you’re asking for too much because in reality your body is a temple and you decide who gets a piece of you and what they have to do to get it! Any man that deserves you, will do these things knowing that you are a woman that demands respect, and in return you will not get played. Please don’t misconstrue what it is that I am saying. A MAN who deserves you, a MAN you set standards for, a MAN who wants you, will see these standards you have put in front of them as a challenge and will meet each and every one of them with a smile and a feeling of accomplishment. Last but not least don’t be dumb! If he’s showing he’s uninterested after you’ve had the talk then don’t keep wasting your time on him. He doesn’t have what you are looking for and you will get yourself played like 2k17 all 2017 if you don’t let him go. Also the warning signs are real ladies don’t let them make you feel crazy. If they taking phone calls outside, if you only hear from him 2 days out of the week at the same hours, if he only wants to hang out at his house; IT’S EXACTLY WHAT YOU THINK! If you don’t take the warning signs for exactly what they are you will undeniably get your ass played. See you next week <3