I first met Miss M when I moved into my studio and held a body positive "support group" and I was immediately captured by her stunning eyes, but more importantly her willingness to share her story and I could feel some sadness behind her. After that meeting we kept in touch via the social media and I saw this babe accomplish some killer shit....she's amazing at organizing events where people could be themselves without fear. She makes people feel included and gives them space to not only exist, but to be seen and live their best lives. In addition to that, she just recently ran a marathon in Vegas I believe and I totally tip my hat to anyone who can run without being chased. In any case, I asked her to write her story for the blog because I feel she is amazingly motivational and sassy af:I was 28, and had always thought about doing a sassy Boudoir shoot. I wanted to do it for myself, to See myself in a light that I hadn't before. And I had the Idea to plan one for my 30th birthday as a gift to myself. I googled "Boudoir photography Winnipeg" and upon looking at a few different photographer's sites and portfolios, Found Teri. I sent her an email to book a consult, and so begins my journey to finding myself. To finding myself in front of her lens, to finding myself sitting anxiously for my reveal, to finding myself looking at myself in not only the light I'd hoped, but in one I didn't expect.During the 2 years leading up to my shoot, I joined Teri's Facebook group, and found SO many great women to connect with that empower each other and lean on each other. I worked with Teri on a couple of her projects and started to enjoy being in front of her camera, preparing myself for my official shoot. Her "Too much" project helped me see some of the bullshit we're fed in being told to be 'less' of what we are, to fit someone else's ideals. And Her open letter to Additionelle was an eyeopener as well in showing body diversity in lingerie and clothing. I did a mini body positivity workshop, and it showed me how Media affects body image and diet culture in subtle and sinister ways, and where my own body issues started.I took advantage of Teri's payment plan to pay for my session, and made monthly payments for a collection. By the time My shoot date rolled around, I just had to show up, and that was it. It was truly an amazing way to make my shoot worry free (less the anxiety of actually getting in front of the camera!)The morning of my shoot, I made my way to Teri's Studio. Let me tell you, I was real close to turning around, cancelling the entire thing, and going home to hide under my covers. But I am SO glad that I didn't, as this turned into one of the best experiences of my life, and one of the biggest turning points in how I look at myself. Hair and makeup with Nicole was super relaxing and pampering and made me feel like a million bucks before starting my shoot. After a few relaxation exercises and loosening up a bit, we picked outfits and were off to the races! I felt sassy, and sexy, and like a completely different person. I was definitely sore after from all of the booty popping, and back arching, but I was SO excited to see how my images looked.A week or so later was my reveal. Sitting there Waiting for my images to appear, I was probably more nervous than I was for the shoot itself, because I always looked at images of myself and picked them apart. One of the rules in reveals is to look at images as if they are of someone else. This was easier than I expected and as I saw my images scroll through on the screen, I was completely in awe at myself. I saw beauty in myself, I saw my cheekbones, and my lips, and the different colours in my eyes. I saw the sassiness I felt on my shoot day, and I fell in love with what myself more with every image.Now here I sit, a year after my reveal, and I am Still in Love with my images. I am able to see positives in every image I see of myself, as opposed to negatives. I see the image as a whole, and the overall beauty in that moment in time. Was that one shoot a magic fix? No. I Have bad body image days like everyone else does, and I have days where I pick an image apart and see "flaws". But those days are fewer and farther between, and I cannot WAIT to do another shoot with Teri.If you are considering a shoot with Teri, and are unsure, Take the leap, You won't regret it. This has had a profound and lasting effect on me, and I truly am a different person and have different perceptions since doing my shoot.Is 2019 the year that you want to see yourself in a new light? Perhaps show that body of yours some love and realize it's not as bad as you think it is? Then hit us up with an email and get the low down on the empowerment sessions we offer!
