April 1st began a series that will allow me to be transparent about the people that have influenced my personal and professional growth. When I look at where I have achieved success, I can honestly say that I never did it alone. There was always someone there that believed in me, motivated me, encouraged me, or pushed me to continue. This series is dedicated to those people!

“If you admire somebody, you should go ahead and tell them. People never get the flowers while they can still smell them.” ― Kanye West

DAY 18: ERICKA MARIE (ERICKA MARIE MAKE-UP ARTIST)

As I wind down to the last few days of Watermarks on My Soul, I can’t help but realize how blessed I am to have met some really awesome people.  I am a true believer that things don’t just happen, but there is a connection or the potential connection to something greater…a greater purpose or a greater reason.  I think it’s one of those things that’s just hard to explain.  I’ll just say that I never in my wildest dreams pictured myself living in Virginia and has only planned to stay here for 2-3 years. Well I am going on year number 7 of living here and I can honestly say that this place has grown on me and allowed me to grow.

Watermarks on My Soul Day 18 is dedicated to Ericka Marie.  One year we participated in the Help Project at the homeless shelter in Fredericksburg, VA.  Ericka was applying make-up and I was there to take photos. We actually had a number of photographers show up and we ended up with more photographers than people or families to photograph, so I ended up coordinating the families with the available photographers.  I found myself going from the hair and make-up room to the make-shift studios that were set up in the shelter.  While I only took a few photos, the experience was a very rewarding one.  While in the make-up room I met Ericka and I saw how she worked with the residents of the shelter so professional and so caring.  I also loved how beautiful she made the ladies look.  I got her card and knew that I wanted to stay in touch with her for future shoots.

I know I’ve said this about so many people but Ericka is so nice that it makes her external beauty that much greater.  Last year, I had a vision to create a stylized wedding shoot for photographers because there were a number of new and experienced photographers that wanted more experience with weddings.  I stepped out on faith that I could make this happen and solicited help from Lacoya (Hello Love Events) when it became a little overwhelming.  I asked Ericka  if she would donate her make-up services and she agreed!  I am so thankful that there are people that believe in my random visions and ideas because without them I am nothing and I can do nothing.  She shoot was a success!

Ericka and I worked together on my Senior Shoot as well last year and I had been telling her that I wanted to do a shoot with her.  She kept telling me she wasn’t photogenic! I had another idea about using her in a bright dress and putting her in the woods or water for a shoot.  She was all for it but reminded me again that she wasn’t photogenic. One warm Saturday in October we got together to shoot.  I asked her to lay on rocks, broken logs, tree branches and on a creek bed and she was all for it!  Even when she was in pain from being posed in between two rocks, she didn’t complain.  She just allowed me to take pictures.  Even when someone walked by and warned us of the beavers, she just allowed me to take pictures!  Of course its not my goal to make the experience painful or dangerous but she trusted me enough to carry out my vision.

I’m looking forward to another shoot idea that we came up with right after our last shoot that we will execute this June!  I’m so excited she is one again trusting me with this idea.  Stay tuned….

Ericka thank you for being such a kind soul.  I was truly sad that you had to move away but since you reminded me that you aren’t that far away, I look forward to us working together!  You may be the excuse I need to do an NYC shoot!  Love you!

• Watermarks on my Soul : The Why
• Watermarks on my Soul : Day 1 – My Parents
• Watermarks on my Soul : Day 2- Rae Images
• Watermarks on my Soul : Day 3- Quad and Keisha Smith
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 4- Laura Huntley Photography
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 5- Mark Baskin
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 6- Andre Dalton
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 7- Leroy Walker, Jr.
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 8-  The Champions
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 9- The Woolfolks
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 10- Abby Grace
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 11- Lacoya Heggie
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 12- The Gaines Family
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 13- Randi Blakeney
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 14- Monica, Farrah, Kara and Christie
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 15- Pastor Aaron and First Lady Shaunta’
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 16- Brandi Crosby
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 17- Danielle Finney