“Kira, I really want you to do some pictures for me, but I want to wait to lose some weight first…”

How many times have I heard this? An alarming amount. And you know what? It’s just not a good enough excuse anymore.

I’m saying that more to myself than anyone. Yes, I would love to shed some pounds. I want to be healthier. I want my clothes to fit better. But you know, I’ve been a size 10/12 for over a decade. I haven’t been a size 4 since I was 18 years old. I am ready, finally, to embrace these curves! If we wait and wait and wait to lose the weight then you know what? It’s never gonna happen. So on Friday, I put my money where my mouth is. After a crash course in self timing on my D700 and with my brand new 85mm in tow, I spent some time photographing myself! What better way to exemplify to you that I can make you look and feel beautiful at any size?

On the left is an unposed, head on portrait of myself. On the right is me again but this time utilizing a flattering pose and facial expression. Whoa, where did 20lbs go?! There has not been digital manipulation to the photos to make me look bigger or smaller.

Stepping in front of my camera was not an easy task. Alone in my living room listening for the timer to beep at me so I knew to change pose made me feel silly and slightly embarrassed though nobody was around. I even felt a little, well, self indulgent. As I watched these images download off my camera one by one, I was like, “Oh! Look at that one! And that one! Hey, that’s not bad! I’ll be damned!” That’s right, I surprised myself with how good my self portraits turned out. I had this burst of self confidence that I don’t think I had in years. Before I even gave myself time to reconsider, I posted this before and after on my Facebook Business Page. 68 likes and 24 comments later, the biggest response this little known photographer has ever received online, I knew I had proven my point. We don’t have to be super model size to look like super models, ladies! A little self indulgence is a good thing. Love who you are TODAY and not what you want to be down the road. Whenever it is that you get to where you want to be, then embrace yourself AGAIN.

And that is why you need to let me do this for you. Don’t wait.

Had to post an outtake because that was seriously dramatic for a Monday morning. Kevin came home from his business trip early to find me making what he calls “smokey face” in front a tripod in my front doorway. He took the opportunity to jump in! Let’s just say, he’s not camera shy.

And finally, thanks so much to the wonderful community over at Clickin’ Moms for all the comments, insight, and encouragement on this project. Having such a supportive community as a sounding board for ideas and inspiration has proven invaluable!