Contest Winner | Lemonade and Lenses

“And you ask “What if I fall?” Oh but my darling, What if you fly?” -Erin Hanson

I started 2019 with several goals for my business – one of which was to enter a photo competition. I had not ever entered a contest before. I for SURE did not think I would win, but it was a challenge to myself. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and that’s where we grow. Honestly, my thought was “I probably won’t win but it at least puts my name out there and I’ll be able to learn from the experience.” So…I entered these images into the Lemonade and Lenses Winter 2019 Image Competition.

Much to my surprise, a few weeks after the contest deadline passed, I received an email that I had WON second place in the maternity portion of the contest. (view here!) I did not yet know which images won. I only submitted the studio self-portrait and the top image of my client and her son’s precious feet hugging her belly. I was kind of hoping it was the top image that won, only because I’m pretty modest and do not like to show my bump! But on the day the winners were posted, I saw the black and white-emotion filled image of me, completely exhausted at 38 weeks pregnant. This is an image I created for myself. I did not have any photos showing my bare pregnant bump and I wanted to document it, in case we decide to be done after 3 kids. I was tired, but feeling strong, confident, and beautiful in my preggo-skin so I stepped into my home studio and snapped some images of myself with my tripod. I never looked twice at this image for almost a year after I took it. Then, reminiscing about my daughter’s first year I saw this and was immediately struck at the emotion captured here.

I am so glad I entered that competition. It is always nice to be recognized for your work, but more importantly, it taught me to TRY. I almost did not enter for fear of losing…but I did. I went for it.

So what are you waiting for? What goals did you set for yourself that you need to check? What fears can you conquer today, this week, this month? Just go for it. OWN IT! Keep putting your work and your voice out into the world because there is only one YOU, and the world needs more of you.