2023 Bold Beautiful Perfect: Darienne

“When I stopped comparing myself to everyone else and focused on getting comfortable in my own skin, I found my beauty.“

 

Tell us about yourself, Darienne!

I am a life and leadership coach, speaker, and author. I work with leaders and their teams to have more confidence, clarity, and purpose. I help clients get clear about what matters most, help them lead more effective teams, and have happier and more fulfilled lives. I am blessed to live in Ocean Springs, MS and do work that fills me up.

I worked for over 35 years in the tourism industry. I am one of less than ten people in the United States that led the tourism efforts of two states, Mississippi and Louisiana.

I am publishing my first book this month, Dare to Choose Happy. It is my personal journey to find my own happiness and the process I use with my clients to help them find theirs.

How did you come to understand your inner beauty?

I have never felt beautiful. I have felt attractive at times in my life. But, as we all know, our inner beauty comes from confidence and acceptance through quieting the voice in our heads that says we are not good enough or pretty enough. When I stopped comparing myself to everyone else and focused on myself and started to get comfortable in my own skin, I found my beauty.

 

What parts of your story can you share to help women to understand their own beauty?

I have a deep insecurity that has kept me from living out loud. While I have had a successful career, I always felt like an imposter. Writing this book has been life changing for me. It is definitely a “make your mess your message” story. My hope is that it will inspire others to do the same: to choose their own happiness.

To me, having clarity is beautiful. That means accepting what you are good at and what you are not. Clarity is getting clear about what you want to live your most fulfilled life. That is beautiful.

 

Tell us about your experience with the photoshoot?

I was a nervous wreck. Was I enough? Why did I think this was a good idea? Then Brandi arrived and I knew it was going to be amazing. She is talented, but more than that she is comforting and validating. I have lost some weight. I have not been able to really tell, but when I saw the pictures – it was all there. I did feel beautiful. Every woman should give themselves this gift at least once. I will have these photographs for the rest of my life. What I had hoped for was a few headshots to use in my business. What I got back was a glimpse of this amazing woman. What a gift! The whole experience was magical from hair and makeup to the final wrap.

 

Photography: Brandi Stage Portraiture

Hair and Makeup: Heather Dubuisson, HD Hair and Makeup

Location: The Roost Boutique Hotel

 

White woman curly hair portrait and headshot photographer standing confidently arm on hip wearing black top and earrings

 

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

White woman curly hair portrait and headshot photographer standing confidently arm on hip wearing black top and earrings

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.