by Beautiful Evolutions | Jan 11, 2022 | FAQ, Life
2021… What a year!!! I don’t know about you – but 2021 just almost won. Almost.
If you have been around a while – you’ve been thru it all with me. Thank you for sticking it out. 2021 was full of hopes and dreams and great big plans. I had so many plans for last year. However, the universe had other ideas. A year with many losses, sickness, health challenges and just honestly a sense of not knowing where to go from there. I took December to really focus on what was important to my dreams, my goals and what served my soul. We’ve restructured some things. We’ve refocused our energy on things that serve our purpose better. Most importantly, I have taken the time to really stop and dream again.
Here are a few updates for you for 2022.. just a few – there are really so many more.
The BE Project 2022
Hopefully, you have seen we have picked up the 2021 BE Project and have been sharing on social media. We will be scheduling sessions for the first week of February for 2022. We will be opening up the sign up form later this week.
Head Shots
Head Shots will always be special to me. We are working on a few new styles of headshots so be sure to let me know when you need to update yours. New background colors – new styles – new approach – same great experience.
Paw Prints
coming soon… we will be celebrating your furry friends
My word for 2022 is determined. I allowed 2021 to derail me from my plans. This year – I would say – hang on tight because big things are going to happen. I am determined to come here and share with you what’s going on, my rambling thoughts, and just get back to what drives me. Writing has always been something that soothes my soul. It feeds my brain and my heart. So as long as you keep reading, I promise to keep writing. I am determined to do better to share the images of those that trust me to step in front of my camera and tell their stories. This has always been one of the greatest things for me about being a photographer – to learn the stories of the people I get to meet.
Thank you for all the prayers and grace this year each of you have sent my direction. I am blessed beyond measure and I am determined to elevate our BE Empire this year to levels unseen.
Until I see you on the other side of the camera – Much Love to each of you.
xoxo
Brooke
by Beautiful Evolutions | Nov 4, 2017 | FAQ
GIFT CARDS – FOR THE WOMEN WHO WOULD NEVER
Did you know most women really want to have a photo session? Did you also know, that most women won’t book one because they feel it’s too frivolous? Sure, they may schedule a session for their kids, their families or even their own parents… but spend money on themselves?? Gasp – never. I meet women every day that tell me how much they would really love to schedule something with me, but it’s just not the right time. Or they just wouldn’t know what to do with images of themselves. Can you imagine that? Everyone should have some badass images of themselves. Now, you can save the day with some gift cards.
GIFT CARDS – IDEAS FOR WHEN TO GIVE THEM
Are you a business owner? Maybe you are in sales? Do you know someone that needs to update their head shots? Gift them a head shot session? We travel all over shooting head shots. We go to each client so that it is a little easier on them. Because really, who LOVES to get their head shots done. I bet you can think of at LEAST three people right now that have a seat-belt selfie or their profile picture is standing by their front door.
Do you know a family, are you that family, that hasn’t head family pictures done in YEARS?? I laugh hearing the stories from clients – some of my families haven’t had family pictures done since they only had 2 kids… and now they have 4. Are your parents getting finer like wine (with age) and haven’t had new pictures of themselves since that church directory 10 years ago? Often times we push family sessions to the back burner… but why not give the gift of one.
Are you the spouse that ALWAYS waits to the last minute and gets something lame for the person that rocks your world? Did you know, she would be over the moon happy if you arranged a photo shoot? Did you know, I can take care of all of the details and you get to be the rock star?
GIFT CARDS – WHY GIVE THEM?
At the end of the day – we live in a world that most people can buy the “things” that they want. They may really want something but aren’t ready to spend money on something they view as frivolous. Think about the last time someone gifted you with something that you could cherish for years… even after you are gone? Pictures are something that can tell your story today and for many years. Is there a better gift that? Is there a better gift that giving someone permission to do something for themselves? Think about the industry you work in… how will you separate yourself from your competition? This is a pretty cool way to gift your clients something that no one else is.
GIFT CARDS – HOW DO I GET ONE FOR A PHOTO SESSION?
First things first, let’s chat a little bit. Talk to me about who you are buying for and together we can decide which session is best or if just a general gift card is best. Then, we can discuss your budget and now much you would like to spend. We offer gift cards in any amount. We have digital gift cards as well as pretty gold gift cards that come in a pretty little box. Together, we will choose the best option for you. In the meantime, head over to the Beautiful Evolutions website and check out some of our work.
