GLAMbassador spotlight: Christan

This resilient lady's story touched our OG GLAMbassadors, they all made sure she was included in the 2018 reps.  I have known her personally since 2009, she actually headed up the fundraiser for me when I went through surgery and treatment for thyroid cancer.  She touches a special place in my heart <3

Let's meet Christan...

I am a mom of 4 (two 16 year olds, 10 year old, 2 year old) who has dedicated her entire adult life to caring for others. I became pregnant with twins at 18 as a Freshman in College.  Many women would have given up on their dreams, dropped out of college, and settled for less than they deserved. Not me. Not only did I complete school, I have earned FIVE college degrees!!! I currently hold 3 Associate's Degrees (Surgical Technology, Criminal Justice, and Health Science/Paramedic), a BA in Behavior Analysis, and a Master's Degree in Health Psychology. Four of my degrees were obtained while being a single mom!

I have been a Paramedic for 15 years and a Guardian ad Litem for 9.  Advocacy is my PASSION!!! I have lived my life in a manner that encourages others to find their voice and when that task has been too daunting or impossible, I have been their voice.  I currently work in a regulatory office and advocate for EMS professionals, patients, and agencies throughout SC. Additionally, I serve as a Mental Health provider for the First Responders of SC; teaching awareness classes and presenting prevention education to all Fire and EMS personnel in the State in an effort to mitigate the effects of the traumatic experiences that are a workplace hazard for these men and women. Diagnosed with Complex PTSD and OCD related to my experiences in the field, I understand the struggle these men and women often face. I also advocate, on their behalf, with the SC Legislator to improve Mental Health benefits for all First Responders in SC. I live the "No man is an Island" mantra and work tirelessly to prove to everyone placed in my path that they are 'enough' and deserve all the happiness this life can give.

I was diagnosed with Lupus in July of 2010 and struggle with the effects of this autoimmune disease everyday. Lupus has been a huge life changer for me as I suffer from constant pain and a myriad of ailments that vary from day to day. But I refuse to let it define me. I am a fighter and I will not allow it to rob my children of a mother, my husband of a wife, and my family & friends of my presence. I was diagnosed with Oral and Esophageal cancer in the fall of 2013 and spent the first half of 2014 undergoing chemo while working full time and running a household with 3 kids and a husband. Chemo was stopped when I became pregnant in June of 2014 and I have been in remission now for 3 years, 6 mths and 7 days. As if those illnesses were not enough, I was diagnosed with Autoimmune Hepatitis in the Winter of 2016 as a result of the Lupus. Despite the weight gain I have experienced due to the ever changing medication regimens and the carrying/birthing of 4 babies, I know I am beautiful and strive to live everyday to the fullest... while keeping it real on Facebook - Ha!!

I want to be a GLAMbassador because I want to help women realize they are so much more than their past, their medical conditions, and their current circumstances!!!!! EVERY woman is an amazing myriad of beauty, brains, and badassedness (is that a word?!?!)... sometimes we just have to be reminded of that. I want to help women to find their sexy again (or for the first time if needed), to find their voice again, and to fall in love with who they are... right now, today.

I believe wholeheartedly in your mission and pray I am given the opportunity to join the movement!!!

by Jenn

GLAMbassador spotlight: Amber

I will be introducing you to our team of GLAMbassadors over the next few weeks.  These ladies answered very specific questions and left incredibly personal and moving responses in order to qualify to rep our company.  It was one of the hardest decisions I've made for the company because I wanted to pick everyone.  I have a group of "OG" GLAMbassadors who helped me pick.

Let's meet Amber...

