35 and Systematic

Today I turn 35, and I need to tell you something: every photo you see of me is suspicious. The lighting? Always perfect. The angle? Always flattering. This isn’t luck, it’s 17 years of practice. I am the system.

35 and Systematic

I started this blog when I was 19, taking blurry dorm room selfies with a point-and-shoot camera that weighed three pounds. I had no idea what I was doing. Fast forward to today, and I can find the perfect light in any room, nail the angle that makes my cheekbones pop, and time my smile to look effortless. It’s a skill, and I’m not sorry about it.

The pose that started it all

Marcus walked into the kitchen during my birthday photo session and said “How many have you taken?” The answer was 47. The follow-up question was “Are you done?” The answer was no. When you’ve spent nearly two decades perfecting your craft, you don’t rush the process.

When you know you nailed it

35 feels powerful. I know exactly who I am, what works for me, and how to capture it. Some people call it vanity. I call it expertise. Happy birthday to me – and to my suspiciously perfect lighting.