Editorial Style Portrait Photographer Milwaukee – Toya Washington
“I’ll start by saying, this is a challenge. There are very few things I consider “outside my comfort zone”, but this – this is most certainly a stretch. While I spent the better part of nearly three decades in front of a camera, my job was always to share other people’s stories, to highlight their journey, to amplify their voice, their images, their message…but never my own. So stepping in front of a camera, in this way, even writing this, is foreign and strangely uncomfortable.
I am not exaggerating when I say I spent YEARS pining over Jennifer’s work, researching her subjects, studying her photos, examining each brilliant detail and following her on every social media platform. Despite falling in love with nearly every shot, there was a mental block preventing me to get to this point. That is, until I sat, examining pictures of my grandmother through the same lens I used to pour over Jennifer’s art. I found myself in deep gratitude to have so many awesome photos. That was the moment I knew – it was time to book a session.
From top to bottom…this. was. amazing. I loved every detail. Jennifer is so complete with her pre-consultation, even that daunting questionnaire that pays off 10-fold. Don’t even get me started on the fitting session. I was transported back in time, 7 year old me, playing dress up in my mom’s and grandma’s closets. Each and every step, leading up to shoot day was communicated with detail. The day of the shoot was overwhelming in such a beautiful way. Katrina nailed my hair and makeup, which for me, was the most nerve wracking portion of it all. I’ve had some pretty awful “artists”…but Katrina has cracked the code. She is a master level pro.
Jennifer’s direction during the shoot is delivered in a way that’s so natural, caring, and genuine. Her superpower is being able to somehow smother you in confidence and pull it out of you at the same time. I watched her mastery in real time. How do you top all that? The reveal session. In the spirit of full transparency, I have the tendency to enter into many life situations with “neutral” expectations, which I did that day. What I didn’t expect was full range emotions. From gasps, to tears, to laughter…we covered it all.
I did this shoot to put a visual stamp on this season in life. To remember what was and what will be. I want our daughters to see strength and vulnerability can co-exist, that trusting those you love yields great reward, that you can be all things…but not all at once, to know your worth, to understand that pivots in life come when you don’t expect it – but you are uniquely prepared for any and everything. To know that you ARE enough.
As I mentioned, I waited YEARS to do this. Jennifer revealed my photos nearly SIX years to the day when I sent my first message to her.
And finally…as women, we spend so much of our lives DOING for others…having someone DOING for you…that is uniquely FOR you…is something that simply shouldn’t be years in the making.” – Toya
