Everything Happens for a Reason

I love sharing my client’s stories through portraits and interviews.

Here are a few snippets from Amanda’s interview.

What made you get pictures done?

I just really wanted to feel special, like a lady. I have also lost 60 pounds in the last three years, so definitely wanted to just do something for myself and have some nice photos and surprise my husband.

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

Beauty is definitely a hard thing right now especially for kids growing up. I personally feel like you need to feel beautiful yourself verses trying to make other people feel that way. It’s hard being a woman and feeling that way.

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

You will get married, because then I just didn’t know. I didn’t date a lot when I was younger. I was definitely more of a “wall flower” then the popular kid by any means, but you will get married to an awesome guy. Just continue being yourself. Be you, don’t try to make other people know who you are.

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

I would probably say in the last few years just losing that weight has really made me a lot more confident. I was never really super self-conscious, but obviously having that extra weight I wanted to be healthier because there is diabetes in my family and heart disease. So the last few years are probably the most when I have been the most confident.

When have you felt the most attractive in life?

I think that’s still the same, just the last few years because I just wasn’t as comfortable in my body, I acted like I was. Also my wedding day. The first dress I tried on was THE dress and it was totally opposite of what I ever thought I’d wear. It was off the shoulder and I always thought I would be more of a spaghetti strap or something similar to this, and it was completely opposite of anything I would’ve tried.

How many years have you been married?

10.5 years..

How do you think the younger generation perceives your generation?

I feel like we had to work harder. I feel like a lot of the next generation get handed a lot of things. I definitely worked for everything I wanted and needed and I had a job when I was 16. I was babysitting before that and I just feel like a lot of kids aren’t doing that. I also think it has to do with how the world has changed. I mean we used to go outside until the street lights came on and that’s when you came home. The world has changed, so it’s definitely a little scarier for kids these days as well.

How have your values changed over time?

Family definitely, but I feel like I’ve always been a family person. I talk to my mom every day. I talked to her on the way over here, and my sisters, so family is very big to me. Values, I just don’t care about what people think. I’m not that girl that just walks out of the house with makeup on normally. If I go to work yes, but if I’m going to the grocery store that doesn’t bother me, I just go.

What do you think your mom and you sisters would say to you if they saw you right now?

They would say I look beautiful, which I would agree. They are very supportive regardless so they’d be very happy for me. They would say “ why aren’t we there with you.”

What is your favorite quote or scripture?

Everything happens for a reason. That’s kind of my thing. My husband laughs at me about that, like no things just happen. But I do feel like there is a reason for everything. We are not very religious people, so I just feel like it’s just supposed to be that way, if it happened it happened.

Be sure to click on the video and hear Amanda in her own words. Hair and makeup by @beautybylizyturria. For more information on the 40 over 40 portraits, please visit www.brandiblake.com/40over40.