If I had just 10%

If you follow us on Instagram, you may have seen what I was up to earlier this week!

I announced that one of the two Non-Profits we’re partnering with this fall to produce custom made to order handbags to raise funds for is the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas.

We had our photoshoot on Tuesday at The Long Goodbye & models Hayley and Sabine came ready to work.

Usually when I work with models (one of the many hats I wear is photographer!) I show them my Pinterest board of pose ideas.

It typically takes a while to warm up & almost always we get the best photos at the end of the shoot because it can take a while, understandably, for the model to feel comfortable & get out of her own head.

When I’ve been the one holding the handbag in front of the camera (like I said, I wear lots of hats here!), I’ve been known to ask what the heck one is supposed to do with ones hands, lol.

This week’s shoot was night & day different.

Both women came ready & without a shred of self-consciousness, which meant that from the first photo I was getting great shots!

Honestly, and it feels really vulnerable admitting this, I was a bit nervous going into the shoot.

I’ve not had the opportunity to spend much time around adults with Down syndrome (DS) & I found myself wondering if I would be in my head projecting these women onto the future of my four old Paige (who has DS).

And then, of course, once I actually spent time with Haley & Sabine that didn’t happen at an all.

I wonder how many other beautiful experiences I've missed in my life because I was too in my head or afraid of something new.

If I could just capture 10% of the confidence that Haley & Sabine brought to this photoshoot my life would look pretty different.

I see this same trait in my daughter Paige - she simply doesn’t see the arbitrary social constraints that I do. She walks up to whoever she wants to in a waiting room & charms them into a smile, where I’ve always thought I had to stay in my chair not making eye contact with people I don’t know.

To be fair, Paige also would totally run into a busy street because she thinks all cars should just stop for her, too, but you get my point!

So as we go out into today,

let’s challenge ourselves to seek out opportunities to learn from people who see the world differently than we do.

Oh!

And if you want to see the final photos, you can have a peek over on our website here.

Although *technically* the fundraiser doesn’t launch until October 1st, you’re more than welcome to purchase a made to order custom three arrows handbag in our new Fall Styles with 50% of each sale being donated to The Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas.

DSACT is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with Down syndrome at every stage of life through a wide range of programs & services and has been a wonderful resource for my family & I these last 4 years.

Their programs include social activities, fitness classes, bike camps, speech therapy, support for new parents, & much more. They also facilitate programs for educators & healthcare professionals, fostering a more inclusive & compassionate world for everyone!

Amen to that.

—

xoxo,

Jen Lewis, Founder of Purse & Clutch