transformation photography with Toni J.
Hello, I'm Toni!
I am a professional photographer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but location is not a limit for me. I LOVE capturing the moments that matter. From headshots to corporate events to family outings, let's create memories together. Book me without breaking the bank! These gas prices do that enough.
Photo credit: Terrance Sims, Jr. Photography
Welcome to the Reflective Photoshoot Experience Project.
The REFLECTIVE PHOTOSHOOT EXPERIENCE is designed to spread wisdom and extend comfort. It honors the story of humanity, loss, love, vulnerability and unyielding resilience.
As you peer into the window of these stories, we hope your heart is comforted and invigorated with unbridled hope and the REAL realization that we are NEVER alone on this journey called LIFE.
A heart full of GRATITUDE to everyone who shared a beautiful piece of their heart in this special project that has no ending. Please contact me if you’d like to be a part of this history of wisdom.
Toni J
This is Roy.
Resilience. Grace. Future.
What I would tell my 7 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is ROY.
When you are gifted to break bread with Roy, you are reminded of what humanity feels like. You smell gumbo in the air, mixed wtih Beale Street and the sounds of African drums, permeating the walls and cracks with power and grace. You stand attention. You are reminded of the strength and sacrifice of our ancestry line that runs deep within your own DNA (perhaps). You sense the strength of Grandma’s and Auntie’s whose wisdom and spiritual hymns remind your heart, everything is going to be alright. That wisdom uplifts your entire spirit from the depths of deprivation. This is ROY. We reflect at Hartung Park in Wauwatosa, WI.
His own words are reflected next.
What I would tell my 7 year-old self. A reflective piece.
“What I would tell my 7 year-old self is that your mama does love you. She never stopped thinking about you. If she could have you with her, she would.
I would tell him that your black skin is beautiful. That you are normal.”
This is ROY.
What I would tell my 7 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is ROY.
“I would tell him that even though you don’t really know who your dad is, that’s alright. You’re going to turn out alright.
You won’t always be separated from your mom. Things will improve with you and your mom. You will see your little brother again.”
What I would tell my 7 year-old self. A reflective piece.
“Keep on using your imagination. There’s nothing wrong with that. Continue to dream big. You’re going to grow out of those imaginary friends, but keep talking to ‘em! That’s where all your creativity will come from.”
This is ROY.
What I would tell my 7 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is ROY.
When asked what he carried in his heart from his grandma:
“You can be and do anything that you want to do. There is nothing in this world that you cannot do or be.”
“You be the one. If nobody else is doing it, you be the one. Do the right thing.”
What I would tell my 7 year-old self. A reflective piece.
“That 7 year-old will be proud of the man I am today. He had a vision about who he would become. I became that one. I became who I wanted to be.”
“I am still becoming.”
This is ROY.
What I would tell my 7 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is Ashley.
Awakening. Openness. Sisterhood.
What I would tell my 14 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is Ashley.
Ashley’s southern-like sweetness and tears still reside within the pillars of my mind. Her story was deeply vulnerable and powerful. The commonality of our stories brought a sobering comfort to my spirit. Holding back my own tears while I held hers, her words I won’t soon forget.
Ashley’s journey takes us back to the pivotal age of 14. For a growing girl, this age is confusing, exhilarating, and often the time protection is most needed or stolen.
Ashley’s own words are reflected next.
What I would tell my 14 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is Ashley.
“I chose the age of 14 because I was at a transformational time of my life being a young woman.
I had gone thru sexual abuse within a relationship I was in with someone that was older than me. I was feeling kinda damaged as a result and I was able to pinpoint that I wasn’t using my voice as of that time in my life. I chose that age for that purpose.”
What I would tell my 14 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is Ashley.
“I would tell her our that circumstances do not define us and that we get to continue to define ourselves throughout life.
Knowing that it’s not the end of the road when you realize that you’ve been manipulated or you realize that maybe you’ve made a certain choice that it doesn’t define you.
You get to own who you are and take up space. That you’re still worthy of space.”
What I would tell my 14 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is Ashley.
“You are still the best person for you. Ultimately, I wish I would be able to tell myself that I’m there for you because I didn’t really have a lot of voices that said ‘I’m there for you,’ at a time that I was very lonely.
