I just received the most beautiful testimonial from Heather…it perfectly sums up why I do what I do. I’ve been photographing her for years and it’s been an amazing journey growing together. Thank you, Heather! Check it out below…
Testimonial:
Dearest Liz,
Thank you from the deepest part of my spirit for:
Letting me be who I am, and also whoever or whatever I felt like being depending on the day without fear or judgement…
Teaching me that beauty is found in the most unexpected ways, and so I learned to try things I never would have chosen myself…
Sparking a sense of adventure in me in spite of anxiety because I knew it would turn out amazing no matter what crazy places or poses or props we used…
Showing me that I don’t need the elaborate trappings of costumes and makeup to be beautiful, but letting me happily play with them anyway…
Seeing the beauty in my changing body, and encouraging me to embrace those changes instead of hiding them…
Helping me break away from a past of body-shaming and bullying…
Giving me a safe place to explore finding my own beauty with love and respect but also humor…
Letting me see through your lens the beauty I could not or would not see with my own eyes…
Showing me that my own body is a work of art…
Giving me tangible proof that I am strong, sexual, and beautiful…and giving me permission to be proud of it and to share it…
All of those things I learned modeling for you, and I am forever grateful. I wish that anyone who struggles with issues of shame or self-image, and also anyone who makes hateful comments about your work could read this and understand the healing that can take place by working with someone like you. No matter what we all look like on the outside, we all hurt deeply on the inside when we do not love ourselves, and I don’t think I would have come so far on that without your help. I was absolutely terrified that first shoot, but by the end I just felt so comfortable. I don’t think for one minute that would have happened with just any photographer. It is a special gift that you have, to be able to see the beauty in people, and capture it on film while making a safe space for them to express it, and then helping them to see and BELIEVE that beauty is there.
Love Always,
Heather
LizZusev 