{ Isabelle: Be-YOU-tiful Campaign February}

(picture courtesy of Pinterest)

I am so excited to be able to introduce you to my very first {Be-YOU-tiful} Campaign girl...meet Isabelle!

Isabelle is a beautiful & vibrant teenager. She is so full of life, yet not long ago something was affecting her life--affecting it in a way that she was doubting her self, her self worth & her life in general.
That thing was BULLYING!
Isabelle had her life dramatically changed. Things spiraled downward. Not only was this bullying happening at school (rumors, name calling, & being emotionally abused), but things started taking place at home as well. This was emotionally & physically draining for a young girl--who was supposed to be enjoying some of the most wonderful times of her life.
With the help of her wonderful mother, support of family & true friends--she has began a new path in her life--a positive one!
Along this journey, Isabelle has found an outlet...her {Be-YOU-tiful} place!
Isabelle's {Be-YOU-tiful} place is a fantastic stable called Karin's Horse Connection. Here at the Legacy Stables Isabelle is currently working in vaulting...on horse back.
Vaulting, in the simplest terms is gymnastics on a horse--these horses, are the beautiful, graceful living kind."Equestrian Vaulting combines gymnastics and dance on the back of a moving horse at the walk, trot or canter. In addition to being a fun way to work with horses, vaulting helps build confidence,balance,strength and coordination." (Karin's Horse Connection-on vaulting)

 If you would like to see more information about vaulting, or even how to participate...I encourage you to take a look at Karin's Horse Connection or check out the American Vaulting Association.

So every week Isabelle escapes her worries & stresses, by visiting Karin, Leoni (her vaulting coach) & her favorite guy...or should I say horse, Avenir!
Now I am going to let you take a look at Isabelle's portraits from her session...and let them speak for themselves.
Enjoy!!

I want to send a big {THANK YOU} out to Isabelle & her Mom Jeanne, for being such amazing & inspiring people. I want to {THANK} Karin & Leoni at Legacy Stables for being great teachers & coaches--encouraging people in a positive way & bringing a new sport to many who do not know---also, most importantly, for allowing me to photograph our {Be-YOU-tiful} session at their farm (you can like their page Karin's Horse Connection on facebook). I would also like to {THANK} Nancy Metzger with Brittanie's Thyme for being my hair & MUA (makeover artist). Thank you to all these ladies for braving a freezing cold day--I seriously think we picked the coldest of them all--but we made it through (a few numb fingers & toes)& the session came together beautifully!! You are an amazing, beautiful, wonderful & talented girl Isabelle--may you always remember that--You will forever be {Be-YOU-tiful}!!
 Thank to everyone, family, friends & clients for believing in me & helping me give back to others. It is such a wonderful blessing to be able to give to others!!

To nominate someone you know who is dealing with or has dealt with bullying for a {Be-YOU-tiful} session email me at valerierussellphotography@yahoo.com

If you would like to see more of my work, you visit my facebook page:Valerie Russells Photography

To learn more about vaulting or take lessons contact Karin's Horse Connection

If you like organic skin care products, cold/sinus relief or insect repellent visit Brittanie's Thyme

{Be-YOU-tiful} Campaign- A personal project, from the heart~

( All pictures courtesy of Pinterest)

