This year I had the incredible pleasure of turning 30 years old! Yes, I said it. I am happy and feel blessed to age one more beautiful year!

I didn't hide away or cry that, "OMG I'm now 30! My 20's are over" (like many of my friends).

Rather, I rejoice in being given the gift of aging. So many other young girls were not as fortunate to reach the age of 30 in their lives and I could have been one of them.

Not many people know that at the age of 24 and just a month before graduating college, I was in a terrible car crash. My car was completely totaled and I broke over 6 bones, including my clavicle and a portion of my ribs. So, turning 30 was a real reason to celebrate.

As women, we have been conditioned to believe beauty is only for the young but, I disagree.

We complain about our wrinkles, our weight, our hair, our bodies; the list can go on. I hear it everyday from my clients.

I want you to turn off the "itty bitty sh**ty committee" inside of you. We need to change the way we think about ourselves and what we choose to believe. We should practice mindful self-love and not debilitating self-hate.

We should speak to ourselves the way we speak to our loved ones. Would you ever tell your mother, sister, or best friend the things you say to yourself when you look in the mirror?

We need to choose to see our beauty and celebrate it. No matter what age you are.

This is why I photograph woman. I want you to see what your husband and children see. I want you to love yourself so you can love your life and spread joy to everyone and to your children which will create a better future for our world.

To grow older is not guaranteed it's a blessing and you should rejoice in every new stage of your life. You've earned those wrinkles from loving, laughing, and living! Try to remember that and be grateful for all your uniqueness.