Public Speaking has been something that has been a nerve-wracking thing for me in the past as my face would turn red, I would shake, and I would stammer and then not get to the point. I say “past” because I have been working hard this last year in my local Toastmasters on my public speaking abilities, and it is improving. I actually was able to speak to over two hundred people with a 1 minute notice at the Healing opening this last fall without making a fool of myself (or so they say).

I am very hard on myself and so my self-perception is altered by my critical nature. I see that in many of my female clients too. We women have a tendency to put our appearances down and not accept our faults, blowing them way out of proportion. I often will remind a woman when she’s pregnant that she’s supposed to be carrying extra weight. The world forgives you, but we don’t forgive ourselves.

I joined Toastmasters to overcome my shyness when the world watches me, but also to stop the self-judging. I also figured that since I have been asked to be on TV several times and to speak to several organizations, I had better get comfortable being in front of an audience. I am getting better. We photographers usually choose this profession because hiding behind a black box is very comfortable for us. When I was a model I made an effort to figure out how to look natural in front of the camera, and so I thought, I could figure out how to speak to an audience without falling apart.

I spoke to an audience in Northern California a couple of years ago, and last year a young man approached me at one of the national conventions I attended. He asked, “Are you Linnea Lenkus?” “Yes,” I replied. “I saw you speak in Oakland,” he said. I wanted to crawl in a hole at that moment. All I could think to say was, “Oh, you poor thing. I know I was horrible.” “No,” he said, “That was the most inspiring speech I’ve ever heard.” “You’re just saying that,” I said. And he went on and on to tell me that I was actually really good. Wow!

I hope to see you in San Diego this Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at the Holiday Inn at 3805 Murphy Canyon Road. You won’t see me shake so much and I hope to be inspiring, but I can’t guarantee that.

Operation Homefront is a non-profit organization that provides emergency assistance and morale-boosting programs for family members of our military, especially those who have a family member deployed overseas. My friend asked me if I’d be interested in taking photographs of military families as a way of saying “thanks” for their service. Over the course of a month, I had the honor to photograph nine military families from the Southern California region. In addition to donating varied family portraits to each of the families, I also donated several portraits to “Operation Homefront” which they will use in a “traveling exhibit” titled “Images From the Homefront.” The purpose of the exhibit will be to help increase awareness about the service of our military men and women and their families and help “Operation Homefront” in their fund raising efforts. The exhibit will debut in San Diego, California.

Each one of these families I photographed has a story of strength and courage that’s hard to put into words, so I set out to capture them visually. I was amazed and moved deeply to get to know a group of people who too often are associated only with war, and unfortunately, with politics. I saw and experienced them as people who proudly and dutifully serve our country when called upon to do so.

I have a profound respect for these honorable Americans who daily define grace. I personally want to thank all the members of our military services and their families for their service and sacrifice. I look forward to the day when all of you are back home safe and sound with your friends and families. I also want to thank “Operation Homefront” for helping me to find these incredible families and for the wonderful support they provide military families across the nation.

I want to thank my staff for their incredible patience and devotion to this project with me, and to my friend, who continually enlightens me.

I am a portrait photographer, just one Los Angeles photographer, and hopefully I have done my job right.

I’m excited and a bit nervous to tell you that my video is up. After several months in the works, and still working out the Flash conversion I’m happy to present to you a bit about me, my portrait philosophy, and how I work. I felt it was about time to let everyone know about the photography experience that they can expect at our three portrait studios. Many people get really nervous being photographed but there is nothing to fear. It’s a fun experience! I am a photographer and I can tell you that it’s true.

So without much ado please go to the Linnea Lenkus Experience.