She Couldn't Stop Looking At Herself ~ Florida Boudoir Photography
Miss Dawn will go down in history as one of my most self conscious clients....which is ironic, because she spends her days telling other babely babes that they are awesome and worthy of being photographed. Miss Dawn is a boudoir photographer in Florida and someone that fell in love with our lovely miss Sam and since she saw that shoot she knew she had to have a shoot with me! Well, the stars aligned when I took my little Florida tour and not only did I photograph her, but she also had me stay with her and do a Body Image Bootcamp for her clients, friends and family. We had an amazing few days together full of shop talk, me yelling positive things at her when she would doubt her babeliness, dressing up in her studio outfits to make breakfast, and empowering other women that joined us! In fact, the morning of her shoot she came out of her bedroom and told me that it was a good thing I was staying with her because otherwise she would have tried to cancel her shoot!!! Hey! If that's what it takes....invite me for a sleepover and I will make sure you get your session done!! It's always fun for me to try to use other photographer's set ups and Miss Dawn has her studio out of her house (actually the bedroom I stayed in!!) It's always a fun challenge for me to see the light differently, have access to different furniture and have to think on my feet! Well, despite her fears, she KILLED IT. As soon as we got going with the first outfit, she turned it on for the camera. Shortly after I returned home and had sent her a sneak peek (photographers are worse at peskiness than regular clients) she was blown away. However, before she even SAW the photos, she had noticed a change within herself that had come from just doing this thing that scared her....and that's what I tell all of my clients. The photos are just a bonus for you to remember how amazing it feels to do something completely out of your comfort zone and to document the moment when you shed a bunch of layers of societal bullshit. The EXPERIENCE is what we want you to have the most of! A few of Dawn's phrases after seeing her images included: "This has forever changed me." and "DON'T EVER STOP doing what you do. You are absolutely impacting women everywhere!" and "I cannot stop looking at myself!"Scroll through the images, listen to the music and when you get to the bottom feel free to watch her video testimonial![audio mp3="https://www.terihoffordphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Only-Thing-That-Matters.mp3"][/audio]
Betty Boob Takes the Stage - Winnipeg Boudoir Photographer
Babe: Miss SamMakeup: Envy Beauty Makeup ServicesHair: Hair Seduction
Miss Sam is one of the most inspiring women I know and I couldn't wait to shoot her editorial session. When she presented me with pin up, I'm not gonna lie, I was a little worried because I don't really shoot pin up in the way pin up is meant to be shot. I set that expectation with her and told her we would do pin-up inspired but it would still be a Teri-shoot! Sam's sister did her amazing hair and Nicole gave her the epic makeup look to cap it off. When Sam unleashed her bag full of clothes it was red, pink and her favorite color: Cheetah.And then she asked if she could smoke for a shot and I was very much into it so we had a bit of a party in the tub!Anyhow, I had a ton of fun and hope I helped Sam execute her pin up fantasies! She is adorable and super sassy so I think she did amazing!
I think I have done 4 boudoir shoots with Teri now , and a couple of videos. Each experience taking me out of my proverbial bubble and forcing me to see myself the way others see me and the way I need to see myself my journey that Teri has taken me on and has lead for me and so many other woman on Self Acceptance, Self Love and Body Love . So when Teri said "Ok pick an Editorial theme" , I didn't even have to think about it . I knew I wanted a pin up/Rockabilly inspired shoot .(she brought me paper print outs of her inspo!) That is the style I have loved and subtly have worked into my everyday style and wardrobe . Everything we shot was from my closet . I always loved the image of being sweet and innocent with that edge that comes with the whole era . The most noticeable difference with Editorial was well I had a hell of a lot more clothes on for this shoot for the most part (Teri did get me into my bra and panties but I was still in a coat.) It was fun to play with the lights and props. Nicole did some super glamorous makeup and used brighter color on my eyes. The direction during this shoot was different too, a lot less positional direction and more attitude direction ..Less boobs up back arched more show me that Sass . Teri said I need you to really channel that image, that style, that attitude you want to portray. I got to play a part , remove my reality and embrace the fantasy and create the image I had seen in ads and in movies and most notably in the incredibly cheeky and sexy cartoon Betty Boop that I have tattooed on my leg and have shrined in my home. That is how my name "Betty Boob" came to light I got to play my version of her which has been my forever fantasy and I loved every minute of it . Now only if I can figure out how to do the Victory Rolls in my hair everyday . 
