When @tirreab reached out to me for a photoshoot, I nearly fell out of my chair. Whenever another documentary filmmaker (who focuses on social + racial justice) lands on my radar, I take my relationship with them to heart. Our missions are driven directly by our experiences and an incurable need to see the world do better. There’s so much emotion behind our work... That’s why it was so inspiring to meet Tirrea. Whenever I get a shoot request, I ask the client why they’d like to do a photoshoot/what their reason is for wanting photos. Tirrea told me she tries to do at least one photoshoot for herself every year to document her journey. I think there’s something really significant about that... while her daily work leads her to tell the stories of others, she allows herself to see the beauty in her own story. She gives herself the gift of celebrating herself so that she can give that energy back 10-fold to the people whose lives are forever changed because of her work. I guess I say all this because many people view photoshoots as a luxury item, or something that is only needed on “special occasions,” which by and large is true... but I invite you to see yourself as the special occasion. You are special. You’ve done so much and will do so much more. Documenting your life will never be something you regret. I hope some of this resonated with you 🖤 Big shoutout to @mercyme.dc for letting us do our thing in your space. It means so much! #dcphotographer #personalportraits #dmvphotographer #womeninfilm #womenfilmmakers #dcphotoshoot