There’s something I’ve heard from several of the people I’ve photographed for BARE that I wasn’t necessarily expecting: “I wanted to do this because it is completely outside my comfort zone.” But instead of that being the reason not to do it, it was actually part of the reason they wanted to.

I find that really interesting, because BARE was never meant to be an experience only for people who are naturally comfortable in front of a camera. Honestly, most people aren’t. You don’t have to walk into the studio feeling confident, know how to pose or have any idea what you’re going to do once you’re standing in front of me. That’s my part of the job.

BARE is a portrait experience, but it’s also a conversation. We talk. We move. We laugh. We try things. Sometimes we make a beautifully composed, perfectly crisp portrait, and sometimes I love the photograph with movement, blur, grain or a little grittiness even more. I’m not always looking for the technically perfect photograph. I’m not looking for you to look perfectly posed. I’m looking for something that feels and looks like you.

What Happens When You Do Something That Makes You a Little Nervous?

Most of us know exactly how we like to be photographed. We know which side we prefer, how we want to stand and which parts of ourselves we’d rather not draw attention to. We also know how quickly we can find something we don’t like when someone shows us a photograph of ourselves.

BARE asks you to loosen your grip on some of that. Not by pushing you into something that doesn’t feel like you, but by giving you room to see yourself a little differently.

For one person, stepping outside their comfort zone might mean wearing something they would never normally wear in front of a camera. For someone else, it might simply mean allowing the focus to be entirely on them. It might mean looking directly into the camera instead of hiding from it, trying something unexpected, or trusting me enough to stop worrying about what every frame looks like while we’re making it.

And here’s the thing: you can be nervous and still do it. In fact, I haven’t had a single person start one of these sessions without being at least a little nervous. You can feel awkward at first and still end up loving the experience. Being outside your comfort zone doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. Sometimes it just means you’re doing something you haven’t given yourself permission to do before.

Maybe That’s Part of What BARE Is

The more BARE sessions I photograph, the more I realize that the finished photographs are only one piece of it. There’s something that happens in the process, too. There’s a point when someone starts thinking less about the camera. They stop trying quite so hard to pose correctly. They laugh. They move. They settle in. They start to trust me. And that’s usually when I start seeing the photographs I love most.

Not because the person suddenly became someone different or magically learned how to be in front of a camera. It’s because they stopped thinking quite so much about how they were being seen and started simply being themselves.

Maybe that’s the part of stepping outside your comfort zone that matters. It doesn’t have to mean doing something extreme or becoming someone you’re not. Sometimes it’s just giving yourself permission to do something you’ve thought about, even when there’s a little voice telling you that you’re too old, too awkward, not photogenic enough, not confident enough—or that this simply isn’t something you would normally do.

You don’t have to wait until you feel completely comfortable. Sometimes you just have to be curious enough to see what happens when you do it anyway. If you’ve been thinking about doing something a little outside your comfort zone, maybe BARE is exactly that something. You don’t need to know how to pose, feel confident in front of a camera, or have a special reason to be photographed. You just need to show up as yourself, and we’ll take it from there.

Curious about BARE? I’d love to tell you more about this one-of-a-kind portrait experience at my Indianapolis studio. Explore BARE Unfiltered and see what it’s all about.

Come as you are. Leave seen.

“I’m not photogenic.” “I have no idea how to pose.” “Maybe after I lose 20 pounds.”

If you’ve ever thought any of those things, you’re exactly the kind of person BARE Unfiltered was created for.

One of the biggest misconceptions about a BARE Unfiltered session is that it’s about looking perfect. It’s understandable that people have that thought, because historically, we’ve equated photos to looking flawless. This is not that. It’s about showing up exactly as you are and discovering that who you are right now is already enough.

Whether you’re celebrating a new chapter, healing from an old one, building confidence, documenting your story, or simply wanting photos that actually feel like you, here’s exactly what happens during a BARE Unfiltered session.

First… What Is BARE Unfiltered?

BARE Unfiltered is an experience unlike traditional portraits or headshots. It’s part portrait session, part storytelling, and—many clients will tell you—part therapy.

Instead of focusing on perfect poses and forced smiles, we focus on movement, emotion, connection, and authenticity. There are no fake laughs, no awkward “chin down, shoulder back” for an hour, and no pretending to be someone you’re not.

The goal isn’t to create the most polished version of you. It’s to capture the truest version.

Before Your Session

Every session begins long before the camera comes out. We’ll talk about why you’re doing this, what season of life you’re in, what you hope to remember years from now, and how you want these images to feel. Some women come after a divorce, illness, weight loss, becoming a mom, becoming an empty nester, starting a business, or reaching a milestone birthday. Others don’t have one defining reason—they’re simply tired of waiting until they feel “ready.” That reason is enough.

You’ll also receive guidance on what to wear, how to prepare, and what to expect, so you never have to wonder if you’re doing it “right.” But trust me – it’s way easier than the prep for most sessions! In fact, you’re ordered to not go shopping!

Yes… You’ll Probably Be Nervous

Let me tell you something that almost every client is surprised to hear. Every single person who has walked through my studio door has been at least a little nervous. Every one. It’s hard to believe, because the photos don’t portray that.

