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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head in the sun says:
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That second shot is an absolute bewdie!
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  wink wink nudge nudge say no more xxx
Melissa {Suger} says:
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They are EVERYTHING and so much more. There you are, you beautiful, life-filled ladies, in a warmly lit bubble of love. So beautiful. I’m gushing all over facebook. Tell Sam I blame the flu for my sentimentality and the tears, I haven’t gone soft. Haha.

They are beautiful Lisa. Just as we knew they would be. xo
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Annette Piper says:
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Fantastic shots of you and Carina Lisa, just fabulous!
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Thanks so much for that Annette, xxx
jann says:
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Lisa, I’m so very happy for you, and for Carina. You are both absolute dolls and Carla is masterful in bringing out the real you!!!! What a superb once-in-a-lifetime experience–and then there’s Paris as the cherry on top. xxxxxbacixxxx
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La Contessa says:
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I hope you saw my comment on CARLA’s BLOG!
WOW WOW WOW………………….what a SHOOT!
She is AMAZING that CARLA………..and so down to earth!
How on earth will you pick!You must frame a few!!!
Beautiful words you wrote with STUNNING pictures!!!
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Francesca Muit says:
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Such joie de vivre in all of these. And I love you with some colour Lisa. Sending love xx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Yes it’s time to ditch all the black in my wardrobe….arghhhh then I’d have no clothes lol xx
  sending love xxx
  your post with your daughter was so moving by the way xx
Karene says:
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Lisa, I have finally made it to your blog, after slipping downstairs in the middle of the night to see if Carla had posted your pictures yet–and she had! As you know, I’ve commented on her blog, her facebook page, multiple times on your facebook page. But of course I want to complete my commenting here. 🙂 As I told you when you posted about winning, I too am that woman behind the camera, rarely posting a pic of myself and not letting my friends post them either. I delete the ones I do see. It’s hard to get over that feeling of inadequacy, not measuring up to my own or someone else’s ideal “look.”

Your heartfelt, honest post and your pictures made me cry tears of joy for what Carla has done for your self-worth. And for your courage in allowing her! Sometimes we just need a little encouragement (and a little makeup and hair styling doesn’t hurt either for a special occasion) to let our true self shine forth, which is truly captured in the photos.

You radiate Joy first of all, but also all the other qualities: freedom, sensuality, movement, and adventure, yes! I am dreaming now of doing this with my own daughter (19 yrs old). What a gift for the both of us that would be! It may take several more years to save up, but you inspire me!

Love you, xoxo
Karene
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Julie collett says:
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So wonderful , your beauty , love and strength shine through all these photos and Caria is a beauty . You are a inspiration xxxxx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Awww thanks so much and love to you guys, wish Italy was closer to Australia I so long to see you all x
  xx
Jenny P says:
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Lisa, your story about the personal significance of these photos was so touching. I’m so glad that you’ll have this day of wonderful memories preserved for your children and their children. All the photos of you and Carina are stunning. I couldn’t pick a favourite, but I could pick the happiness that radiated from them all. Just beautiful.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  I love your new look at the blog, and don’t be scared of wordpress it’s easy once you know how.
  
  Paris was just such a dream come true and to spend time with Carla and have these glorious images to remember it all is such a gift. I hope one day our children can say ‘see that’s your Nana’ you would have loved her xx
Kama says:
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Gorgeous photos! What a wonderful journey x
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  It was so much fun to be spoiled for the day Kama, xx
  sending love