After Karen shared her Over 50 with Maggie experience, Regina was onboard! She didn't want anything formal, though; that just wasn't really her style. As much as I'd like you to take my clothing advice or take the opportunity to pull out that formal gown from the back of the closet that you never get to wear, or borrow one of my studio closet pieces, your portrait session is about you, not me.

Now more about Regina, the small business owner who enjoyed her session so much she's considered another.

Her story:

My name is Regina, but to my family and old school friends I am called Nina (pronounced Neena). Born in the beautiful mountains of Marion, I have always lived in Virginia, from Chester to Virginia Beach to Roanoke (for an astounding 36 years!). All of my life I have loved the Blue Ridge mountains in VA, the beach, horses (I owned for over 40 years) and cats (especially Persians). For the past 15 years I have owned water turtles—some call me the “turtle whisperer.” And I love to travel! I try to go when the opportunity arises!

I am a feisty 67 year old Aries workaholic who has always “burned the candle at both ends” as my Grandmother would say. Not only loving to barter and horse trade, I have always been a consummate salesman (yes-salesMAN) as I realized early in my life that this is a man’s world and I would have to deal with it! Over the years, I have been involved in family businesses including owning my own sign company and an independent owner-operator of July 4th fireworks stands business - BOTH for over 24 years.

On my bucket list, my most favorite thing I have checked off is the 12 day “Wine Dine and Tour” trip to Italy with my then 79 year old mother and stepdad. She was a real trouper and a great travel companion. Perfect weather, fantastic food and wine and sites; a special time as this would be the last trip I would have with them before my mother passed.

One of the things that gets me up and motivated everyday (other than hungry cats!) in the morning is the daily challenges and dealings in my sign business. It is always new and fresh; each customer has their own unique sign needs that has to be met. I love designing and producing the signs; seeing the results that make customers proud of their business image.

I am the most confident now as I have ever been in my whole life. All of my experiences combined with the work and moral ethics my mother raised me with has led me to be confident in my decisions (no regrets). I just wish that I could have felt this way a lot earlier in life (say 30-40’s!). I would have made much different and wiser choices in my life I am sure. The piece of advice I would give my 20-something year old self is to find out EARLY what you really LOVE to do and to find a job that pays you to do what you love already!

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Women are multi-faceted, and I love helping them share images that show their authentic, beautiful, confident shine! How do you want to be photographed? Let's meet over coffee and talk about it. Contact me: text/call 434-226-0365 or email [email protected]... or schedule a Zoom meeting online here!