Diary

Laura is a beautiful soul and I am honored that she chose me to help her through her journey to peace and acceptance. Laura is 60 years old. By sharing her images she hopes that women can accept themselves for who they are inside and out.

Planning ahead for the Christmas holiday Christy wanted to surprise her man with a very special gift. We had a very full day with lots of different looks to fill her album. The flower was a last minute decision on my part, not knowing if she would be up for an adventure, but she was :) It was a challenge getting the poinsettia to stay on her head even with the ribbon wrapped around her head, so I propped the stem on a stool behind her and she held steady as I slowly backed away to shoot.Makeup: Ashlee Bivins, Hair: Heather Valentine Primp Salon, Broken Arrow.

I had met Mrs. A's husband when he traveled to Tulsa for business. A mutual friend brought him by the studio and I gave him a tour around. He told me he would LOVE for his wife to do something like this, but she would never be up for it. I gave him a card anyway and told him I offer gift cards. Several months later the mutual friend had given Mrs. A my information and she called me and scheduled her portrait session without her husband knowing. He was traveling to Tulsa in late summer and she offered to travel along for a short vacation. She wanted to surprise him with a boudoir and beauty photoshoot :)

I have had the pleasure of photographing Alani on two seperate occasions...lucky me :) I title these "Dancing "Queen" because she loves to dance and during her photoshoot she would just dance around to the music between set ups. The last couple images was on location in 105 degree heat and she was wearing a synthetic wig :0. Two of these images hang in the studio.

Every woman should have beauty portraits of herself to share with her loved ones and to exist in photos. A time in her life captured that will live longer in photos than life itself. Don't let time go by and look back and wishing you could remember yourself as you were, whether you are in your 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, etc.... It's never too late to exist past life itself. Leave an heirloom for yourself and your loved ones.

Today is my 49th birthday! A year ago my sister wrote me a poem and now, a year later I re-read and my eyes filled with tears again as I read the words my sister had for me, she knows me so well. This was the most cherished gift I have ever been given. Thank you and I love you sister.

Mika~teenage beauty and hockey player. I met Mika through my son's hockey team. Mika rules the ice and takes nothing from the boys she goes up against. Off the ice she is a young lady with a gentle smile and soft voice. Mika has never had her portrait taken and I was honored when her father brought her to me. I see her as one of the most beautiful young ladies I have seen.

I was so excited when Irina told me why she was having her portrait made, she wanted to celebrate her birthday and the person she is right now. We worked together to design her portraits with flowers, tulle, leather, and props from the studio.

An 18th birthday, the age of adulthood. Kelsey's mom surprised her on the day of her birthday with a portrait session with me. I remember the day of the shoot Kelsey walking in the studio with a blank look on her face and appearing to be a bit skeptical. As I greeted her with a big smile and my voice filled with excitement, I told her what her day was going to be like, she quickly warmed up and headed straight over to the wardrobe rack. I remember thinking back to my 18th birthday and all the opportunities that were ahead of me, where was my journey through life going to take me. I was so excited for my future (somethings never change :) ).Thank you Kelsey and Christina for sharing this beautiful experience in coming of age with you. I am honored.LoveLoveLove. Lana

This is Lisa. She has been on a personal journey and she is the other beautiful soul who happened into my studio one night. Before I picked up my camera Lisa and I talked about her life, how she felt about herself, who she is and where she was going. The Winds of Change can be fearful and challenging, but can also be exciting and rewarding. New adventures makes us feel alive and give us hope for the future.Lisa, you are strong and powerful.LoveLoveLove. Lana