This is how I define a Freedom Session: it is a crossing over. You stand on the threshold of something new and free, but maybe you haven’t stepped over yet. You can see who you were; broken, fearful, defined by self hatred and criticism, but that old self is fading away. Maybe you’re crushed beneath the weight of abuse and neglect. Maybe you’ve been betrayed and rejected. Whatever it is, there is something that keeps you from freedom.
And that something is exactly what drives you to make a first step, or a second step, or a one hundredth step. So, with all of the awkward, fearful, self criticism still flapping over you like a worn out banner, you come to the space of making a choice. You can live on the threshold, stuck, or you can live free. This is where your photo shoot comes in. The very last thing we want to tell ourselves is how perfectly designed we are. We don’t want to SPEND MONEY to be the focal point of a camera; to tell our story to the world. We want to be invisible, hiding in the dark spaces we’ve carved out of every hurtful, cruel thing that has been done to us. We’ve grown comfortable in our spiritual poverty. But we were made for nothing less than JOY, healing, comfort, freedom, relationship and complete restoration.
This photo shoot won’t save us. We won’t be set free in an hour, but it certainly will bring our deepest selves to light. You and I will stand in that crummy space together, we will talk and process and find fabulous lighting. We’ll navigate the awkward and the uncomfortable together. I’ll stand there with you because I’ve BEEN there. I’ve been you, on the other side of the camera, aching over the lies that keep me from allowing myself to be whole. I’ve battle the same voices you have, the ones that say, “What are you DOING?”, “You’re going to look ridiculous.”, “Do you really want everyone to see how flawed you are?”.
But when I saw the images, light washed over my darkness. My fear dissolved. I didn’t hate them! In fact, I kind of liked them. Some of them I LOVED. Through the eyes of my friend Cynthia, I saw myself in a completely different light. Freedom.
I’ll do it again. I think Freedom Sessions are altars; markers along the way. Every now and then we cross into something new and there is just no better way to acknowledge and celebrate transformation.
I want to celebrate with you. That’s why I’m sharing MY Freedom Session with you. We’re in this together – all the hard stuff and all the glory. I WANT you to book with me. I want the same freedom and joy and lightness I’ve experienced to sink into YOU. So, don’t hesitate. Bring all your fear and shame and gunk with you. Throw them on the altar and watch them burn in the light of freedom.
{Photos of courtesy of Cynthia at Raven Mad Photography}
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