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The Negus Project: Ron – A Vintage Man
The Negus Project: Ron, Vintage Man
Black men deserve their flowers while they are alive. Ron is a sweetheart and was so gracious. I was so honored that he allowed me to capture him. Enjoy!
What brings you joy?
FASHION! As a vintage reseller I have a passion and love of vintage clothing, really all clothing! My business has allowed me to branch into personal styling and now I have the pleasure of bringing joy and happiness to others through fashion.
What does vulnerability mean for you as a Black man? Do you feel you can show your vulnerability as a Black man?
Being able to clearly communicate my feelings and emotions is vulnerability. As a black man, I have to be very careful who I allow to see me in a vulnerable state. Many times the feelings and emotions of black men misunderstood. Showing strength and pride makes you aggressive, showing compassion and love makes you weak! I feel most comfortable being vulnerable when I trust the people around me. If the trust is not there I will have my guard up.
What makes you proud of being a Black man?
Being apart of culture of people who continue to strive for greatness in a world that is not set up for us to win.
How do you show up for yourself?
Going to the gym allows me to start my day with a clear mind to start my day. I have made my health a priority for the last 10 years.
Has this experience impacted you in some way?
This experience was a step out of my comfort zone, which actually very eye-opening. It’s not often as a black man, am I asked what makes me happy or how do I feel about myself or my life. Also taking photos showing my body was something that I was never really comfortable with, but this shoot allowed me to show or not show, and that made me open up even more.
What do you want other Black men who are considering doing the project to know?
Be open to something different! This opportunity allows you to be you with out strings attached.
To view the other men in the project click on their names:
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Olesha Haskett of Ohexperience Boudoir Photography: 5 Things You Need To Heal After a Dramatic Loss Or Life Change
5 Things You Need To Heal After a Dramatic Loss Or Life Change is about sharing your most painful moments in life for others to thrive and not just survive. Sharing your pain is never easy. It doesn’t matter if it happened 10 minutes or 20 years ago. The beauty in sharing your healing story is someone can see your growth and know it is possible for them too. I was asked to be a part of a series on healing from a dramatic loss by sharing 5 things I needed to heal. If you do not know my full story I talk briefly about my losses in the article. This is my truth and I am sharing it with the world.
Click here to read the article. If you are interested in starting your healing and self-love journey get a copy here. Healing yourself is not linear, it is cyclical. My favorite part of the article is here:
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite Life Lesson Quote is you are your longest and most expensive relationship. Investing in yourself is never time or money wasted. This quote has been relevant in my life because there was a time when I just let myself go. I was stuck, depressed, and felt like I was failing at life. I was nourishing a failing relationship and doing nothing for the relationship I had with myself. Putting another person’s needs before my own and seriously struggling with my mental, financial and spiritual health.
I hope you enjoy and start your journey to healing today. Not because you deserve it, but because you exist. The video is an added bonus with my top 5 tips! Let me know in the comments which one is your favorite.
You May Also Like
Part 3: Boudoir Travels
Patreace’s Boudoir Experience
Theresa’s Boudoir Experience
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Radical Self Care as a Black woman
Radical Self Care as a Black woman. You know how you never realize you need something until you actually experience it? Like you never realize how heavy the shit is you are carrying until someone else brings it up. I decided to take this vacation because little by little I was slowly falling apart. My body, my spirit, and my mind were all in flux. I had so many ideas running through my head and felt like I couldn’t decide on anything. So many projects happening at one time and I decided to just lay my burdens down because it was getting too heavy.
The relief I felt was like, when you gotta pee and you finally make it to the commode. That intense relief that almost feels like an orgasm (or maybe it’s just me 🤷🏾♀️). I felt that as soon as I made it to my room. That relief intensified the next morning as I sat on the balcony and just breathed. My shoulders relaxed and I felt peace. No dms, no notifications, and no emails. Peace like I haven’t felt in since I was in Mexico in August .
That peace allowed me to focus on myself,my vision, and my wins. I was able to block out all distractions and just be. Nothing else mattered but my wants, needs, and desires. It was transformative and very much needed. I have been told many times that I do not celebrate my wins. Like a machine, I keep moving to the next thing. No more.
Almost 6 years ago I reinvented myself and I have not looked back. I authored a workbook journal telling my story to empower others and the reviews make me shed a tear every time. I have created virtual workshops for Black women and femmes to see themselves as the standard of beauty and celebrate their sensuality. I have created spaces for other amazing talented Black boudoir photographers to showcase their work. I am surrounded by other womxn that want to see me succeed beyond my wildest dreams.
I am extremely grateful for what I have and for what I am creating for the future. If you want to take this healing, loving, and affirming journey with me make sure you sign up for the newsletter and get a copy of The Reinvention Workbook Journal. Remember self-care is not selfish, it is selfless. Radical Self Care as a Black woman.
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Get That Old Thang Back!
Working with mothers is such a wonderful experience. I love it because when we talk about the crazy and funny antics their little or big ones get into their faces just glow! Their eyes shine bright, a smile appears and they are caught in the beautiful memory.
This is the same feeling I recreate with a glam experience. You being caught up in the moment of seeing yourself not as a mommy, but as a beautiful womxn. A womxn that gets to define her narrative of what motherhood is to her.
Make sure to sign up for the newsletter, to be notified when the images from this fabulous glam experience go up!
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Finding Freedom in Your Own Body
A few weeks ago I joined Clubhouse after swearing I wasn’t going to do it because I am team Android. Many of the business womxn I know told me it was made for me and my message. I got on and whoa! It was like the damn Wild West on this Clubhouse streets. I was not impressed and was really ready to chuck the duces and keep it moving. After more exploration and really cultivating my interest, I think I kinda got the hang of it now.
A few days into my journey I ran across a room for photographers and decided to join because the title of the room was Purpose and Positivity in Photography. I listened for a while and then decided to get bold and raise my hand to go on stage. I did this because representation matters. As I recall there was only one person of color on the stage. I got on stage talked my shit, answered a question or two, and left.
I received so many messages and follows after this. Amazing messages thanking me for getting on stage and how much it meant to see me there. I was even invited to be apart of a podcast! There will be times when you are uncertain about what you are going to say, but you know you need to speak up. Always speak up, because you never know who is listening and who you inspire.
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST EPISODE HERE:
