Early on in my photography career, I had a beautiful shoot in Paris. Everything was just about perfect: the model (blond, blue eyes, and a figure to die for), the city (Paris – mon amour), the clothes (everything from Chanel, Pucci to Missoni), the weather (spring, sunny and not too cold), the food (self-explanatory), the hotel (with a view on the Eiffel Tour). The pictures turned out really really nice, and when I looked at them, I couldn’t help but wonder how it would be doing the exact same thing with a model who had a little extra in her chromosomal make-up. The more I thought about it, the more excited I got about this idea.

At a time, when I felt totally worn out from too many photo shoot assignments one summer, I was definitely ready for this personal dream project to nourish my soul. It didn’t take me long to look for the perfect model. I knew 14-year-old Tamara loves fashion, loves taking photos, and loves having fun. So she, her Mom, and her little brother hopped onto the train with me and rode to Paris.

The evening before our trip I began to really get cold feet on my idea. I remembered that our kids with a little extra can get really really stubborn at times, and then nothing really helps to change their mind on something. So I worried what if Tamara thinks she’s too tired, too hungry, the subway is too crowded, the rain is bothering her, the shoes are too tight, the dress is too short, the coat is too warm – you get the idea. I had no longer any expectations.

My expectations were exceeded. Exceeded heavily and heavenly. Tamara was in a very good mood the whole day. And although she had to get up at 5 a.m. to catch the early-morning train to Paris, she didn’t seem tired at any given moment. And after a long day of walking through the whole of Paris, we arrived at the hotel at 11 p.m. And while I immediately fell into bed in total exhaustment from a long day, Tamara went into the shower again to have her straight hair rolled on curlers/papillotes again, cause they were all flat again from the rain. And to even top this, she got up at 7 a.m. again the next morning, to walk up all the way to Montmartre/Sacre Coeur.

I will never forget this trip to Paris. Tamara wonderfully showed me that anything is possible. To walk on the road less travelled. It’s a beautiful road. I really enjoyed our ride. I hope a lot of people will do the same. There is beauty in everything. And love is always the answer.