Coming Home

A photographic journey of a woman struggling with the idea of her body and her personal accounts of suffering, resistance, surrender, and change. It was truly magical to put this project together with Actress Jessie Arora.

Poetry: Jessie Arora/Atma Things

Photography: Agnes Kiesz/Pure Studios
Hair & Make-up Artist: Sara/Elegant Make-up

"On the precipice of ecstasy

My daemons will face me

On the edge of madness

My angels will call to me

This battle will consume you inside out

This battle will control you outside in"

" It might look like I'm crying but I'm not.

It might look like I'm sad, but I'm not.

It might look like I'm protecting myself, but I'm not.

I am watering my garden of lies.

I am smiling in disguise.

I am holding on for dear life"

" Untie these knots of shame and guilt. Untie these bands of disrespect.  Your hold on me is done and gone.  Your work on me has power none.  You've reigned in my head, you've ruled in my heart, you've stifled my light, and you've suffocated my life.

Silence

Stillness

I will unravel, I will be gentle, I will be kind, I will be tender, I will be soft,

I will be.  I will be.  I will be.

This is my promise to me"

" In the darkness of my shadows

lies my ruin and revival. 

Part by choice and part by chance but equally with purpose.

In the darkness of my shadows

lies my ruin and revival.

Part by blindness and part by sight but equally with purpose.

In the darkness of my shadows

lies my ruin and revival.

Part by you and part by me but equally with purpose. 

In the lightness of my love

lies my ruin and revival.

Part by shadows and part by angels but equally with purpose"

" [...] I need to be washed, I need to be bathed. Of this idea of love and my love depraved. 

You cannot be my saviour, you cannot be my guide.  I only ask of you to witness this tide.  For as it began, it will be unearthed, and in it's place I will water new earth.  You will see me anew, you will see me to be taboo.  And that will be fine with me, because one day somebody will be washing you"

"If every day I said a prayer, it would be thank you. 

For your works I have seen and your words I have heard.

If every day I said a prayer, it would be thank you"

" Grandmother, Mother, Sister, Daughter,

I recognize your pain and feel it.  I'm sorry you had to experience it.  I recognise the injustice and I'm sorry.  My words do not make it any better.  I see what was done to you, I remember it.  I know what they said about you, I heard it.  I feel what they did to you, they did it to me too.  It will not end, it will not stop, until we learn to speak up.  Stand with me woman and help me speak up"

Inez

Beautiful Inez called me looking for business portraits, but then opened up about the fact that she really wants to exist in photographs for her husband and two boys. We had such a wonderful Session and she blew me away with her beauty, both inside and out!

Photography: Agnes Kiesz/Pure Studios
Make-up Artist: Sara/Elegant Make-up

... and here's a look Behind The Scenes of Inez's Session:

SUBSCRIBE to stay in the loop! http://bit.ly/2eL0P0r Here's a look behind the scenes of Inez's Personal Branding Photoshoot. photography: Agnes Kiesz/PURE studios make-up: Sara/Elegant Make-up @elegantmakeups PURE studios ~ PURE you http://purestudios.co INSTAGRAM - http://bit.ly/2dt1z4n SNAPCHAT - @pure.studios FACEBOOK - http://facebook.com/PureStudiosPhoto WEBSITE - http://purestudios.co EMAIL - admin@purestudios.co let's capture pure you.

Decorating with Portraits - 3 Easy Ways

Seaside scenes, landscapes and abstract works all have their place, but nothing will ever be as meaningful and cherished as beautiful portraits of you and your family. Your portraits displayed proudly celebrate your family, fill the rooms with it's history and simply make you smile every single day you look at them. They add indescribable warmth and make your home truly Yours.

Today I want to share with you 3 of my favourite, creative ways of decorating with portraits that are easy, elegant and modern!

1. Gallery Wall

A Gallery Wall is such a creative way of displaying your portraits. It is always a big conversation-starter in our home. Sky is the limit here! You can mix different styles of frames to create a more eclectic look. To add a twist, I hanged the frames, but left the middle one leaning on the wall. You can add photographs to your wall as you create more memories and as your family grows!

