I did it! Here I am practicing what I preach. I am bathing in that self-love without shame.

Last August, I had a remarkable experience of collaborating with the delightful and brilliant jewelry artist Jennifer Dawes Design. (You can view her dazzling work here.) In one week, I wrapped up three separate shoots highlighting her jewels on badass local models (with the help of the highly skilled WINK hair + makeup hair team) all-while dodging some strangely unpredictable North Carolina summer storms.

As the collaboration time came to a close, I began to box up Jennifer’s exquisite collection and was saddened to see these pieces go back to their home. It was then that I got a wild idea, “What if I too modeled the jewelry? I mean, how many times in my life would I be able to stack diamonds upon diamonds for a photoshoot!? After all, the wedding is a month away, AND the images could be a special gift to my groom!”

I called up my talented gal pal (the other Krista) Krista Moll. She came over with her camera equipment. It was raining cats and dogs at the planned start point of the shoot, and I was disappointed and unsure if it would clear before we’d lose the light. The only thing to do was open the bottle of rose. Krista and Krista enjoyed a glass (or two).

After the bulk of rain passed, we headed to the river with now a narrow time allotment; we were eager to eke out a 40-minute session. Taking into the river, I could hear some self-doubt began to bubble (maybe the rose was wearing off) I then had to remind myself, “This is EXACTLY how my clients feel.” Perhaps it is metaphorical about getting into the river, but it cleanses the self-skepticism, worry, and fear. What an incredible opportunity it was for me to step in front of a camera and have my client’s experience.

images captured: Krista Moll
images edited by: Shutter Goes Click