Peaceful Warrior
Shakari reached out to me earlier this year in the midst of COVID with great news of her upcoming graduation. She really ministered to me in that moment as she explained that she had been confronted with the reality that her original expectation for a ceremony and grad party would not go as planned. So she PIVOTED. She didn't pour out PITY for herself, she PIVOTED. She changed her perspective and decided the celebration could prosper in pictures. Her session was beautiful. I scouted her spot last minute once I received an image of her beautiful dress. The location was perfect and it affirmed all the colors she was to wear - PLUS it would be secluded! She had driven over 10 hours through the night just to shoot with me. This is a fact I did not know until our shoot was over. Keep that in mind as this story progresses. Shakari shows up right on time with her hair twisted and cascading just below her shoulders. She jumps out her car and makes it a priority to hug me and our mutual friend. When Shakari greets you it feels real. She not only hugs you but she takes a moment to acknowledge you and let the moment envelope you. That moment reminded me that Kari (my nick name for her, along with Shakari Sunshine) has always been, even on first day I met her, an incredibly intuitive and empathetic person. It shows in all that she does. She's even intuitive about the people she surrounds herself with. I say this because she requested our mutual friend to join us and I was down for it because this friend has assisted me on shoots in the past anyway. And I cannot forget the friend that accompanied her on the ride there. She was our makeup artist for the shoot and her name was Keeona. She matched Kari's energy and looked beautiful. In between down times when Kari changed her clothes I snuck some portraits of Keeona because her work (even on her own face) was amazing and I had to capture her. You may be asking why I am choosing to give a run down of the day and it's because I learned so many things from this session. I'll share:
IRON SHARPENS IRON:
Kari constantly encourages and supports her circle. I know it personally because of my own connection with her but I had the opportunity to witness it when she spoke into Keeona during our shoot. She was a walking, talking billboard for her friend. Within minutes of meeting up with Kari, she had already given us the run down of Keeona's work history, accolades and skills.
She's so good please visit her at www.instagram.com/keeonajbeauty
FOCUS ON THE PROMISE:
Kari knows what path God is setting her on. So she never worries. In the sense that she doesn't make fearful moves. She pivots and moves with Grace. I've never seen her frazzled. I have to chalk it up to relationship and knowing what she has been promised is the assurance that every step is for a reason.
GRATEFULNESS:
I don't claim to know all of what she has on her plate. However, I do know she has responsibilities most of us couldn't fathom handling. But one would NOT know this by looking at her. Her disposition is always so calming, joyful and unselfish. I know that she is a blessed young woman. And the blessings will keep coming because she remains in a posture of gratefulness. She often makes me think of the saying "To whom much is given, much is required."
Heavy is the Crown but you're wearing it well my dear.
This our Ode 2 Shakari.
