Living In The Moment

The #reverb10 prompt for today:

December 3 – Moment.
Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).

I've had a lot of moments that have made me feel alive this year, but one in particular just made me feel so good about myself and my talents. Here it is:

Doing make-up for a nationally published photographer in a 4 million dollar mansion. Walking onto the set the first day of that job was mind-blowing, considering the fact that I had no idea that we'd be shooting in a mansion directly on the beach. I mean, on the sand. Just the fact that this photographer, who literally could have any other make-up artist on the planet, chose me was a little shocking.

Besides the fact that I was working with this amazing photographer who lives in NYC who spent a ridiculous amount of money on flying down here and renting a mansion to shoot in, the thing that made me feel most "alive" about it was that I felt validated. I can't tell you how many times someone has asked my profession, I've responded with "I'm a make-up artist", and I've gotten a look/response akin to "No, I mean, what are you going to do when you grow up." Some people just don't get it. So many people think that because it's creative and it's not a 9-5 desk job, that it doesn't qualify as a job. Doing that photoshoot really made me realize that I don't have no explain myself to anyone...

(c) Angela Peregrine

model: Elena Nizhnik

(c) Hortencia Caires

model: Sami Aviles

(c) Carol Plymil

model: Ja C

(c) Hortencia Caires

models: Melissa Wilkinson and Nonna

Because guess what? It is a job, it's my job, and I love it. If only everyone could be so lucky.