Getting Cozy with Kendra
I met Kendra almost a year ago and that's when we had our photo shoot. I know, I know , I need to work on my blog discipline lol, but I, kind of, like the imperfections of the process, they cause interesting outcomes sometimes. Anyway, when I photographed Kendra, it was maybe our third get together. We were basically strangers getting a little been more cozy with each other, one meeting at at time. Since then, we've been on a hell of journey, Kendra and I. From strangers, we became acquaintances, and then friends.
Over the course of last year, we numerously sat at the same table, sharing food, Kendra and I. We met each other's families. Kendra had a chance to have a taste of my mom's famous pierogi and I had a pleasure to try her father's awesome bbq ribs. I still ate meat then. Gosh I used to L.O.V.E. meat.. Well.. a year is a long time. We shared a lot of moments with Kendra. We wined and dined, we danced till the dawn, we went on trips and paddled a river together. We spent a lot of holidays together and had numerous sleep overs. I also had a chance to hang with her smart and gorgeous daughter, who is charming and gentle, but would tell us what's what if necessary ;) Being able to present Kendra on this blog a year after the shoot is actually a more interesting experience now than it would be then as we know each other much better.
Before I met Kendra by our mutual friend, I was told she had and interesting job, but when I asked follow up questions, the only thing that I got was Kendra worked in a building.. My incredible detective mind, told me there was more to Kendra's job than just a building, so I asked her directly :) The following is what I found out. Kendra works for a non-profit organization and it deals with social services, helping out the low income community. They're based in Flatbush, Brooklyn. They have programs geared towards development for youth, homeless services, and immigration services. Kendra works as an executive assistant helping to oversee those programs and taking care of day-to-day functions and smooth operations of everything. How cool is that tho!?
What I like to do is to photograph ppl in a safe space where they feel comfortable. I also like that place to represent the person I shoot. It tells a little back story about them. It was the case this time as well. When I met Kendra, she had gone through a lot and was just starting a new life. For the first time, she moved into a place where she could live completely independently. I couldn't imagine a better place for the photo shoot than the apartment where she made her own rules. She was kind enough to let me in. We had some good food and some mimosas. We also and listened to some Cuban salsa songs while shooting cuz that's what the Polish and the Caribbean do when they meet ;P I'm happy to share the fruits of our photo shoot and a conversation about femininity that we had as well.
AsW: When did you make yourself the most proud?
K: I think, with the experiences that I’ve had and I'm experiencing currently.. I don’t think there’s a specific time for me, I think it’s an ongoing process. More and more I discover about myself as I’m becoming more in this independent role, transitioning from being a wife to a wife and a mother and then just a mother.. There’s different roles you kind of fit into, but it’s not who YOU are. Now, it’s like I’m coming to myself and discovering myself more as an independent person. As I learn and grow, and I do thing for ME, and start achieving things that I want for myself, I think it’s an everyday process. Maybe now, as I’m getting older and maturing more, I’m becoming more and more proud of myself. Doing things for me and not what my parents want for me, what is expected of me as a wife, and a mother. I’m in a learn-as-you-grow situation.
AsW: What do you most appreciate other women for? Is there a person who embodies those traits?
K: What I appreciate most about women, I think, is resiliency. I grew up in a family of mostly women and we all had different life experiences. Even friends close to me, they all have different walks of life. There’s a lot of things that I never had to deal with, but have learned about through them. I admire their attitude of "what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger". I witnessed them going though things in life that they were able to overcome, each in their own way, doing it for their kids. There’s this ability to always find the strength because you have someone looking up to you or you’re a bread winner, supporting your family, always having to find that inner strength to get up each morning and do what you have to do. To do it just out of love and care for the people that are around you. I think that’s what’s unique and special to women because we are very loving people. Each does it in their own way, but I feel it’s a trait that we all have possess, the resiliency, strength, and the lovingness.. Those traits are very unique to us.
AsW: What do you think women have in common across cultures or different backgrounds?
K: I think it's, kind of, a similar situation to what you asked before. We’re each unique in our own way, as women, despite where we come from or our walks through life. We all experience different things, but there are ways about us that are unique. There’s this loving, mothering, nurturing way we have that a man doesn’t possess, even a sensitive man. As women, we all wanna care about people and are not afraid to show it. We can be sweet, but still have a strength not to let people walk over us. I feel now, especially, with all this empowerment, women having more and not afraid to use their voices, it’s really important. As a mother with a young child girl, I want her to maintain this sweet, kind, and gentle way about her, but still know that she has a voice and is not afraid to use it because it may upset someone else. It’s not about pleasing people, it’s about staying true to who we are. People should know to respect that. There are women in other countries and cultures who can’t do that, but we all should be able to do that. What we have in common is that we have the residence, we have the strength, we have the power and ability to do it. Once it’s awaken, no one can shut it out.
PS.
Dear Kendra,
Thank you for your time and effort. Thank you for letting me into your home and vibing with me. We did a great job. All the best to your family. Since the decade is coming to end today, I wish you all success with your endeavors for 2020.
With love,
Anja
Unexpected, my favorite..