1. Portrait Shelf

A Portrait Shelf gives you so much freedom - you can move your portraits around, try different combinations and easily add to it as you go!

3. Sideboard Portrait Display

This is a very traditional way of decorating. My tip to make it more contemporary is to not only use frames! Right here I mixed frames with beautiful bamboo blocks to add versatility and depth.

Few last tips:

1. Use mainly Black & White Photographs – they are timeless and will not create a messy look.

2. Use Matts – even a small photograph in a matt looks elegant and grand!

3. Choose Candid Photographs expressing emotion in addition to traditional portraits for Variety!

What are some of your favourite ways of decorating with portraits? How did you decorate your home? Do share - I would love to know!

Annu

Some people have this LIGHT inside them...

Annu Gaidhu is a Yoga Instructor and Health Educator, she also holds Miss Canada 2014 title.

Photography: Agnes Kiesz/PURE studios

... and here's a look Behind The Scenes of Annu's Personal Branding Session:

SUBSCRIBE to stay in the loop! http://bit.ly/2eL0P0r Here's a look behind the scenes of Annu Gaidhu's Personal Branding Photoshoot. Annu is a Yoga Educator and Health Activist. She also holds Miss India Canada 2014 Title. photography: Agnes Kiesz/PURE studios PURE studios ~ PURE you http://purestudios.co INSTAGRAM - http://bit.ly/2dt1z4n SNAPCHAT - @pure.studios FACEBOOK - http://facebook.com/PureStudiosPhoto WEBSITE - http://purestudios.co EMAIL - admin@purestudios.co let's capture pure you.

The colour EVERYONE looks great in

Those who have already been photographed by me know that I always encourage people to bring at least one white clothing item to a Session. Some people love wearing white and some have NEVER worn it and are quite reluctant to be captured in white.

Here are 5 reasons why I love photographing people in white:
 

1. It is modern yet timeless

A crisp white outfit has the air of freshness that looks beautiful in photographs. It is edgy yet it never goes out of style! A great combination of contemporary and classic.

Anchelaa Thiru, Transformation Coach

2. It is a perfect canvas to tell the story of who you are

Whether you are wearing white for a Personal Branding or Portrait Session, it will not take the focus away from you. Instead the focus of the photograph will simply be You – your expression and smile, your personality and your story.

Nancy Miller, Marketing Planning Expert

Daniel Pillai, Media Personality

3. It works with all skin colours

White compliments all skin colours beautifully. Although some people would argue it looks better with more tan, proper lighting by your Photographer will ensure white looks gorgeous even with pale skin.

Renata Klimaszewska

Tracy Peart, Citytv Make-up Artist

4. It is flattering - if your Photographer knows how to pose you properly

Many people only like wearing dark colours for Photo Sessions, because they feel they are not very fit at the moment. Unless you are a model, it is not your job to pose yourself in the most flattering way. It is your Photographer's job to guide you through posing and to make you look your best - in white as well!

Tricia Aneesa, Real Estate Agent

Laura De Sanctis, Nutritionist

5. It is very easy to integrate images with dominating white into any type of design

White is a great colour to wear during a Personal Branding Session. Those images have to work well with different types of design. Images with dominating white are easy to integrate into your website, your social media, business cards, fliers and pamphlets, magazine advertisement etc. You will not be stuck after having a Session with images that do not fulfill your needs!

Anchelaa Thiru, Transformation Coach

I hope I have convinced you to bring at least one white outfit to your next Session! Until then...

Anchelaa

Anchelaa was nervous yet very excited for her Personal Branding Session - and once we discussed all ideas in the consultation she actually rescheduled her session a week earlier! As a Certified Coach who helps people transition from 9-5 jobs, she wanted photos that are very authentic to who she is. In the end, she said she cannot stop looking at both her photos as well as the behind the scenes video!

Hair & Make-Up: Sara/Elegant Make-up
Photography: Agnes Kiesz/PURE studios