The day we did this photo shoot, she was directing traffic and mentoring me through the experience. It was something she decided to squeeze into an already very full schedule, before flying to the United States to work with one of the many groups of women she is journeying with. It was too much to add really, but she knew that time was of the essence for me, as I am rushing to put together my business plan and pitch to funders in time for the new year.  

 

The concept needs branding, and branding means a website, and a website needs photos. “Let’s get it done,” she said.

 

In just four days she ran the whole production: hair, makeup, wardrobe, photographer. She planned fourteen different outfits and even loaned me some of her own clothes, after looking at my selection and having a two second internal dialogue with herself that I think went, ‘That St Francis t-shirt has potential ... but the rest … just no.’

 

Justine Campbell is brilliant at branding and design, but this is only one thin layer to the very multi-talented coach who I am so blessed to have in my life. She’s a trained therapist, with a background in business, marketing, and positive psychology.

 

The day we did the shoot she was rushed, so her naturally curly hear was flowing in a way that I hadn’t seen before. She normally has perfectly blow-dried waves, often pinned back with a funky fabric headband. I asked her if she was going to an 80’s party afterwards and she said, “No, this is just how my hair naturally is.” As she was grooving around the studio to her ‘Step into the Arena’ playlist, directing traffic, handing me the next outfit and the next outfit, I felt as though I was getting a glimpse into school-girl Justine, her half Lebanese heritage, porcelain skin, pure smile, and wild, dark brown curls.

 

I was in a situation that would normally trigger anxiety. I hadn’t done anything like this before. The focus was on my body, my physical appearance and I had to respond to specific instructions as we went: where to put my hand, chin up, lean forward. Feeling directed, especially physically, has always triggered traumatic memories for me from childhood. Yet somehow, I couldn’t have felt calmer. This was because of James Rowe, who as a photographer and a man, is professionalism, kindness and creativity wrapped in light.

 

But it was also Justine. She has changed me.

 

There was a moment when she looked at me and said, “I want you to share your beauty in this one, because you are beautiful.”

 

And because I trust her, and because she practices what she preaches, I believed her.

 

This is something that I have always tried to tone down, manage, diminish, minimise, redirect, confuse, manipulate, and detract from: beauty. It takes energy to hide; especially just enough that nobody really notices you’re doing it. The gift of beauty was corrupted in my story; now it is being redeemed.

 

Justine is the picture of glamour, intelligent poise, and dignity in every room she enters. But to me, these untamed curls, flipping around in the breeze in James’ garage, were where her deepest beauty manifested, and gave mine permission to fly.

 

Thank you, Justine.

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With gratitude to my Business Coach, Justine Campbell, 2024

Unedited Image by James Rowe