Somehow destiny comes into play. These children end up with you and you end up with them. It’s something quite magical.

-Nicole Kidman

This #bosslady has turned her hardships into her triumphs. Before the day of the shoot, all I knew about Tameka was that she was a public speaker and needed new content to promote her events. I soon learned that there was much more to her story!

When I start shoots, I always ask if my client has ever worked with a professional photographer before. She responded by saying, “Oh, I am a professional photographer!” Not only does she have her own brand, Matchstick Creative, but she’s also worked for Condé Nast! That surely turned the pressure on for me! 😂

Blogger shoots move really quickly – the intention is to shoot in as many outfits as possible in our timespan. Tameka killed it, because she’s also a professional model. Remember those dancing iPod commercials back in the day? She was the first one. What. Not only that, but she continued her career on Deal or No Deal for six years!

As we moseyed along, she told me about how she’s recently moved back to San Jose from LA to speak and continue her work as an adoption advocate. Tameka herself was adopted in San Jose, and was even homeless for a time as a teen. She’s traveled the world to share her story and to share the importance of youth foster care. Paris, DC, LA, you name it – she’s been there and done her thing.

It was such an honor to get to know Tameka and to create these images for her. Can’t wait to see what she conquers next!