I am a 37 year old single mother. I had my daughter when I was 17. Everyone including family had zero faith my child nor I would amount to much. I got married at 20 to a man my parents thought was right for me and I had my son at 22. I was so depressed and unhappy with the way my life had turned out. I was supposed to be happy because everyone else was happy. For a long time I followed the path everyone else had mapped out for me. At 27, I broke free from that situation to only fall into another failed relationship. What’s the chances of falling in love with a narcissist man that would only beat you down more?!?! Actually very likely! I was more damaged than I ever thought. Moving forward, into my 30’s I discovered after putting myself through a ton of counseling, that I hadn’t loved myself in the past. I’ve learned to love every stretch mark from having a child early as a teen! I have learned to love my thick thighs! I’m not only beautiful as a person, but my heart is amazing! I have raised an exceptional young lady that is now 20 years old, that is in college at West GA University on a Softball scholarship. She’s wonderful! She is in school to be a nurse. Her heart is amazing! My son also has an amazing heart and is a Freshman in high school.  I have learned their hearts are great because they have watched my greatness over the years! They hold me up high like I should hold myself! I fought over the years going through all of the above to become a Commercial Property Underwriter that networks to thousands of people in bordering states for a Multi-Billion company! I have won awards of greatness at my Company and have remained in this business for the last 14 years. Women are so much stronger than we give ourselves credit for! Lastly, after dealing with all I have the narcissist went to jail and his ex-wife and I raise his children (two girls 10 &7) to love themselves and strive to be exceptional women! Her and I are survivors and our goal of forming as one unit is to empower our daughters to be great in life! By showing them women can love each other no matter the circumstance, they will love themselves enough to avoid bad people and only pick people in their lives that will hold them high as they should be held! It is so important to love yourself good and bad! God made me perfect! I will never forget that!

I am very comfortable with who I am and my speaking skills with others and in large groups. I would love to be a spokes person for women to hear my story and see my successes through a nasty storm! I’m very open on Facebook/social media. I have nothing to be ashamed of! Only a great story to share with other women and people as a whole to never stop moving forward and being great! Sexy is strong in the mind and heart! Loving yourself is the first step!

by Jenn

Glam Gang Party | Tannery Row Ale House

I'm SO excited to announce the details for our one year studio party... the location is absolutely perfect for our style - it's in an old Mill, just like us!

• When: July 21 from 8pm-11pm
• Where: Tannery Row Ale House 554 W Main St, Buford GA 30518
• Cost: $5/person for pre sale tickets
• Included: Live music from Back in Black (AC DC  tribute band), 1 drink (wine or beer), wing bar
• Deadline: First come first serve, max of 150 guests.  Must RSVP by July 7 with a purchased ticket.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKET!!!

The $5 cover charge is in addition to the $5/person we are contributing to give ya'll this awesome event! You will also have the option to order from the full bar and menu. Regardless of if you choose to eat or drink, the band alone is worth the $5 cover!

In addition to all this awesomeness... we have a HUGE announcement that will be made at the event. <3 <3 Can't wait to see ya'll there!

We're fun.  Come have fun with us.

by Jenn

Glam Gang: a positive community for women

We recently had a student from The Creative Circus use our company as a model for a project.  The gal that did the project was Kelly Gordon and she was an absolute pleasure to work with.  I want to share some of the data from her presentation because I think it's perfect for a blog post!

Prevention.com conducted a survey on women 40+ years old.  Here's what they found:

• 94% of women ages 40-59 years old and 83% 60+ said that intimate relationships are important to them
• 80% of all survey respondents said they feel optimistic about their future
• 82% of women said they were just as confident now as they were 20 years ago - or more so.
• Nearly half of the women in their 40's and 50's and 1/3 in their 60's reported being happier now than they were 20 years ago.
• 55% of women said they think they look less attractive than 20 years ago - however only 5% ranked their looks as a top priority.

Can we pause here and do some thinking?

My personal opinion is that women 40+ are happier because they've found (or are finding) who they are and who they're meant to be.  The kids are nearly raised, the career is chosen, and we can finally take a breath and say - it's time to do ME!  Once you put yourself as a priority, you will start to feel better about yourself and all of your accomplishments.  Step back and allow yourself a pat on the back.  Growing up is tough, girls are being compared to celebrities and pushed to think they need to be just like them.  How can you find yourself if you're trying so hard to be someone else?  In your 30's and 40's you start to accept that you are YOU and you are fabulous and you better make the best of it!

Despite what mainstream media and society would have you believe, women over 40 are feeling pretty good about themselves.  They may not feel as attractive, but, they have found value in other aspects of who they are:

• intelligence
• confidence
• independence
• sexuality
• wisdom

Our private group on Facebook: Glam Gang | has grown to over 5000 women, who are like minded and ready to cheer each other on!  The groups main purpose is to maintain a positive community/support system of women who can feel secure about sharing who they are and creating new relationships that build each other up.  Lets face it, we as women wear many hates, so many that it can seem that we forget about our own wants and needs in order to provide for those we love.  Career, motherhood, relationships - these are all very important but sometimes you have to take a moment to focus on yourself with no apologies.

