It is easy to get comfortable behind the camera. You can wear whatever you want without fear of a bad angle or an unfortunate fit, and your eyes are overcome with the beauty of whatever subject you are photographing that day. You feed off of the couple's chemistry, the kid's innocence, or the musician's passion. Now ask the photographer to stand on the other side of the camera, and that's a different ballgame.

Meet Becca Egger, of Cast Iron Photography. Becca is one of the most fantastic photographers I know and, on top of that, she is as humble, kind, and genuine as you could wish. Now add this: she got in front of the camera and looked just as radiant as she is inside. There is no question, she's a stunningly beautiful person. However, her beauty was amplified by her effortless confidence and her willingness to laugh with me and realize this fact that we so often forget when we are behind the camera: being in front of a camera can be SO AWKWARD. Good news is, once you embrace the awkwardness, it isn't awkward at all. Instead, it's just fun and you shed all negative thoughts and insecurities about double chins or good sides and you just get to "be " – and let me tell you, that's the most beautiful thing of all.

Becca's family also joined us for part of the evening, and I'm so glad they did. It was one of those nights where popsicles were melting, crocodile tears were streaming, and wearing pants was just too much for a little two-year-old. Nonetheless, Becca and Jeff showed nothing but love and patience with their sweet little girls, and demonstrated their ability to laugh things off and do all things in love.

Thank you for getting on the other side of the camera, Becca. You and your family are most certainly ones to be seen and loved.

becca: on the other side of the lens