Today we’d like to introduce you to Nena Sterner.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Nena. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m fortunate enough to have known from a young age exactly what I wanted to do with my life, and it all started back in high school. When I was 16, I took my first photography class, and I was so in love with it that I started doing photography professionally about a year later. It was during a time in my life when I was very shy, awkward, and dealing with a lot of insecurities. Photography for me was more than just a hobby; yes, it was a creative outlet and something I truly enjoyed, but more than that, it was something that helped me feel good about myself and allowed me to help others feel good about themselves. Finally having a skill, something that everyone associated with me really gave me a sense of confidence that I had never had before, and that confidence was infectious. It was a long journey, but I began to truly love myself, and I wanted everyone to feel the way I felt – to love themselves and appreciate the things that make them unique! That became my mission as a photographer.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’ve faced a lot of hardships over the years, but the most significant obstacle has been trying to run a business while living with chronic depression and anxiety. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been coping with Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia, Generalized Anxiety, and Panic Disorder. Dealing with any kind of mental illness is a struggle as it is, but dealing with these things while trying to run a business is a massive challenge, to say the least. Sometimes even the smallest setbacks send you into a downward spiral, and when you’re feeling overwhelmed and despondent, it’s really hard to keep moving forward. You have to be deliberate and remind yourself every day what you’re working towards. The most important lesson I’ve learned in my life thus far is how important self-care is. My advice to other women and other business owners is to address your needs without feeling guilty. It’s not selfish to take care of yourself. If you’re feeling depressed and/or anxious, don’t try to ignore it. Spend time doing things that make you happy, teach yourself something new, find a healthy balance between having an active social life and spending time alone, and, most importantly, find a therapist you really click with.
We’d love to hear more about Nena Sterner Photography.
Over the years, I’ve done it all: weddings, graduation photos, engagement announcements, but it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that my focus really started to shift to boudoir photography. I believe that our society has an unhealthy fixation with perfection, and all too often we find ourselves comparing ourselves to others, wishing we could be thinner, or curvier, or younger. We’ve been taught to focus on achieving physical “perfection”, rather than seeing our differences as the very things that make us beautiful. Most of us have been through a lot when it comes to our relationship with our body – eating disorders, weight loss/gain, body dysmorphia, illness, physical ailments… Boudoir photography is a celebration of the human body in all its forms. We are a diverse species; every one of us is uniquely beautiful in our own way. My hope as a photographer is that I can play a part in helping every woman come to understand how amazing their body is, and how beautiful they are inside and out. That’s why I do what I do.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
It’s really hard for a lot of us not to compare ourselves with other women. What helps me live my best life is focusing on all the ways that I am my own person. The book that instilled this in me is Jane Eyre, and I think it’s a novel every woman should read… or at least watch the movie (but it has to be the 2011 version with Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender). I also think everyone should identify and study their Meyers-Briggs and Enneagram types because they really help you get to know yourself!
Contact Info:
- Website: nenasterner.com
- Instagram: @nenasternerphoto
- Facebook: Facebook.com/nenasternerphoto
Image Credit:
Nena Sterner Photography
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