I’ve been making portraits my whole adult life. That’s thousands upon thousands of faces—young, old, curious, hesitant, polished, weathered. If there’s one universal truth I’ve learned staring through a lens at all those faces, it’s this: confidence shows.
And when it’s there? Oh man, it sings.
Sherilyn is a perfect example. Mother of three. Body of one. Spirit of a firecracker. And, as many of you already know, my favorite model here in Austin. We don’t get to shoot often—just short, fun, impromptu sessions. No big setups, small wardrobe changes, no assistants. Just me, my iPhone, and her being her. And that’s all we ever need.
Because Sherilyn brings something to the frame most people don’t—she likes herself.
She doesn’t apologize for her body. Doesn’t shrink from the lens. She doesn’t wait to lose 10 pounds or perfect her skin or find the perfect outfit. She shows up exactly as she is—laughing, loose, magnetic—and that joy, that unapologetic ease, lights up every single frame.
That’s the kind of confidence I’m talking about. And let me tell you—it’s rarer than you’d think.
Most people don’t like the way they look. That’s not a judgment. It’s just a truth I’ve seen over and over again. They’ll tell you they’re “not photogenic” or “awkward on camera.” They’ll critique their nose, their smile, their posture. And sadly, that self-doubt always finds its way into the photo. It stiffens the shoulders. It dulls the eyes. It keeps people from letting go and just being.
But when someone walks into a frame with even a hint of self-acceptance—boom. Everything changes. It’s not about beauty, symmetry, or some textbook idea of perfection. It’s about presence. It’s about owning the space you’re standing in, flaws and all. That’s what makes a portrait memorable. That’s what makes it real.
Confidence is the secret sauce. You can’t fake it, but you can grow it. And no, it’s not about arrogance or performance. It’s about standing in front of the camera and saying, “This is me. Right now. As I am. And that’s enough.”
I try to create that kind of safe space in every shoot. Whether I’m photographing a stranger on the street or a close friend like Sherilyn, I’m not chasing perfection. I’m chasing honesty. And when someone trusts me enough to bring that honesty, it’s like striking gold.
Sherilyn doesn’t just pose for portraits—she radiates through them. And I think that has less to do with her appearance and everything to do with how deeply she knows and loves herself. That’s why she photographs so damn beautifully.
So here’s to confidence. Here’s to showing up, not shrinking down. And here’s to women like Sherilyn who remind us how electric self-love can be.
Hugs and kisses, my dear, beautiful, natural, very sexy friend Sherilyn. Keep shining.
Jack
