On Thursday October 3, 2013 I met Nansi, a beautiful woman who was rather shy but had something inside of her. I don’t know what that something was but I knew if fueled with the right ambition she could be dangerous. This was my first time meeting her and I was so very nervous, would I be able to do her justice with my camera. As a photographer I always worry about making my clients look as good in print as they do in real life. When you are chosen to create these memories for families it’s a HUGE responsibility of trust that someone places on you. These are moments that you more often than not will never get back, and as for Nansi THIS WAS A SPECIAL MOMENT! Nansi was the VERY first winner in THE discover YOUR BEAUTY Photo sessions that my studio along with the Lupus Foundation of America Tri State Chapter have come together to bring to local lupus patients. Nansi and I met at the Waterworks in Fairmount Park and the day was as beautiful as she was. And while she was filled with nerves she over posing and what to do it did not take long for her to find a comfort in front of my camera and become at ease. Her session lasted all of 25 minutes and we got some stunning images of this woman! It was such an honor to become part of her life. While talking Nansi I found out that she is awaiting her Second Kidney transplant. Her sister was a match the first time and but as a result of her Lupus Nansi will need a new kidney. Her story is so much more than this but I share this small piece of it to show the enormity of this disease and the impact it has on the lives of those not only with it but their family members as well. I have so many stories of empowerment in my inbox and cannot wait to share them as I walk this journey with each of these woman…and men because each story leaves me with Goosebumps and a smile or tear. But either way I come out a better person for it. And to end this I was diagnosed with systemic Lupus at the age of 12 and believe that Lupus does not have to define you. Become Empowered. Learn. Educate. Believe you are more than the disease. Lots of Love to everyone on this journey XOXO Wanda
