A Skeptical Hype Woman’s Ongoing Story

Hi, I’m Roxanne. There are new folks here and I haven’t just said HEY in a bit- 

I’m Roxanne -Photographer. Storyteller. Hype woman. Mama of four. Flaming extrovert. MS warrior. Former teacher. Spicy-food enthusiast. Dancer for any reason ever. Woman of faith.

And a person with absolutely no problem talking to strangers.

I love people. I love asking questions. I want to know why you started your business, why you keep doing it, what matters to you now and what you’re becoming next.

Because when you’ve been heads-down building something for years, it can be hard to stop long enough to really look at it. Sometimes you need somebody else to notice.

And one of my favorite moments in this work is when a client looks at her images and says:

“This feels so me.”

My clients call me a hype woman.

And I freaking love that.

But here’s the funny part: I’m also skeptical.

Tell me something is amazing and there’s a good chance my first thought is:

Who says? Where’s the proof?

That’s actually how I learned this was one of my gifts. That asking tough questions matter and that looking beyond just what is typical or obvious has so much value in storytelling. 

Women started crying when they saw their images.

They told me they had never loved photos of themselves before.

Business owners told me our time together was the first time they had stopped long enough to appreciate what they had actually built.

So yes, I will celebrate you so hard.

But I’m not standing behind my camera handing out generic compliments because that’s what photographers are supposed to do.

I’m paying attention.

And when I see something good, beautiful, brave, weird, funny or completely you?

I’m going to say it out loud.

We start with what’s real.

Listen, I am all for fabulous hair, great makeup and excellent lighting (and that is a given).

And if your pens are ugly, I may tell you to get better pens.

But I’m not going to hand you a coffee cup you’d never use, make you pretend you journal every morning or turn you into some bougier version of yourself because somebody decided that’s what a successful personal brand looks like.

We’re going to elevate what’s there. Not invent someone who isn’t.

Beautifully? Absolutely, yes.

Honestly? Always. And Amen! 

Cheering for you!