Bold Beautiful Perfect: Kate

 

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“For a while, I tried to separate my identities of Mother, Teacher, Singer, Artist, Choir Director, Wife. “WHO AM I?” was a question that I shouted into the void. Answering back, with echoes from every direction: “YOU! YOU ARE ALL THESE WONDERFUL THINGS!”

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Tell us about yourself, Kate!

I am a 37-year-old mother of two, music educator (voice teacher and choir director) and trained operatic soprano. The natural world fascinates me in all its splendor, which makes me fond of star-gazing and hiking up a trail. Being a foodie, I absolutely love to cook and bake, and of course EAT!

 

How did you come to understand your beauty?

As I have grown in age, I have grown in understanding of true beauty. Inner beauty is the slow-blooming reveal of self – being present in your own life. And through that self-knowledge, being able to be open and share with others. This can manifest in so many ways! In my life, it’s sharing music and ideas with my students and colleagues, and also with my husband who is a singer/educator as well.

 

This project is all about inspiring women to see their beauty. What parts of your story can you share to help women to understand their own beauty?

I have always been a perfectionist: straight A’s in school, the teacher’s pet, setting extremely intense and high goals for myself throughout my life. In some ways, this has led me to live my life with a foreboding sense of failure. The twists and turns of navigating a blossoming career in opera performance took me down some tough roads. I went through a time of deep sadness when I essentially veered into a path of full time teaching for the sake of a steady income and more stability in my life.

For a while, I lived my life in a temporary mode, trying to separate my identities of Mother, Teacher, Singer, Artist, Choir Director, Wife. “WHO AM I?” was a question that I shouted into the void. Answering back, with echoes from every direction: “YOU! YOU ARE ALL THESE WONDERFUL THINGS!” And why not? I am me. I am bold AND beautiful AND perfectly just who I am. Maybe not rich or famous. Maybe not always at peace. Maybe not dressed up with hair and makeup done. I am becoming more every day. So are you, friend.

 

What did the shoot mean to you? What did it feel like to be selected?

Being in the studio with Brandi Stage and Kasper Ly was such an amazing gift. I felt so loved and supported the whole day. The creative energy in the room was high, and we were a great little team!

Having the time to focus on myself and be in my body – acknowledging how I move and how I’m shaped and how I smile – it made me feel strong and present. I have never really won anything in my life! This felt like a great surprise out of nowhere, and yet, something I have earned just by virtue of being ME! How awesome is that?!

 

 

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You are a force to be reckoned with!

To book your own fabulous Portrait Session, contact us through the inquiry form below.

 

Much love,

Brandi

International Award-Winning Portrait Photographer