Late last year I was talking with a friend, discussing photography & my upcoming sessions. I wanted to bring something new to VRP--give back in some way. I wanted to do a type of "makeover" session, not quite a "Glamour Shots" type photo, just a session to make someone feel better about themselves--show them they are {Beautiful} just the way they are.
My friend told me about her cousin, a young teen dealing with issues of bullying & low self esteem. She told me how beautiful she was & that her mom could not afford to have pictures done, but she thought she would love to do a session with me.
So the idea was born, plans & ideas began reeling through my mind. What about other girls (or guys)--this issue of bullying has become a major epidemic in society.
Bullying has been around...well, for as long as I can remember. I myself, along with most of you can probably agree that we have each been bullied at one point & time in our lives. It may have been a simple word "four-eyes" or "fatty" or "string bean" or "pizza face" ( believe me the words are a lot harsher these days...trying to keep it on a more PG level here). Maybe you were pushed down, threatened, or teased. I personally felt the effects growing up, as I was an over weight child & wasn't considered "pretty" by society's standards. I dealt with teasing, name calling, dreading certain activities or experiences throughout my school years, not because I felt I couldn't do them--but for the fear of being laughed at, made fun of or judged because of how I looked. Once I reached High School, I realized that "society" did not rule my life--I was the one in control of my life. No, my life did not instantly become perfect because of this revelation--but it now gave me the choice to decide how much "power" I gave to society--or how much {empowerment} I gave to myself. I made choices that made me happy, I chose to be the person who didn't judge, I chose to be a good friend, I chose to be giving & caring, I chose to be {Beautiful} & that was just by being me!
Do I still sometimes struggle--Yes. Our world, our society has not gotten any easier. I see daily, through television, social media, advertising--the "standards" they feel people should meet, the pressure they put on people to be someone other then themselves. Why do we let others determine where " we fit in"?
So now as I parent, I have witnessed an alarming growth in bullying. I have seen the extremes that it has now gone too. Children being beaten, sometimes to death for how they look, dress, act or what they believe in. I have seen children ridiculed to the point of taking their own lives, then rather living their life to the fullest. I have seen children having to be pulled from our schools, moved to a new town--just to try & get away from the bullying.

It hit home for me the most when my youngest daughter was starting 3rd grade. My daughter, by society "standards" inherited my body type--so being like her momma, she was the biggest one in class. She was quiet & shy--not wanting to stand out. The day of her 3rd grade open house, we went to the school that evening to see her classroom, meet her friends & of course meet her new teacher for the year.
As my daughter wandered around the classroom, exploring all the new things, I sat down with the teacher to introduce myself & my daughter. This is the moment I will remember for the rest of my life.
I introduced myself & my daughter to her teacher (as my daughter walked around exploring). Her teacher greeted me & told me she was looking forward to the upcoming year with her students. She also said to me " I feel like your daughter is going to have a difficult year this year, as she is a "bigger" girl & that will be socially detrimental for her." I couldn't believe what I had just heard--did her teacher, the one person I am entrusting my child's life to on a daily basis, to teach my daughter not only math, reading, & writing--but the person who is supposed to teach her "kids" wrong from right--tell me, actually predict to me that my child is going to have a "tough" year based solely on her "looks". I could feel the anger & tears welling up inside me. I held back & was so completely thankful that my daughter was on the other side of the classroom, unable to hear  what her teacher had said.
I left there that evening with a heavy heart. At first I blamed myself, maybe I could have been a better mom--I could have made better choices (food, activities, etc...)and she wouldn't have turned out like me. Then I stopped!! There was nothing wrong with me--I took care of my children, they were fed good food, we did things together, they have friends & family that love them, they are caring, loving, wonderful people--they are perfect just they way they are & I helped raise them that way. I was a GREAT MOM!!
It was society trying to creep in & make not only my children--but myself feel inadequate.
WHY, why is this happening?!!
Why are we determined to find "faults" in others, rather then look for the {Beauty} that lies within each one of us.
We are each {Beautiful} in our own way & it may not fit how society views us--but we are the only ones that can truly give them the "power" to choose how we should be.
So the {Be-YOU-tiful} Campaign was born--a personal project for me.
 I am here to empower young people, or any person for that matter, that society, magazines, television, advertising, social media--and most of all BULLIES DO NOT dictate who you are!! This is an opportunity for me to give back to others through empowerment, that smile, that confidence, that boost of self esteem--the {BEAUTY} that truly is THEM!!
If I can help any person, feel better about themselves--then that is the best gift I can receive!

So once a month, I will be posting a blog & pictures from one of my {Be-YOU-tiful} Campaign photo sessions. I would love for you to come back & see the {Beauty} that each of these sessions holds!

If you or someone you know has had to deal with issues of bullying or currently is. And would like them to know how truly {Beautiful} they are--nominate them for a Free photo session & makeover from me. Email me at valerierussellphotography@yahoo.com. I offer my {Be-YOU-tiful} Campaign sessions once a month (open to West Michigan residents or anyone wanting to travel to see me).