Sign up here and let’s get you on the way to getting some gift cards.
by Beautiful Evolutions | Sep 1, 2015 | FAQ
It’s funny really. The way things happen. The way God’s timing can be absolutely incredible and make you sit and be thankful for things that probably do not matter to anyone else.
The timing of this is a little bittersweet. A photographer in our local community is battling cancer for a 2nd time. She is a mom and wife, first and foremost, but also a well respected woman in our local community. God speed and prayers for a healthy journey.
Several years ago… when I was still fine tuning my shooting style and jumped into a big ol’ world of business and all that THAT word means… I met a group of ladies. A group of people that have always believed in me and have nudged me along the way. While the original intent of that group fell apart, the purpose of it and what they stood for, has never left me.
Because of this group of women I met a beautiful woman. A woman that was a cancer survivor and wanted to feel beautiful after multiple surgeries and an ugly disease, left her physically, mentally and emotionally scarred. 
It was during this session, that something in me changed. My direction, my purpose for my photography… something in my soul. I knew that I wanted my photography to do something that mattered. I wanted to create images that affected someone and made a difference in their life.
I knew that I either wanted to work with children and or I wanted to work with cancer patients and survivors. There are several organizations that do work in both of these areas in regards to photography. I became a part of one several years ago called Inspiration Through Art. Sadly, this group is no longer in existence.
I’ve kept my eye on a few others and have waited until I felt the timing was right – and that the group truly believed in something I could stand behind.
Today, I am happy to announce, that I have joined the Magic Hour group. http://magichour.org
“Magic Hour’s roots run all the way back to 2007. Photographers Alysa and Alan had received a call from a church member, Ted, who had been sick with an unknown ailment for over a year. His daughter was offering to sell her car so they could afford to pay for a family portrait session. Alysa and Alan told her to keep the car, and did the photo shoot for free. Ted passed away ten days later, and when they attended the memorial, they were surprised to see their images everywhere. That session changed their notion of the power of the camera.
They decided to start the Magic Hour Foundation, named specifically after the yellow light that highlights the morning and evening of everyday. By providing free photo shoots, they would be able to capture the beauty and triumph of more courageous people… and Ted’s light would go on glowing.”
If you have ever talked with me, you know that I believe that everyone should invest in photography. Maybe it is not something you do every year, but you have probably heard me speak to the importance of being present in this moment, no matter your age, size, or whatever else it is that you are worried about. Our photographs are all we have left after we are gone or can no longer tell our story.
I am honored to be a part of a group that is doing amazing things for those affected by cancer. I have no idea how involved I will be with this group. What I do know, if it allows me to connect with one person, and make a difference in their life, and give them something they might not have been able to have… It will all be worth it.
I still have big dreams about my photography and how I can make a difference… but today… this is a step in the right direction.
All my love
Brooke
brooke@beautifulevolutions.com
by Beautiful Evolutions | Jul 29, 2015 | FAQ
There are so many photographers around. How do you know which one is right for you? Is it worth the money, it seems so expensive?
The reality is… booking a photo session is a luxury, but also a necessity if you place the value on the right things. Think about it this way… your children are only this age for a very short time. Your lives are only in this place for a fleeting moment. Have you ever sat down and looked through old pictures with your family? How special is it to see your parents as young people?
These moments pass by so quickly and photographs are all we will have to be able to tell our stories after we can no longer do so.
With so many photographers around, how do you know which one to choose? My advice is this, look at their images. Look through the photos posted and decide if you are drawn to them. Do you love the colors? Do you love how casual everyone looks? Do you prefer the images that are very posed and structured? Do you like that the people that are captured have their hair and make up done? These are all very important things to consider when choosing your photographer.
My goal in each session is to capture a little bit of someone’s personality and soul. I want to create images with my clients that truly tell a story. My style… is casual, and fun, bright colors, soft and romantic images. I love when the wind blows someone’s hair just right. I love when your child refuses to have their pictures taken… and I manage to get 5 minutes, when they aren’t paying attention and I see them… I really see them. 
