Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to let you know that I will be speaking at the ArtLoveMagic Gallery (at Southside on Lamar, in Dallas) this coming Friday, March 25, 2016.

I will be speaking a little bit about my own journey through domestic violence, sickness and the journey that led to me start Surviving Beautifully. Also speaking will be Estella Segovia (who I just photographed for her own Surviving Beautifully session), and Mary Farmer. We will also be making floral crowns. Anyone who has worked with me, or has seen my personal work knows that I love making flower headpieces and using them in shoots. I’m really excited for this event!

I have never spoken publicly about any of my experience with domestic violence, sickness, or why I started Surviving Beautifully. Honestly, I’m pretty terrified, but I feel like speaking about this is the next step for Surviving Beautifully and for my own personal growth. I’ve always been a very introspective, private person, and have avoided speaking in front of people as much as possible. Just a couple of years ago I could barely speak in front of a couple of people at a time about anything. I could never have imagined trying to speak in public about myself (on purpose!), starting a non-profit or trying to build my own business. In starting my own business last year though, and through starting Surviving Beautifully, I have been slowly pushing myself out of my little self-imposed box. I can honestly say that the last year has been one of the most challenging but rewarding years of my life, simply because I have pushed myself so hard to evolve. Change is a very difficult thing, but I’m so happy I took this journey, no matter where it leads me.

Surviving Beautifully is ALL about empowerment, so I am taking this step to empower myself and to spread that message. If I want other women to open up and share their stories of overcoming domestic violence, cancer and critical illness, I need to be able to do the same. Surviving Beautifully isn’t just about giving someone a makeover and some beautiful portraits, it’s about giving women a voice, giving them a little more confidence and sharing hope.

I hope you will join me on Friday!

-Amanda