Before a photo shoot, I hear this voice inside my head. Megan Barella, who do you think you are? Having pictures taken of yourself like this?! Buuuuuuut I want to I say to myself like a little kid Hard to explain So I toss my hair back Just do it anyways I've always loved photography And angles in pictures Ever since I was a little girl My mom had her 35 mm camera It was like treasure I remember my first camera How exciting it was to get to 24 exposures Drop it off at the drug store See what magic I got back I've always loved pictures Memories still alive Beyond time Then there was that stage Ages 9 to 11 of little me When I wanted to work in the fashion industry Or be a human rights lawyer That princess, girly part of me I stuffed away Primadonna, as my mom would say Girly me always felt a little frivolous Even back then Then I went through it The ringer of life Relationship ended Mom cancer Dad died All my childhood stuff Somehow Put me smack dab back into me This body I call home And I liked her Wanted to honor her. I remembered The power of photography It's in the transformation For photography Gets me to where I want to be Brings me into today, letting go of yesterday. Creating my tomorrow. It's a practice Radical self-acceptance Because the second thought Right after Who do you think you are? What if you don't like the way you look? But it's the way you look I say to me That's that It's me. Simply me. Why I do photo shoots And you can too It's humbling Centering Capture today Move you into tomorrow Because beauty is soul-deep Everyone's got their own Body to call home Imperfections make us real Photography Art of power To capture the moment And create our reality ************************ Special, special thanks to Rachel Hardiashar: Photographer of Creative People who is tres talented with her camera and a blast to work with. And she is intelligent, witty & funny to boot. I am still smiling from our time together. Thanks for making me feel so professional, Rachel. Portland creative people, I highly recommend Rachel's photography work. Find Rachel on Facebook here.
2 Comments
mary kate rinko
5/28/2015 07:39:15 pm
Damn Megan!! Beautiful words - again! Beautiful pictures - as ALWAYS of beautiful you!!!!!
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Megan
5/30/2015 01:10:33 am
Thanks, Mrs R! Came across this great pic of me & you from about 20 years ago- I'll get it scanned in. Love you!
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Mama Megan
Hi friends, I write from the heart to tell my life story, and the story of those in my neighborhood called life. Research shows that our children's emotional & mental health is contingent upon us parents being able to tell our life story, or "coherent narrative." This is my coherent narrative, my life story in the making, with some of what I love in life too. My goal is to share my life in a way that is real, uplifting & positive- sometimes serious, sometimes fun. In my practice, I inspire parents to empowerment through reclaiming our life stories and learning respectful discipline. My work is my offering to our children- our future. Wishing you all a happy family! Archives
May 2021
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