I love images that show the world that in the midst of all the chaos… this is who you are, right now, in this moment, this weight, this smile… beautiful, just being you.
What I am not… I am not a photographer that takes extremely posed images. I do not want my clients to look heavily made up. I am not going to shoot your images in a studio. I am not going to overly edit all of your images and make you appear to be someone that you really are not. There is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with images like this. I still look at some of them and think, wow, that photographer is great. But it is not my style. It is not who I am… I want to stay true to my heart and my passion.
Photography can be expensive. I know. I get it. I’m on a budget as well. However, I also know the value of having images that move my soul and allow me to look back at different points in my life. I smile, I cry, I run through every emotion with every picture. So yes, it’s a luxury to book a photo session. But I also see it as a necessary… life is so busy – what a fabulous gift to be able to stop it in a moment and capture that moment for a lifetime. 
Find a photographer that will take the time to connect with you. I love that my clients become my friends. I love that I could call any of my past clients and meet for happy hour or dinner. I am blessed every single time a photograph someone to get to know them and be a part of their lives. Thank you to all of my past clients that have become friends, and hello to those of you I have not yet had the chance to meet yet.
Much Love
Brooke
by Beautiful Evolutions | Jun 18, 2015 | FAQ
It’s been a while. I’ve taken select shoots here and there. I have slowly refocused and redefined what I want and how I want to achieve it. I have new dreams. But before I get to that… I want to be real. For those that have believed in me, for those that have been previous clients and for those that I have let down.
We all have crazy, tumultuous lives. Mine is no different. Maybe a different set of circumstances, but I have challenges and face obstacles in my life every.single.day. I stopped shooting full-time in 2013. At the end of 2012, I decided… in the midst of my life falling apart, I would pursue shooting full time. I got a studio. A studio that literally had my blood sweat and tears in it from remodeling. Some of the blood sweat and tears belonged to my closest friends. Those that loved me helped me more than I could ever explain. However, mentally… I was not in a good place. As my life continued to crumble I began to let things slip and fall. The balls I had juggled for so long, began to fall. Suddenly, it was easier to let it all go and then stick my head in the sand and pretend I was an ostrich.
I lost everything. I lost myself. I lost my dreams.
Now, two years later… I no longer feel as though I am under water and I feel as though I can officially say I see the light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, I can maybe even tell you that I don’t feel like I am in a tunnel any longer. I have disappointed my friends and family, clients, and most importantly myself. There is some damage that can never be repaired. There is healing that has been done and healing that continues to be done. I have realized that I cannot take on the world. I cannot work full time, shoot full time, and be present in the life of those that I love. I have learned how to say no. Sometimes, I still struggle with this piece, but I know where my weaknesses are.
I write this as a public way to say that I am walking back into the world of being a photographer. I do this, knowing that I will have to work hard to build trust again. But I am human. I have fallen short, and I will rise back up. I have faith in myself and my ability to be a better person than I have been.
I’ve been listening to a seminar by someone that I am inspired by. Professionally and personally. She has asked a question and one that has had me stumped. “What is your superpower?” I used to be able to joke around about this question. I’ve often said that I should have a cape. But the reality is… I don’t have a superpower. I cannot say that I excel at anything. But, here is what I can say:
I am good at listening to those who need to talk.
I am good at photography.
I love with all that I have.
I am good at writing my thoughts and telling a story.
I am good at multi-tasking (although the finishing seems to be a struggle)
I am a good person.
So no, I don’t have any super powers. I can however, impact the lives of those that I photograph. I want to make an impact with what I am good at. I have a dream of impacting someone’s life by the way I photograph someone. There are several ideas floating around in my mind. I want to ensure that I do it right. I want to ensure that I don’t let people down. I want to ensure that my photography resonates with someone, for good reasons.
So I am slowly easing back in. I am taking a select number of sessions a month. I am redefining what and why I shoot. Thank you to those that have continued to believe in me, even when I have fallen so hard. Thank you for loving me as family friends and clients. Thank you for continuing on this journey with me. Here’s to a future that is amazing.
All my love
Brooke
by Beautiful Evolutions | Jun 8, 2015 | FAQ
I love what I do and especially when I get to shoot certain things the way I see them in my mind. Here is a little behind the scenes from this weekend’s sweet 16 photo shoot.
All My Love
