2020 Bold Beautiful Perfect: Janin
“It wasn’t until I stopped focusing on everything I had ‘lost’ that I realized I had everything I have prayed for my whole life.”
Tell us about yourself, Janin!
My name is Janin Keating. I’m 34 years old. I have been married to my husband, Dennis going on 5 years in November 2020. We have a beautiful 4 year old son who is the light of our life (yes, a honeymoon baby!) I have been a registered nurse for 12 years. Many of my nursing years were spent as an Intensive Care Unit nurse. I am now the director of nursing at an outpatient surgery center.
How did you come to understand your inner beauty?
Inner beauty is something I struggle with daily. I think we all as women can relate. We don’t wake up every day relishing in our inner beauty. I wish we did! The world would be a better place if that were the case.
It’s the little things in life that help me find my inner beauty. Inner beauty to me is about character — not physical appearance. If I can start each day working on myself, the day just seems falls into place.
1) Being productive and not wasting my own time. I’m not going to lie, I can be lazy! I try to start each day by making the bed. Doing that one small productive thing first thing in the morning helps to set the tone for the day and motivate me to stay on track.
2) Reducing the negativity. I work with all women, so there can be a lot of drama. I think women tend to gravitate towards gossip, but it brings so much negativity! It’s so hard to disengage from the drama and gossip, but I try very hard. The days I’m able to stay focused on myself and stay out of the drama are the days I feel like my best self. With reducing negativity also comes happiness. I’m able to focus on keeping a friendly face and being kind to others. People feel worthy when you acknowledge their presence, so smile! Happiness is the best medicine.
3) Experience. Inner beauty comes with experience. When I was 16, I thought I knew what “beauty” was. I thought I had it all and I was invincible. Boy, if I could tell my teenage self what I know now. The more we mature, the more we know who we really are and what we are capable of. You can’t dwell on past mistakes. The past is in the past, so accept it and realize you are further today than you were yesterday.
What parts of your story can you share to help women to understand their own beauty?
Shortly after I got married, I found out I was pregnant. I was not prepared to become a mother; I was still very selfish and set in my ways. Having a new baby that I was supposed to dedicate all of my time to made me feel like I lost a piece of myself. My new look was sweats and no make up. It felt like losing my freedom.
It wasn’t until I stopped focusing on everything I had “lost” that I realized I had everything I have prayed for my whole life. I prayed to be a mother and now I am one. There’s so many people in this world who can’t be mothers and I am blessed. When I changed my outlook, everything changed for me. My son is my whole world and motherhood brings me the most joy I could ever imagine.
Tell us about your experience with the photo shoot.
What an awesome experience! It started with a glam session by Kasper then the photo shoot. Brandi was so amazing. I feel very awkward but Brandi was amazing with me! We tried so many looks and styles and got so many awesome photos. I couldn’t be more happy with the experience.
What an honor and privilege to be part of the Bold Beautiful Perfect project! I cannot say thank you enough.
You are more beautiful than you know!
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.