My (first) Year of YES - part 2
My (first) Year of YES!
Part 2
Today’s installment of saying yes to doing all of the things you normally hold yourself back from due to fear is dedicated to my bestie, Elise Kutt. Elise is the insanely talented owner and #bossbabe behind Mod Bettie Portraits. My other bestie (I’m truly blessed and incredibly grateful to have multiple besties that continue to inspire me daily,) Jenn Bartlett, does hair and makeup at this particular photography studio.
Sidenote: Jenn is also an incredible artist, writer, and musician that is responsible for the band Lokella. She’s also hilarious, one of my favorite people to spend time with, and responsible for the copy on my website.
I digress; back to sessions at Mod Bettie.
Whenever Jenn posted a shot on Instagram from a Mod Bettie shoot, I dreamt about how fun it would be to do that someday. I, of course, talked myself out of it for a year or two. I’m pretty conservative, physically and emotionally, so it took a lot of internal pep talks to convince myself to do this. I’ve never felt completely comfortable in my own skin and I’ve found difficulty in talking about myself. I eventually sent an inquiry and was soon in contact with Elise. I did not know Elise before my first consult with her but that didn’t matter, the feeling of ease came instantaneously and a feeling of sudden confidence came over me. I also secretly hoped I could trick her into becoming my best friend.
My shoot with Mod Bettie was two years ago and the sense of empowerment I gained that single day with Elise, Jenn and Hayley has not subsided. It was incredibly fun to feel like a model for a day. To receive a pamper session of professional hair and makeup, a team to prep you for your photos, style your wardrobe, guide you in posing and facial expressions and standing by for adjustments was like an experience that I’d never had or thought I needed. I think most women constantly compare themselves to celebrities and models on magazine covers and that can feel exhausting and impossible. This experience evened out the playing field for me. Anyone can look like a model with a team of professionals but the entire experience was so much more than anything superficial. Elise’s elevator speech is “to provide a safe and supportive environment for female expression” and man, does she deliver. With her support and expertise, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and it was truly remarkable. I left feeling like I could conquer the world.
The first thing I conquered? Tricking Elise into becoming my bestie. She created the logo and website for Wandering Roots and for mine and my husband’s landscape company, Red Cedar Landscapes. So much of my success is a direct result from meeting her. Elise, I’m forever in your debt, and I REALLY love you!
So do me AND you a favor: do something that terrifies you (to be clear: in a good way, not a life-threatening way) and do it today. What are you waiting for? What’s the worst that could happen?
Images by Personal Branding Maven Elise Kutt at Mod Bettie Portraits
My name is Anna VanAgtmael, and I am a certified yoga instructor with a passion for yoga, travel, and connecting with others.
I believe in trying everything once. My values lie in collecting memories over things. Though we desire adventure and authentic experiences, naturally our fear holds us back.
My ambition is to inspire and encourage you to unmask your fears and jump into the unknown.
Anna VanAgtmael | Yoga Enthusiast | Trip Planning Wizard