Just Hang On, It’s Going to Get Way Better!
I love sharing my client’s stories through portraits and interviews. Audra, a Columbia, SC native shares a common insecurity I think many women have; people judging our beauty on the outside rather than the inside. Showing women how beautiful they are is why I do what I do.
Here are a few snippets from Audra’s interview.
What made you get pictures done?
It has been a long year and a half since Covid and I know as women we’ve stopped wearing makeup and doing our hair and so I just wanted to feel pretty and maybe jump start wearing makeup and doing my hair again.
How do you think the definition of beauty has changed over the years?
It used to be more on the outside, people took beauty as what you look like on the outside. It is more changing to what the inside is now, they want to be better on the inside. I think people want to be more caring and more beautiful on the inside and not so much on the outside.
What would you tell your 20-year-old self?
Just to hang on, its going to get way way better.
What motivates you in the morning?
My faith mostly, I’m very thankful for everything that I have and I’ve been blessed in my life.
If your husband were here, how would he describe you?
Beautiful. He always tells me I’m beautiful, he’s so good about that. He doesn’t tell me a lot of things but he tells me I’m beautiful all the time, and that’s huge for me. I was raised in an era of the outside beauty. I’ve never really seen myself as beautiful but he does every day.
What advice would you give your daughter?
To stay true to herself. Try the fun stuff. Don’t always just look for money. Follow your passions and go for those, you’ll be much happier in life.
When do you feel you were the most confident in life?
Right now, my 40’s were all about learning about me and every year I learn something new about me in my 40’s. So when I turned 50 I was just like, “I am the best version of me right now.” I’ve learned so much through my 40’s.
What advice would you give yourself as a young mother?
Not to be stressed. Not to be screaming all the time and be stressed all the time with my kids. Just to enjoy the moments with them and just to relax. In the long run you’re going to be just fine.
What advice would you give your kids as they start their families?
Be patient, just be very patient. Everybody has their own personality, and all those personalities have to mesh in the family. It's a listening thing. I think you have to listen to your kids and be aware of who they are and try to parent how they are rather than fitting them into your box.
How has your career path changed over the years?
I was a stay-at-home mom for about 14 years, then I went to college at 35 years old and began my career. It’s been good. After 9 years I got the job that I had been hoping for right out of college.
What advice would you give to someone who’s wanting to go back to school when they’re older?
It’s different, it’s much much different going back to school as a nontraditional student. I had kids and a husband at the time and I couldn’t do all the “fun” things that the younger kids were doing. Your time restraints are different then a 20-year-old.
What is your favorite quote or scripture?
2nd Timothy 1:7
“For we are not created with the spirit of fear but of power and love and sound of mind.”
Be sure to click on the video and hear Audra in her own words. Hair and makeup by @beautybylizyturria. For more information please visit www.brandiblake.com.
