A month ago one of my fabulous hair & makeup artists and good friend, Ashleigh reached out to me. She text me asking if I could talk, that means business. I could tell in her voice there was something big on her mind. She finally asked very passionately if I would do a shoot for one of her clients, one of her friends…to be honest, one of her inspirations. The passion in her voice was all I needed to hear. No words, just the reason coming straight from her heart. She just kept repeating, “Jacie, you’re going to love her. You’ll see what I mean.” She wanted to do a “little” Wonder Woman photoshoot, from there our passions collided and took off. The wonderful owner and team at J. Robert’s Clothing styled her entire shoot (aside from Wonder Woman) and gifted Maj a $100 gift card! So kind! So little blew up to a full day for this very deserving and inspirational lady. SO. MUCH. FUN. Truly overflowed my cup with joy! View her day with some behind the scenes here.
Boy, was Ashleigh right.
If you haven’t heard Majesty’s story (on Instagram & Facebook), I strongly encourage you to follow. KCBD recently did a follow up on her story, so powerful!! I met Majesty’s parents first. I was scrambling around on a crutch trying to make the studio perfect. They walked in, introduced themselves and immediately asked to help. Their presence alone told me exactly who they were and indirectly introduced me to the human they raised. Helpful, gracious, kind….funny. 🙂 As Ashleigh and Majesty walked into the front office, they didn’t hear me try to verbally delay, so instead, Majesty’s mother, Shelia, called out, “finishing with a client.” Thank you for stalling! <3
Majesty walked in with the biggest smile and sweetest demeanor. The excitement was subliminally bouncing back and forth between Ashleigh and I like fireworks. We had talked for 15 straight days about executing this one day for this one amazing young lady. I couldn’t WAIT to get going. So here’s the deal, you can spend 60 seconds with Majesty and be inspired and encouraged. She lives a life many of us will never truly understand, she’s also lived a life that many do understand. So has her family. Remember that grace and kindness I talked about earlier? It is runs so deep and so true in Maj. It is her truth. Her faith is her heartbeat and it is SO strong. What is most powerful, is the strength in the moments of bodily weakness and the unknown. Not the moments of triumph. Those triumphant moments are her joy and she praises HIM, but she praises him in the darkness even stronger. I asked her to tell me her story over lunch. I was so taken while listening to her, not only for the perseverance and faith her and her family have, but how remarkably unwavering and so incredibly grateful she is. Her testimony comes in many forms, her life’s story is a platform, but her heart and the purity of her faith is her reach. If we can only learn to be as faithful, as grateful and as joyful as Maj.
Happy 21 Birthday, gorgeous girl! Wishing you the best day, the best week, the best year, the best life! You ARE a Wonder Woman, you are a woman of God, and a woman who will do great things!! 💗
FROM ASHLEIGH:
“I met Majesty a while back and instantly fell absolutely smitten with her. If you know her personally, you know exactly what I mean. Majesty started out as one on my tanning clients that very quickly became a friend. She would come see me quite regularly. (never once letting on about her trials and tribulations ) We would always chat makeup, style, and all things girly. She always seems soo full of energy and life. Every time I see her I feel like I could certainly work/hustle harder and make more of everything I am. This young ladies light is SO bright… I remember telling my husband about her and how she was quite honestly an angel on earth.. You feel something very powerful radiating through her.. she is special. When she finally told me about her medical situation.. She acted so nonchalant.. “oh these scars.. I kinda had liver cancer” “But I’m okay! God will help me find a new liver” I was left speechless by this beautiful, young, vibrant, courageous, tiny little human. Fast forward a few months Majesty comes for her tanning appointment and had exciting news! She found her match, from an incredible young lady who was willing to donate half of her healthy liver to Majesty! They under went the big transplant on May 2, 2019. After a lengthy hospital stay and grueling recovery both girls were able to come home healthy! PTL!! Majesty had many hurtles after her transplant but never once wavered her faith. She and I had always talked about playing in makeup.. and had scheduled for Monday August 19th to transform this tiny warrior into Wonder Woman. (This was to be just she and I having a lil fun.) I see Majesty as the true definition of a “Wonder Woman” although she is tiny.. She is so strong and such an incredible inspiration to all she meets. This character was meant for Majesty. We had a few hiccups and after thinking more in-depth about how truly incredible and deserving Majesty is.. I felt just makeup in studio and iphone pictures was just not enough. So I reached out to her and asked for a lil more time to make things perfect. Little did I know that less than 24 hours later Majesty would be rushed to Dallas and days later be in a coma!! When I saw the devastating news. Myself, family, friends, along with Majesty’s army of prayer warriors began to pray. Her situation was dire and was literally fighting for her life! Miraculously after 3 long days God brought her out of the coma! I knew right then and there I had just witnessed a living miracle!! I was overcome.. and knew that as soon as she felt up to it, I needed to make something incredible happen for her. This sweet angel is turning 21 this month and as most 21 year olds they are just excited for their first legal cocktail. Not Majesty she is thankful for her life and each new day! So I reached out to a very incredible and long standing photographer friend, Jacie Shackelford owner of Jacie Leigh Photography. Without even going into great detail.. with no hesitation Jacie was soo excited and eager to help me give Majesty a model for the day experience for her 21st Birthday!! Our amazing friends at J Roberts clothing allowed me to come in and pick wardrobe from their fabulous store for Majesty to wear during her photo shoot! They then went above and beyond to make her birthday shoot even more special with a gift card to buy an outfit! Without these AMAZING ladies none of this could have been possible! I am eternally grateful! Majesty’s birthday shoot was absolutely incredible! Made me fall in love with my career choice all over again. The night before felt like Christmas as a child! The day was pure magic thanks to Jacie her nature, skill, and God given talent that is next level! Ending the Birthday shoot with mine and Majesty’s dream of a Wonder Woman transformation!!!! […] These images will blow your mind, we are soo excited to share Majesty’s story and her incredible images with you all!! Thank you again to all who made this possible and for everyone’s love and support!!”
See Maj’s full gallery here.
If you would like to support Majesty and her family as she continues to recover, you can visit their GoFundMe page here.
