Tampa 2017

Welcome to: The Different Perspective

Tampa, FL

Through Tampa I saw life, I saw nature, I saw love, I saw loneliness, I saw creativity, I saw confidence, but most of all I saw a different perspective.

03.15.17 - 03.19.17

I've never traveled alone before. Wandering airports, hotels, new cities: all by myself. I ate all the shitty food I wanted, took showers at 2:00am, danced on the bed, sang at the top of my lungs, walked miles for coffee shops, watched the sun rise and set - all by myself.

I'm not going to lie, many times when something exciting or unique would happen I would look to my side wishing someone was there to witness it with me. But at the end of the day I learned to cherish things, experiences, moments, in a completely new light.

Now enter: Scout and Victoria. I had never really met up with anyone from Instagram at this point, but wandering in a new place seemed like the perfect occasion to try. What came next was something I never would have imagined. I felt a stronger connection to two "strangers" than I have with anyone else, simply through the bond of creativity. We laughed, created, wandered, and came together in way that seems to take years with friends I've had forever. I learned about them, beyond the square photos that represent their Instagram presence. We talked about our successes and failure, and how we want to see our work flow into the future. I learned that not only does Victoria also contribute to Darling Magazine, but that she wrote one of the stories I had a featured image in. Instagram, you made your mark this trip.

Insecurities. We all have them, and we all hate them, and at some point we all have to fight them. I haven't worn a swim suit since 7th grade. I have psoriasis, eczema, stomach rolls, cellulite and pasty white skin -- until now I was allowing my insecurities and the way I looked at my body to define and hold me back from really living. Similarly, I've NEVER had my photos taken. I didn't get senior pictures, and don't even think for a second about modeling. Because I regularly functioned strictly behind the camera I had no idea what to do with my body in front of it. (But its easy right? It's just like riding a bike. Except the bike is on fire and you're on fire and everything is on fire and you're in hell). So you know what I did? I not only scheduled a SHOOT, but I MODELED for a few SWIMSUIT brands. Was I terrified? Yes. Did I constantly rethink it? Yes. Was I awkward? Yes. Did I learn a million things in those short two hours? YES!

It not only showed me that I am beautiful in my skin but changed the way I look at obtaining future content and growing my brand, with the help of other creatives.

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Tampa, you were great. You did good things for me: you had me fight insecurities, taught me to be a stronger, more independent woman, and helped me see a completely new perspective on life. Yes, you challenged me many times but at the end of the day, you were exactly what I needed.