Portrait in Paris - with Carla Coulson

INSPIRATION

Time to Shine in Paris

WITH CARLA COULSON

For many years I have been missing, behind the camera instead of in front. Convinced I didn’t deserve center stage, Carla Coulson your Shine portrait session helped me change all that.

Not only did I find my inner sexy, adventurous, spirited, passionate sense of self again.

I also gave the gift of myself back to my daughter.

A Mum who wears red lipstick, high heels and knows how to navigate the Metro.

One full of laughter, confidence, glowing with happiness that we get to share these moments together.

From the absolute surprise on her face when she caught the first glimpse of my transformation I knew I’d cheated her a little.

Our portrait in Paris with Carla Coulson was a chance to change all that.

We laughed out loud feeding the pigeons at Notre Dame, splashed in the fountains, shopped, danced and sang together.

Total ‘Girl Time’ which was long overdue.

My own Mum and I have an incredible closeness, she raised us after my Dad died suddenly at only thirty nine. I’ve long had a thing for preserving memories, I only have a few photos of my Dad and I together, I was only five when he died.

By taking myself out of family photos I really see how I just disappeared.

How my kids don’t feel they smile the right way for photos.

If I could give you a gift from my heart it would be to let yourself always SHINE.

To not hit delete if you don’t look ‘just right’ and if you get a chance to have a portrait taken go and do it wholeheartedly.

The day we spent with Carla Coulson for our portrait in Paris really did change my life, in ways I didn’t see coming.

She has such a natural, humble. easy way, a clear vision that she brings to life, and she carries you along with her passion and enthusiasm.

I have never felt this way in front of a camera in my entire life.

Swirling, laughing, yep even a bit of strutting……people pausing to watch us, it all seemed on the edge of my joy, hugging my daughter, a bouquets of flowers with their own special meaning for us, feeling like a million dollars.

I even did a few quick outfit changes in a little courtyard, and Boobs…..who knew I had those!

Just Priceless.

A complete and total contrast to how I felt only a few short months ago when I found out I had won.
I turned the camera on to video my thanks and everything went sideways.
I know the video and the post I wrote touched many people who also hide from the camera.

Carina,

My beautiful butterfly girl.

You are my heart,

I know sometimes it doesn’t feel that way when we argue but it will forever be true.

I love you more than a million red M & M’s, more than anything in the world, to the moon and back.

My little girl you are becoming a young woman and I am so proud of you!

You have such a special grace, an inner beauty, a rare gift of resilience, creativity, laughter, cheekiness, and such a Spirit.

I love you Sweet Heart, you are my JOY xxx

Dearest Carla,

You gave us so much more than you could ever know.

Way beyond a Portrait in Paris.

Such a beautiful moment in time together, the grace of a girl becoming a young woman.

I’m incredibly happy that you were the one to capture these moments. I can’t imagine anyone else behind the lens, you have such a gift.

At the end of the day shooting it felt like we had just wandered Paris, soaking it all in, all of us laughing together as girlfriends.

I don’t actually remember you pointing a camera at us, how weird is that?

I just remember Carina in my arms, laughing, relaxing, a feeling of twirling, sharing, her hand in mine as we walked, lots of laughter.

Yes Life Changing in so many ways!

“Freedom, Sensuality, Joy, Movement, Adventure”

thank you Carla from the bottom of my heart xxx

PS Carla I will forever love your little cat, how clever he was to draw my name from that dish.
Give him a big kiss on the whiskers from us says Carina x

PPS Now the boys want to get in on the act….next time you’ll have the entire family LOL xx

Save

and the gang x

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61 replies

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Wynne says:
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I love the shot of the both of you in denim. The entire series is just wonderful! You look so relaxed and care-free. What a wonderful treat for you and Carina and a truly special “girls day out” – and in PARIS yet!