{ Miss Tinley & Miss Aleah}

How excited was I when a long time friend messaged me, asking about taking pictures of their beautiful girls. We became friends with Tim & Brooklynn when my husband joined the military & was stationed at Ft. Hood Texas in 2006.
Brooklynn was my rock through my first deployment. Always there for support, there to answer my questions & even there when my husband was injured & Medavac out of Iraq.
Her husband Tim, was in my husbands unit & they became good friends.
When we moved home in late 2007 we still stayed in contact. Hoping to see each other again, but as most people know--sometimes Life travels by faster then you expect, families change & grow--you just loose track of how fast time goes.
So when I got this message--I was beyond excited. They would be traveling from out of state to come visit us.
Even though their trip had to be a short one (yes, that fun part of being a grownup--work!)
It was so nice seeing them, meeting their beautiful girls for the first time.Them getting to see how our kiddos had grown & meeting our lil guy, who is 4yrs. for the first time. It made it all worth it--it felt like we had never been apart & was so wonderful to "catch up".
So I want to thank Tim & Brooklynn (Tinley & Aleah) for coming to see us, being such wonderful friends & making it all feel like no time had ever passed!
We will miss them until we can see them again, hoping to make plans for this summer:)!

{Tinley 18mos. & Aleah 6mos.}

Come visit me on FB too!! Valerie Russell Photography

To book a session email me @valerierussellphotography@yahoo.com

Valerie Russell Photography. West Michigan Photographer

{Miss Kendalin :6mos}

Meet sweet Miss Kendalin...those sweet blue eyes just pull you right in.

She was a fabulous little model during her session & as I have recently learned, most 6mos. olds spend a lot of time with their tongues sticking out (it has to be the teething thing & not their way of showing me some appreciation..right?! HAHA.
Either way, she did a fantastic job & I am so happy that her & her Momma made it safely to me (we had a blizzard here & they traveled across the state to come see me).
I am definitely one blessed photographer!

Come visit me on FB too!Valerie Russell Photography

Valerie Russell Photography. West Michigan Photographer

{Miss Audrey}

Sweet little Miss Audrey came to visit me for her 3rd Birthday session!
So much fun & so full of energy--I think her Momma & me were the ones who were tuckered out by the end of our session--but what fun we had!
Thank You Audrey & her Mom!

To see more pictures visit Valerie Russell Photography on Facebook

To book a session email me at valerierussellphotography@yahoo.com

{ Felix: 2 months}

There is nothing cuter then a sweet little baby.

How about a sweet little baby + a super awesome family, who comes all the way from Pennsylvania to see lil ol' me.
I am one lucky girl (well...photographer). The "U" family has made two trips to Michigan this  past year & both times, have made time from their vacations to have pictures done by me.

I first met the "U" family in 2011 & photographed their 3 beautiful girls. Watching their family grow & being able to be part of that is truely a blessing.
I am thankful each day for the wonderful families, kiddos & people I get to meet, while doing something I absolutely love.
I hope you continue to follow me along on my journey!

*see more of my work at Valerie Russell Photography on Facebook

~Jump Start Your Business~

Who hasn't dreamed at one point and time about starting your own business. Doing what you love & being your own boss. But where do you start, do you just jump right feet first & learn while you go--or do you research & study to prepare before you begin?
Either way, I have to share a fabulous way to Jump Start Your Photography Business & the wonderful Crave Photography is offering the most awesome set of goodies to get you going.

(see more of my work at Valerie Russell Photography)

So here is what goodies you can WIN--

-Your choice of a 50mm 1.4 Canon or Nikon lens

-A One-on-One online mentoring

with Crave Photography

-A Business Marketing Set of your choice

from Crave Design

So are you excited yet?!! Well you definitely should be---because it is SUPER

simple to enter.

Just click on Crave Photography-Business Jump Start Giveaway

and it will take you right there--so what are you waiting for--GO!!
Who loves you...oh this girl does.

Good Luck!