Samantha’s Metamorphosis - The Worthy Series
The theme of my Worthy Series photo shoot was metamorphosis. When I reached out originally about the Worthy Series, I had a feeling that my life was changing but I had no idea of what was to come.
My personal life had seen a lot of changes. I was divorced, my first marriage only technically lasted a few years, a year and a half longer than it should have! I met my fiancé Erick and moved in with him shortly before the pandemic. Our wedding is this summer. I had always struggled with my weight, and my health issues seemed to be getting out of control, so I had weight loss surgery last August. Since then, my health issues seem to have gone away and I have lost about 70 pounds. Around the time of my surgery, my professional life also became an entanglement where I was in direct competition for a promotion with someone I had known professionally for over 10 years and I considered a friend. She originally got the job, I didn’t. I had a lot of support, and people were mad/upset for me. She left after a very short time , and she eventually resigned, I ended up getting the job. I didn’t feel like this was an accomplishment, I felt like I was second choice. I also was still recovering from the surgery, and probably more sensitive than usual. I tried to be positive, to look forward, but to be honest my self esteem had taken a hit.
With the weight loss, I felt awkward in my new body and my oversized clothes….what do I even wear?? I wanted to embrace the person I was becoming and do something for myself. So for my Worthy Series photo shoot, I embraced change! I wore big, fake eyelashes for the first time and wore makeup! For one of my looks, I wore a crown of butterflies to symbolize my metamorphosis. I wore a kimono to embrace the connection to Japan, a gold crown to show my power, and professional headshots to show I am boss! I don’t know what the future holds, but I'm hoping things will be more calm and even more boring! Many things in my life have not been easy and I do believe in learning from failure and exhibiting tenacity to rise above challenge.
Samantha Nelson was part of the Worthy Series photoshoot taken by local Kirkland, WA photographer Shannon Beauclair.