SO wonderful. xo
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  I love those as well, I just love them all and so happy to have these memories.
  We’ll always have Paris LOL xx
Judith of Umbria says:
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Just splendid! I am so happy for you.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Oh thanks for that Judith x
Lisa Wood says:
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Lisa – Carla took every photo with so much love…she captured your spirit so very well. You are stunning, shinning, beautiful and loving.
Gosh your daughter is growing up so very fast, and is so beautiful…
Every single photo is priceless. Every single photo is more beautiful then the last one.
So very glad you got to have a “Daughter weekend” – so very glad you had a moment to capture a sweet time together.
Hope you are proud of each image because Lisa you are stunning, shining from within xxx
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Peta Lowry says:
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Just fantastic Lisa!! A truly beautiful and unique opportunity and I feel so blessed to have been able to follow your journey of self from when you won this amazing prize to now! You, your daughter and your family so deserve this prize and to see you blossom and grow from it makes it even more special, can’t wait to see the impact this has on your life as you continue to share it with us. Thank you for sharing so much of you and your wonderful life and I hope we can all continue to share, enjoy, grow, learn and love what you do for a long time to come…. Bellissime!!
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Ciao Peta, I’ve actually been in half a dozen photos since the big Shoot with Carla, that’s more than I’ve been in all year lol .
  I love sharing with you, and that sounds wonderful, to share, enjoy grow learn and love xxxx
Penee says:
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I love love love these photos of you both. Katrina and I ooowwwed and ahhhed over everyone of them. You look so beautiful Lisa. Your life and love really shine through 🙂 carina your growing into such a beautiful young women xx. I know exactly what you mean about life behind the camera and being missed for sometimes years out of all of the big events and small ones too. It seems that I make sure everyone else is captured but I am not. After getting my photo taken for women’s day I realized the same as you, that we do belong in front of the camera and that our lives should be captured also. Much love.
The youngs xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Ha ha Carina was so impressed and we have prints coming so I can hang some in the house. I think our lives should be captured as well and yours is such an inspiration for so many people…..maybe a blog??
  
  sending love and will see if we can skype on the weekend x
Kris San Lee says:
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Lisa this post is by far your best from the heart. The pictures are gorgeous and so real but your feelings will be forever. So happy for you enjoy every moment.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Awwww that’s such a beautiful thing to say and thank you xx
  I’m aiming to bring so much more of myself to the blog, I”ve been hiding out for a while x
Leanne from Getaway Guru says:
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Such beautiful photos Lisa and such beautiful sentiments. It has been such a powerful exercise – so much more than photos. Definitely a life changing experience! Something every woman should do to celebrate a significant birthday!
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  thanks so much Leanne, maybe we’ll aim to some more when Carina turns 21 LOL xx
Anne says:
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Lisa you look stunning and what a beauty Carina looks too.

This post made me cry…happy tears and sad tears. I feel exactly the way you did you had this done. I delete photos all the time. .. I have confidence with my body but not my face ..if that makes sense .. always out of photos of possible. I have been like it most of my life .. ..

. You look beautiful. Xx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  I still look at them and think is that really me. I had the most angst about Carla photographing my face, crooked nose and severe cystic acne as a young woman left me very uncomfortable but I never even noticed with her behind the lens. Such a gifted woman, and so fantastic at putting you totally at ease. I hope this might inspire you to do some of your own xx
- Anne says:
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  I don’t see a crooked nose at all 🙂 you look beautiful Lisa. thank you for the encouragement I hope I can do it xxx
- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  ahhhh you are too kind, it’s called “The Burns Beak”
Lyn - A Hole in my Shoe says:
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Absolutely gorgeous pics, what a beautiful gift to your daughter… yourself and your love! Just beautiful.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  I know she’ll always be able to look at these and remember laughing with the pigeons, and seeing Paris for the first time with her Mum just like I did with mine xx
Krista says:
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Love this, love you so very much. XOXO Crying with joy and pride. XO
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  How beautiful Krista, love you back xxx