Beauty is the Inner Glow

I love sharing my client’s stories through portraits and interviews.   This portrait session was gifted to Rae by her sister Becky who also participated in the #40over40 project. This gorgeous client firmly believes beauty radiates from within and we couldn’t agree more. Her advice although directed at young people is a great reminder for us all. Save your money and don’t pay too much attention to social media.

Here are a few snippets from Rae’s interview.

What made you get pictures done?

My sister gifted me a portrait session and it’s been a long time since I’ve had portraits done.  I needed new headshots and it would be good to have other photos to use for my social media and business.

How do you think the definition of beauty has changed over the years?

I don’t know that the definition of beauty has changed.  Personally I am interested in more natural beauty.  There is beauty and glamour, all kinds of things encompass beauty.  As you get older your perception of beauty changes, you start to focus more on personality or the things that give a person an inner glow vs makeup that would give them the outer glow.

What would you tell your 20-year-old self?

I would tell my 20 year old self to start my 401 k earlier and not to go into debt.

When do you feel you were the most confident in life?

I feel the most confident when I am dealing with stuff that I know.  Whether its travel or computers or things I have done professionally.  That kind of success gives you confidence and knowledge that you know what you are talking about.

What advice would you give younger ladies today?

Don’t focus on what you see on social media.  It’s all fake.  Everyone has a face that they set forth for the public but behind that face Behind that person is someone who has the same struggles you do.  They are not going to show a picture of them looking fat, ugly or miserable.  Much of what you see on social media today for a young person is not real.

How would the people around you describe you?

People would describe me as fun, fun loving, intelligent, confident.

What motivates you to wake up in the morning?

Nothing, lol.  I’m not a morning person.  Helping my clients motivates me.

What is your favorite quote or scripture?

1st Corinthians 13 Love is patient, love is kind…  A very dear friend read that at our wedding.  My husband and I have been married 30 years.  We met when I was 16 and he was 18.  If he saw me right now, he would say “Wow.”

Myths about turning 50?

Your life has to dramatically change as you get older.  So much has to do with your mindset and how you feel.   When I look at pictures of my mother or grandmother at the age I am now, they look much older.  They had a much harder life.  They worked in the fields when they were 5 years old.   They had a lot of sun on their face and The sun ages you.  I think we forget how blessed we are today to not have such a hard life.  Things are very different today then when my mom and grandmother grew up.

Be sure to click on the video and hear Rae in her own words. Hair and makeup by @bettybylizyturria. For more information on the 40 over 40 portraits, please visit www.brandiblake.com