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Survivor Saturday w/ Lynette Franklin - Maryland Portrait Photographer

Hey everyone!!! It's Saturday and today I am featuring this bright light known as Lynette Franklin!  She was so grateful for the is opportunity to tell her story and to help others.  During our session it was emotional for Lynette and this was part of her healing process and her moving forward in life.  Most time people that have cancer get stuck and these sessions are to remind them of their beauty and to help them see that IT ISN'T OVER, but a fresh start!  Everyone meet Lynette...

October 15, 2013 At the age of 38 I sat in my car and read a medical report which confirmed my biggest fear…I HAD BREAST CANCER.

On that day my life changed forever. Mentally, physically and emotionally I had to prepare myself for the battle of my life. Things that mattered previously no longer mattered and things that never mattered now mattered the most. I had no choice but to regroup. I had to keep praying, trusting and believing as I had always done before.

At this time I was a solider in the United States Army. I was hundreds of miles away form my family and friends. The ones whom loved me the most and would pray the hardest for me were the furthest away from me. During the emotional journey I was blessed with prayer warriors. They would pray for me when I was too weak to pray for myself.

I was blessed with women, ‘sistas’ near and far who encouraged me, inspired me and prayed with me and for me. I endured chemotherapy, radiation, a bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. This journey tested me on every level.

However, through my heartache, hurt and scars I am thankful and forever grateful for this part of my journey. It made me dig deep and prove to myself what I was truly made of. God has used me to create awareness, promote self-examination and encourage each other spirits.

Again, I thank you for allowing me this opportunity to tell my story. It is my hope that through the pain, tears, and emotional roller coaster I am able to inspire, encourage and motivate someone else who may have to go through such a life changing experience.

On Location w/ HumandotProject - Maryland Portrait Photographer

As I get older, I grow to appreciate home the more I travel back.  The small town of Atwater, California that I grew up in, where nothing ever happened now has a movement that is uniting humanity in a time when it is most needed.  Human. was started by Stephen Hillyer while he was a student at Buhach Colony High school and he now attends UC Davis where he a Senior and Psychology major.

Human. is a movement dedicated to pursuing respect and equality for all people. The organization is steadfast on removing labels that society has implemented and they are advocates for EVERYONE!  The cores values for this company are easy and if you believe in them then you should show support by joining the movement.  They are RESPECT for all human beings, Envision all human beings as EQUAL and, ADVOCATE for those that are marginalized, singled out, groups and communities.

When you get behind this movement and you see another person in this apparel, it is an understanding that you see each other only as a HUMAN.  That you can respect differences, treat the person fairly and as you would want to be treated and you will advocate on their behalf should they ever need you to do so.  I was in awe of the drive for this organization and had a wonderful time visiting this family with such a sincere heart for change and equality.  With every purchase a sweatshirt is donated to the local homeless population of Merced County.

For more information on this awesome organization go to: www.humandotproject.com
Social Media: #humandotproject

DC Indie Fashion Week 2016 - Maryland Photographer

A lot was learned in this week long fashion experience in the DC area.  I closed out with the Indie Fashion Week Finale which I found out about the night before.  I am certainly learning my way around the media circuit and how to get into such events.  I can tell you that I have been bitten by the fashion photography bug and I am now headed in the right direction.  I met a handful of business people in the area and any opportunity to network is an opportunity to grow and learn.  I am very optimistic about my future in fashion photography.

Dine Diaspora - Maryland Photographer

I was recently contacted to come on board as a feature photographer for an event known as Dine Diaspora.  It was an interesting event where the three ladies that put on these quarterly events, bring together leaders in the community and they discuss issues to specific to their groups and how to interact and share ideas and ultimately to network and build with each other.  The also bring in a guest chef that specializes in Diaspora type cuisine.  I was very impressed with everything from the table settings to the Chef and his menu presentation and the stories that made up the menu.  These ladies are on to something and I hope they keep it going and grow.