Contemplating Beauty

One of my biggest goals for 2016 was to grow as a photographer, and to start expressing myself artistically through this incredible medium. With only hours left in the year, I'm excited to share my first piece, "Contemplating Beauty." The timing couldn't be more perfect. As we begin the New Year, masses of people will start short-lived routines and lifestyle changes because the world tells them that they need to be more beautiful. They stare in the mirror for hours on end looking for change, looking for progress, when the real change needs to happen in the heart. Is seeking a healthy lifestyle and outward beauty a bad thing? Of course not. But finding your identity in these things can often leave you feeling incomplete, and even just a little broken inside. My hope and prayer for the New Year is that we all start looking a little deeper to find the true beauty in one another. I hope that we place more value on friendships and authenticity, rather than the superficial standards that we often are faced with every day. I hope this image challenges you to think just a little deeper on these matters, and I especially hope you have a safe and happy New Year.

"Contemplating Beauty"

Photographer: Miguel Monroy

Model: Jessica Vaurtard

Special thanks to Antonio Pantoja for his inspiration and passion for helping photographers in our community, and to Chuck Heeke for helping me along in my journey as a photographer. And an extra special thanks to Jessica for being so incredible to work with! You are a prime example of true beauty, from the inside out :-)