Bold Beautiful Perfect: Kristy

 

---

“Someone once asked me, ‘If you could change one thing in your life, what would that be?’ I replied, ‘Nothing. If I change one thing it could change everything.’ Life changes you. Often, even when we can’t see the light for darkness, change is good. The light will come, and we will better, stronger, and more beautiful than we ever were before!”

---

Tell us about yourself, Kristy!

I have spent my whole 42 years of existence on this earth in south Mississippi, and I have no plans to leave anytime soon. I never get tired of people telling me how much they love my southern accent – although it has been mistaken for a Boston accent on more than one occasion!

On December 26, 2020 I celebrated 5 years of marriage with my amazing, handsome husband. He is truly the best, and I love doing life with him by my side!

I have two incredibly talented children, a 14-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter. During football season, you can find me in the stands cheering on my son. When I’m not in the stands you can find me at the dance studio with my daughter. I also have 2 fur children, a dog and a rabbit.

Outside of my family, you can find me at my church (Flat Top Unity Baptist), volunteering with the dog rescue (For Bullies Sake), or gathering items to fill shoe boxes (Operation Christmas Child). Occasionally you might find me curled up on the couch binge watching a show.

I love Jesus! I love my family! I love cars (even more than I love dogs and sea turtles)!

 

How did you come to understand your beauty?

Inner beauty – Wow! – that is a hard one for me, like really hard!

I have spent nearly all my adult life dealing with medical issues, one diagnosis after another. I could write a novel! Being sick is hard, and it is even harder when you do not look sick to the outside world. Sickness takes a toll on relationships; it makes you feel less than you are, it makes you feel like you let others down, and it holds you back. It is hard to find your inner beauty when you spend a lot of time feeling like a failure. It has taken me a long time to accept the fact that just because people in your life cannot look beyond your illness, it does not mean you are unworthy or a failure.

I saw myself as a failure for a long time. But over the past few years, I’ve come to accept and embrace who I am. My inner beauty is no longer lost within me. Today, I say to myself, “Take me I as I am or, don’t take me at all.”

 

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 remember in grade school there was a boy I liked. He told me if I curled my hair like another girl in our class that he would be my boyfriend. I told him to take a hike! If someone is asking you to change who you are to be with them, don’t do it! Acceptance is a powerful thing because we all want to be accepted. Sometimes we have to reevaluate what it will cost to be accepted. If that means walking away, then walk away baby; walk away.

Beauty radiates from within and projects outward. You can be the finest looking person in the room, but if you act like a big fat jerk, then you become ugly. If you are not a good person on the inside, it does not matter what you look like on the outside.

Someone once asked me, “If you could change one thing in your life, what would that be?” I replied, “Nothing. If I change one thing it could change everything.” Life changes you. Often, even when we can’t see the light for darkness, change is good. The light will come, and we will better, stronger, and more beautiful than we ever were before! We will rise from the ashes like the phoenix and start anew!

 

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

This shoot was AMAZING! It is definitely what I needed. Often times I am so busy with the mom life that I forget about myself. This shoot was all focused on me and it was wonderful! I was so excited to get selected and I told all of my friends!

I am honored to be a part of this project. Self-acceptance and women lifting up other women is a great thing. I know this project is going to change someone’s life; it is just that good!

I had such a great time at the photo shoot. Kasper made my makeup look so natural. I joked and told him, “I will be impressed if you get this hair to keep a curl.” I was very impressed! He is a true artist and has a gift for makeup and hair.

Speaking of gifts and artist, Brandi rocked this photoshoot! She brought out my inner supermodel! Growing up, I always wanted to be a supermodel and take one of those photos where the fan blows your hair. I got to do one!

I would highly recommend this photoshoot! I mean who doesn’t want to get pampered and told they are beautiful for a few hours out of their day?

Anything final words you’d like to share?

Stand up for yourself. Stand up for others. One last thing, my favorite quote (I have it in on my mirror): “In a world where you can be anything, be yourself.” – Etta Turner

 

---

 

 

You are beautiful!

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

 

Much love,

Brandi

International Award-Winning Portrait Photographer