Ready to book your editorial session? Shoot me an email: thpstudios@gmail.com or hit up the contact form!
She was a tired, frumpy mom ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photography
Miss S is quite the firecracker. When we first met she was a wee bit nervous about doing a boudoir session and the thought of getting nekid...but then she saw my metallic boots...and fur...and had one amazing time in the studio. This woman brought the fire to her session and was open to anything and everything. We laughed a lot during her shoot, but that didn't stop us from capturing the sultry vixen within. One of our signature outfits - the wet white tank top - has become kind of a tradition (so much that I just hoard a plethora of white tank tops in the studio)...but while the wet tank top is sexy af, it is the asking women to channel all of the negative shit they have ever said to themselves into it and then ripping it off their body that is truly therapeutic. It sounds silly, but adults don't get the opportunity to destroy stuff as much as they would probably like, so it's extremely cathartic. Just take a look at how much this session changed Miss S' life.
When I first saw a friend of mine’s boudoir photos by Teri I was blown away and cried. She had captured her essence. All I saw when I looked in the mirror was a tired, frumpy Mom, wife and coworker. I didn’t see me anymore and that’s when I decided I wanted to see myself how I had saw my friend. Stripped, vulnerable yet strong and amazing!!!
Although I wanted it, I hemmed and hawed about booking and then finally took the plunge. Once I paid I felt so scared like what have I done? Someone is going to see this body, the body even I don’t want to see. I let the fear build until I arrived at the studio. Once there and in that makeup chair, the nervousness was still there, but so was excitement. Hair and makeup was fabulous! I looked so glamorous! It was a change going from tomboy to Hollywood starlet. 
Once the makeup and the first outfit was on ,that’s when I started to get excited. Teri is amazing at giving directions and made the experience enjoyable! She really brought out my personality and adventurousness! I was ready to just go for it in no time! My favourite outfit piece were the silver boots and the faux fur coat! When I saw the boots I prayed they would fit because of their awesomeness. Everyone needs silver boots and a fur! 
The white sheet was actually very liberating. Loved it! I think the best part of the whole experience was ripping off my wet white tank as a way to rid myself of all the negative things I saw and say about my body. I have not said a negative thing about myself since.
My reveal was all I could have ever hoped for and more!!! I didn’t recognize myself and I was amazed at how many images of MYSELF that I loved!! Even nudes!! They were gorgeous. This was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I guess sometimes you have to strip things down to build them back up again. Thank you Teri for capturing my essence and helping me find myself and my happy.
ARE YOU READY TO CAPTURE YOUR ESSENCE? SHOOT ME AN EMAIL AND LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!
She Took A Chance On Herself ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photographer
When Miss M came in for her first shoot, about 2 years ago, she probably never imagined that she would end up in a magazine nor did she think she would be asked to model for my posing tutorial video. Well, every time I presented her with an opportunity she never said no and that's how beautiful Miss M became one of my Boudy Muses. Now, for those of you that aren't sure what a Boudy Muse is, it is someone that I have an easy time photographing without giving much direction and there is a certain "chemistry" as odd as that sounds that allows us to just "click!" The very first time I shot Miss M I felt it and knew I needed her to come back in for some new stuff! This babe brings it every time and is always incredibly professional on set! The best part about these opportunities, however, is that SHE had to do something uncomfortable. SHE had to book her own boudoir session first, she had to invest in herself first, and she had to take a chance on something that was incredibly scary for her...but NOW LOOK!! She has graced the pages of the national Fabuplus magazine and is now inspiring to so many women, photographers and other clients alike! It pays to take a chance on yourself every now and then.