I got comfortable in being quiet and silencing myself because it was easier for me to go through the world not being seen. I took a way a lot from myself by silencing myself. ”
What I would tell my 14 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is JENNIFER.
“It‘s been such a journey. It wasn‘t until about ten years ago that I found that there is no benefit in me not taking up space.
Humility doesn‘t mean to be less than. True humility is taking up the space that‘s owed to you.
Telling my story is the way I use my voice now.“
What I would tell my 14 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is JENNIFER.
No Longer in Pieces.
What I would tell my 14 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is JENNIFER.
As I await my friend’s arrival, I reflect on the inspiration she’s been to me. A true confidant that listens to your stories, your fears, your unwise decisions, with an immense concern and a nonjudgemental framework of compassionate questions.
She is light in a darkened and desperate world void of any real feeling and connection. But my world is better because she resides within the delicate spaces of my heart.
What I would tell my 14 year-old self. A reflective piece.
Amongst the slides, swings, and children’s laughter, Jennifer and I nestle on a bench. It’s her time to share her story.
14 would be the pivotal age to revisit. Her own words are reflected next.
This is JENNIFER.
What I would tell my 14 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is JENNIFER.
“A playground is one of the places that bring me joy.
Even though as a young child, I grew up in the projects, we did have a playground. It reminds me of the times I got to spend with my friends, cousins, and siblings.”
What I would tell my 14 year-old self. A reflective piece.
“I chose the age of 14 because a lot happened around that age for me.
I never felt like I was a part of anything that had structure. I used my imagination to dream about the life I wanted to live when I got older.”
This is JENNIFER.
What I would tell my 14 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is JENNIFER.
“I would tell my 14-year old self, it’s okay to be present in your life now. You don’t have to try to change what it is because all those dreams you have, you’re going to make them come true.
Enjoy the present moment. Play with your friends. Play with your cousins and don’t think too much about boys.”
What I would tell my 14 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is JASEN.
Childhood. Chances. Forgiveness.
What I would tell my 16 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is JASEN.
Jasen’s story honors the immense freedom of being a child with caring parents.
We go to the playground to reminisce on those moments while also realizing childhood is replaced swiftly with adulthood; a shifting that many of us are not fully prepared to execute well, freely, and with intention.
But we pause for a moment, and go back in time. Jasen takes his story back to 16 years old when life would shift for him.
His own words are reflected next.
What I would tell my 16 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is JASEN.
“I see a lot of kids making decisions they shouldn’t have to.
For me, I enjoyed my childhood because my parents allowed me to live in the moment.”
What I would tell my 16 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is JASEN.
“I would tell my 16 year-old self at the age I am now at 39, that despite what you are about to go into, you are still amazing.
...Continue to improve on yourself and don’t let anybody get in your way.”
What I would tell my 16 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is JASEN.
“Eventhough I did have thoughts then that I wasn’t worthy enough and have so much pressure I was putting on myself, I realized I still had a good head on my shoulder and can look forward to the future.”
What I would tell my 16 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is KY’ESHA.
Lost. Love. Grace.
What I would tell my 25 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is KY’ESHA.
When asking Ky’esha why this age was the one she chose, her own words filled the room with vulnerable authenticity.
What I would tell my 25 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is KY’ESHA.
The story, the words linger and playback in my head as I reflect on it; her deep, eloquent soundtrack of love and pain.
She chose the age of 25 to craft wisdom and grace with the complexity of loss of a loved one and as a result, a loss of balance in her own life.
Her own words are reflected next.
What I would tell my 25 year-old self. A reflective piece.
This is KY’ESHA.
“I would tell her that the best thing that you can do to support this family during this time is to speak up and to also live your life. Don’t hold on to...I have to do this, I have to be in a place where I’m taking care of others and not myself.”
25 was when my dad fell into a 6-1/2 year coma before he passed in 2020. As the eldest child, I felt like I needed to stay there to support my mom with my brother and sister and keep that family dynamic.”
What I would tell my 25 year-old self. A reflective piece.
People
Capturing Moments
Rememebering you
Capturing Milestones
Senior Graduates
Capturing Memories
Love and Happiness
Events
Celebrating Friendship
Graduate Shoot
Accomplishments
Graduate shoot
Life
Milestones
Self-celebration shoot
Coming of Age
Children's Shoot
Celebrations
Graduate shoot