Be a little Selfish.  Express yourself.  Focus on what YOU want.

We provide a community where women can feel comfortable about being who they are without judgement and who can be among ladies whom they can relate to.

WE VALUE:

• Body positivity
• Openness
• Support
• Non-judgemental thinking
• Freedom to express oneself
• Honesty
• Empowerment
• Confidence
• Community over competition
• Strength in numbers

"Believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable."

by Jenn

It Was Amazing | Client Testimonial

I have so many blogs to catch up on!  This lovely lady had her boudoir session a  few months ago and her review of the experience makes my heart warm.  Here's what she had to say:

"In the beginning, I chose Mirrored Images because it was a woman photographer, the location and price.  I was curious as to how it was done and in communicating with Jenn, all my questions were answered.  I loved the hair & make up and the poses, I loved feeling so beautiful and sexy!!  It was an amazing experience, I (like most women) am my own worst critic.  Jenn is such an empowering woman, she made me look and feel amazing.  I have told everyone about it and I seriously can't wait to do it again!  When I look at the album, it's amazing and I can't believe that is me!  Jenn, you are seriously not only a talented photographer, you are a beautiful soul that shines through from the beginning, right down to the beautiful handwritten thank you card.  My experience was amazing and I have shouted your praises to anyone that will listen!"

<3 <3 <3

by Jenn

Join the Tribe | Boudoir Studio

Don't you want to join the tribe?

I started our VIP group on Facebook in June, I was hesitant to make a group of ladies only where boudoir would be the hot topic.  Boudoir isn't something that EVERYONE is on board with right away.  I believe through education and testimonials, more women are coming around to the idea of boudoir and that it isn't JUST pictures in your panties.  The group has over 2200 members, and facebook tells me that 2100 are active.  That's INCREDIBLE!!  The members are active on a regular basis giving support and love to each other.  It is rarely about boudoir, rather a tribe of women who all want the same thing.... community over competition, positivity, and growth as individuals.

It doesn't matter where you live, what your career is, whether or not you have children... this group of women, this tribe, will be encouraging to you and something you look forward to when you open facebook.

Join us. You can leave at any time.

by Jenn

1900's studio

We are OBSESSED with our 1900's studio, it is full of charming goodness... and fits right into our style.  We finished decorating our expanded space and I took a few shots to share and figured... it's been a while since I took pictures of our actual studio side!  We hope ya'll love this as much as we do.  There is SO much thought that goes into every piece and placement... I'm slightly obsessive.  The larger side is available for hourly/daily rental so check this page out for info: North Atlanta Venue Rental.

by Jenn

Best of Hall 2018 | Photography Studio

You GUYS!  We are SO excited to be named Best of Hall 2018 for Photography Studio in Hall County  Georgia! YAY!  We love our studio space in Gainesville, it has opened up many opportunities for us to meet incredible people in the area.  On Feb 1 we joined the other winners of Best of Hall 2018 for a celebration at Scotts Downtown in the heart of Gainesville, Georgia.  We were asked to not tell ANYONE that we won (along with other winners) so when I ran into my buddy Diane Acuna from Acuna Custom Cakes, I was SO excited for her that she won best Wedding Bakery.  For those that attended our open house or the Paint & Sip party we hosted... those were her delicious cup cakes <3 <3 Big congrats to all the winners, and thank you Gainesville Times & Scotts Downtown for hosting a fun event for us!

My girls Staci and Meghan weren't able to join us, I never check our mailbox at the studio and learned about the event just a few days prior.  Luckily my handsome wasn't out of town on business and enjoyed the meet and mingle with me <3

Click to see the full list of winners in the Best of Hall 2018 Magazine!

Above photo: credit David Barnes

Pardon the crappy iPhone pic ;)

PS- I know you can't tell I'm "SO excited" by the pictures, I had the beginning stages of a sinus infection and was on the struggle bus :D

by Jenn