Bold Beautiful Perfect: Yolanda
“After experiencing so much rejection and abandonment in most of my relationships, I discovered my inner beauty through the promises of God.” – Yolanda
Tell us about yourself, Yolanda!
Hi there, I am Yolanda Gail Gibson. I am 46 years young, daughter of the Most High God, wife to an amazing man (the priest, prophet, and king of my home), and blessed mother of 2 adult sons. To top it off, I am grandmother to 3 beautiful and unique grandchildren. I am a daughter, a sister, and a friend. I have worn many hats for many occasions in my life:
I am a believer in Jesus Christ; He is my Messiah.
I am an overcomer.
I am one of the gifts of fivefold ministry.
I am a creative mind.
I am a survivor of trauma.
I am a veteran.
I am a lover of people and food (I can throw down in the kitchen, might I humbly add!).
I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.
I am on a journey of self-discovery for the first time in my life.
I am an educator and a mentor.
I am a jewelry design consultant for JBloom and an aspiring entrepreneur.
How did you come to understand your inner beauty?
This, my dear, is an evolving journey of daily discovery!
After experiencing so much rejection and abandonment in most of my relationships with people – no matter how I have attempted to love and give to the point of pain – I have discovered my inner beauty through the promises of God. I have accepted who He says I am, and that is the pinnacle to the purpose of my life. What is on the inside will manifest on the outside. I desire beauty on the inside through my character and how I love others:
Unconditional love
Constant forgiveness
Never giving up on others
Nonjudgmental (at least I try hard not to be)
Empathic
Thoughtful and considerate
Integrity
Humility
Did I mention unconditional LOVE?
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 saw a quote the other day: “Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” How can you be yourself when you have always been what everyone else needed and wanted? As Mothers, Wives, and Givers, we sometimes do that! We operate in this way for so long that we lose who we are and want to be.
There are different seasons in our lives that require more giving than receiving; the proverb that says, “It is better to give than to receive” has been misused and abused. I give you permission to use the same beliefs to give freedom to yourself to be yourself. If you don’t know who you are, girlll, it is time to discover yourself!
Tell us about your experience with the photoshoot.
First of all, I am a Gulfcoast newbie! I relocated here almost a year ago during the pandemic, and I love it. I constantly use Gulfcoast Woman Magazine for information on the area, and it is kind of ironic that Brandi is all over that magazine in some form. When I was selected, I was shocked to say the least! I wondered what was the catch. The catch is a 4 hour glam session, makeover, and model shoot with an international award-winning photographer and a very gifted makeup artist that made me feel like a superstar!
It was all about me! Even the conversation and the laughs gave me hope and strength to continue on this self-discovery journey that at times can be emotionally exhausting. The photo shoot was in a beautiful studio with all things girly and fabulous! Ms. Brandi is so elegant and classy, all while being barefoot and professional. Kasper is a gem and he did exactly what I asked and then some.
Even Brandi’s personal assistant is on point and patient. Thank you, thank you for this experience!
The shoot meant everything to me, and I look forward to returning to the studio to experience this every year!
Anything else you’d like to share to encourage women?
Ladies, love, value, and appreciate yourself! You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
You are a beautiful woman, created by God!
To book your own fabulous Portrait Session, contact us through the inquiry form below.
Much love,
Brandi
International Award-Winning Portrait Photographer
Brandi Stage is an international award-winning portrait photographer based in Bay St. Louis, MS. She creates an exceptional magazine-style photo shoot and timeless heirloom portraits for women, men, children and pets in her studio or on location.