I feel like I have been lucky enough in my life to have had some great experiences and to have accomplished a lot in work, in my personal relationships and in keeping my family close to my heart.

When I was young I thought, as probably many do, that my worth would be tied to how much money I had, what kind of a car I would drive, what sort of a home would I live in.  When I started working for the first time, these were my ultimate goals.  I couldn’t imagine what else would be more important.

Then I got married and had two wonderful children.  Suddenly, everything changed.  My whole focus on life shifted to how I could be the best mom to my kids; how could I keep them safe; how could I make sure that they would grow up confident in themselves and proud of the strong, independent and caring women they would become?

I remember as they were growing up, I watched and I worried, I worried and I watched. I alternatively had times when I was scared for one of my daughters then the other about the direction they were going in.  But I taught them to believe in themselves and to always count on themselves, and that they could do or be anything they wanted as long as they wanted it badly enough.

It must be said, there was a time when I saw my daughter, Amy, grow from a dark, withdrawn girl into the self-confident strong willed woman she is today.  I love the fact that she has a heart of gold in addition to her many other traits. 

Now, she has no idea I am writing this blog about her (and there will probably be hell for me to pay), but I think she adds so much to the experiences behind Photography by Alyssa Michelle!  She is one of the first people you will be in contact with as the office manager, she is the most fantastic video editor, and she is a great second shooter in her own right.  She sees different poses and angles with a perspective all her own, and it adds dimension to the shoots.

Obviously, my daughter Alyssa is a creative force to be sure and enough cannot be said about the pride I have in her each and every day of my life.  

But to be able to experience  watching Amy go from someone we love so much but fear for, to someone strong enough and loving enough for us all is something her sister and I get to enjoy for the rest of our lives.

For those of you who have already experienced a shoot at Photography by Alyssa Michelle, you know exactly what I am talking about!