Some are simply quiet and unsure of what to expect. Others openly admit they’re terrified. Many tell me they almost canceled because they were convinced they weren’t photogenic, didn’t know how to pose, or didn’t feel confident enough to be in front of the camera. And yet, every single one of them took a deep breath and walked through the door anyway.

Within a few minutes, something begins to change. We start talking. We laugh. We move. The focus shifts away from “How do I look?” and toward simply being present.

By the end of the session, that nervous energy has almost always turned into relief—and often excitement. Not because you suddenly become someone different, but because you realize you never had to perform in the first place.

You Don’t Need to Know How to Pose

This might be the biggest relief of all. You do not need modeling experience. In fact, I’d rather you didn’t have it.

Instead of placing you in stiff poses, I’ll guide you through natural prompts that encourage genuine movement. You might walk through the studio, stretch, dance a little, close your eyes, breathe deeply, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket, or simply sit on the floor while we talk.

Movement creates emotion. Emotion creates connection. Connection creates photographs that actually feel alive.

The best images almost always happen in the moments between the poses—the little laughs, the deep breaths, the genuine smiles you didn’t even realize happened.

We’ll Talk … A Lot

Most people expect a photoshoot to be quiet. A BARE Unfiltered session is anything but.

We’ll spend the session talking about your family, your dreams, what you’ve overcome, what you’re proud of, and what you’re still figuring out. Sometimes we laugh until we cry. Sometimes we actually cry. Those conversations aren’t distractions They’re part of the experience.

When you’re engaged in a real conversation, you stop thinking about the camera. That’s when your guard comes down, and that’s when the photographs become something much deeper than portraits.

There’s No Pressure to Be “Confident”

One of the biggest myths about BARE Unfiltered is that you have to arrive feeling confident. You don’t. Confidence isn’t the starting point. It’s often the result.

Many women show up feeling awkward, self-conscious, or convinced they’ll hate every photograph. They apologize before we’ve even started. They tell me they’re uncomfortable in front of the camera. None of that disqualifies you.

You don’t need to become more confident before booking a session. You simply need to show up. Somewhere along the way, you’ll stop worrying about whether you’re standing correctly or smiling enough. You’ll start laughing more naturally, moving more freely, and forgetting that a camera is even in the room.

What Should You Wear?

There isn’t one perfect outfit for a BARE Unfiltered session. Some women wear jeans and a sweater. Others choose a favorite dress, a blazer, athletic wear, or something that’s been hanging in the closet waiting for the right occasion. The best wardrobe is simply one that feels like you. Some opt for a t-shirt and undies.

Neutrals, textures, and timeless pieces photograph beautifully, but authenticity will always matter more than trends. Years from now, I don’t want you to remember what was fashionable, I want you to recognize yourself.

Can I Include My Business Brand?

Absolutely! BARE Unfiltered works great for brands because they’re looking for branding images that feel like themselves instead of corporate headshots. And let’s be honest. These stand out and grab your attention way better than a standard headshot.

Rather than standing against a white backdrop with your arms crossed, we’ll create photographs that communicate your personality, your passion, and the story behind your business. These images are perfect for your website, social media, podcasts, speaking engagements, magazines, and marketing materials because people connect with people, not perfection.

What If I Cry?

Then we let it happen. And then I’ll probably cry.

Some sessions are joyful. Some are reflective. Some include tears. Every emotion belongs here.

You don’t have to keep it together or pretend everything is fine. Sometimes the strongest portrait happens moments after someone stops trying to hide what they’re feeling. Those are often the photographs clients treasure the most.

What Happens After the Session?

After your session, I’ll carefully curate and very lightly edit your images while preserving what makes you you. There will be no heavy Photoshop edits.

When your gallery is ready, you’ll be able to choose your favorite images or upgrade to a larger collection. Many clients also choose Storybooks because these photographs deserve to live somewhere beyond a phone screen.

The Most Common Thing I Hear

Almost every client says the same thing when they see their gallery. “I can’t believe that’s me.”

Not because they suddenly look different. Because, often for the first time in a long time, they see themselves the way the people who love them already do.

Strong. Beautiful. Real. Enough.

Is BARE Unfiltered Right for You?

A BARE Unfiltered session might be exactly what you’re looking for if you’re celebrating a milestone, navigating a life transition, building confidence, growing a business, documenting your story, or simply tired of hiding from the camera.

You don’t need to lose weight first. You don’t need to become more confident first. You don’t need a special occasion. You just need to show up.

Your Story Is Worth Remembering

There will always be a reason to wait. A few more pounds. A busier season. A little more confidence. A better time. But the version of you sitting here today deserves to be remembered, too.

Years from now, these photographs won’t remind you what size jeans you wore. They’ll remind you how you laughed, how you felt, and who you were becoming. Trust me. You’ll look back and want to revisit!

That’s the story I want to help you tell.

If you’re ready to experience a session that feels more like an afternoon of conversation than a photoshoot, I’d love to create something meaningful with you!! See more info here and read some testimonials and then learn more about pricing and model calls HERE.