I brought ms. Kiana in to the studio for some maternity photos because I had some things I wanted to try. We literally went from Annie Leibovitz styled portraits to music video mama. This is your reminder that just because you are pregnant doesn't mean you can't be sassy af.
In Losing Her Power, She Found Her Strength ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photography
When Miss K contacted me about doing a maternity session that wasn't "traditional" and channeled her strength and power rather than the soft, dainty images we usually see with fields, flowers, and hearts on the belly, I said HELL YES!! (Not that there is anything wrong with those, we just wanted more strong & sexy vibe).... As long as she didn't go into labour during her makeup, like our last pregnant babe. There wasn't too much time between when she contacted me and doing her session, so upon meeting for her shoot, I found that Miss K was so sweet, soft spoken and had a beautiful aura about her. But I didn't really have time to hear her story until she sent me her testimonial (which is below)...upon reading her story, my heart broke in pieces, but then I realized that this woman had every reason to be negative, but instead worked her way through what she had to do and refound her inner strength and power to be able to be the loving momma and woman her and her baby needs. I shall let Miss K tell her story below:
I didn't actually research any other boudoir options in Winnipeg. I think the photos I saw of Teri's work before hand (from a mutual Facebook friend) spoke for themselves. On top of that I liked the message and body positivity that I saw once joining her page. Its the kind of thing you know before going into it that you are only going to feel uplifted and welcome.
I think the empowerment session I did was in some ways a culmination of struggle to regain strength over the last nine years and also really helpful in embracing my pregnancy and my future as a single mom.
In the fall of 2008 I was drugged in a guys house, I had gone there to end things with him and ended up two days later having to escape onto the roof with no idea of why I was still there and in a totally psychotic state. That led to a number of diagnoses (general anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD), and an extreme phobia of going new places (particularly peoples homes but not limited to), flashbacks, panic attacks and an avoidance of places that might trigger them. As cliche as it is I lost my power over my own life and its been a slow process back to strength.
Even my current pregnancy was a result of letting someone take advantage of me and not having my own voice in what I wanted. I feel that doing this shoot for myself was so important in having the strength to be alone right now and take care of myself and my baby and remind myself to have positive thought in regards to my mind and body.
There is a lot more to [an empowerment session] than just beautiful people and I think you should try it if you are curious when the time is right. Kind of like of going to therapy, you will go when you are ready.I couldn't agree more with Miss K. When people inquire about gift cards and the like for their partners, I appreciate the sentiment because yes I think it IS a wonderful gift, but for the woman to experience change and really get the full benefits out of what we do here, she has to be ready: ready to get vulnerable, ready to face herself, ready to invest, and ready to experience a possible change. I always say that absolutely the photos are fabulous (cocky much?) but will you be affected? I don't want to convince anyone this is for them, I don't want to coerce people into doing something they aren't fully invested in, and more importantly, I want people to come to me when they are ready to experience empowerment, strength, confidence, and a new outlook on themselves. Did I just give you an excuse not to do it? I can almost hear you saying "well...I'm so busy, maybe the time's not right, so I must not be ready..." THAT is bullshit because there is no right "time" ...just a right attitude. As humans we are great at being "busy" to distract us from seeking what we need most: to re-connect with ourselves. So, if you are curious about what a session for you would be like, feel free to shoot me an email! Just because you come in for a consultation doesn't mean you have to do the session tomorrow, you can find out more, see what we are about and we can determine if we are a good fit for each other!
A Mermaid In a Tub ~ International Boudoir Photography
Miss K is one of my Portland beauties who allowed me to photograph her while I was there! This blue-haired maven rocked her shoot with her little preggo tummy and didn't let that hold her back from being super sensual and amazing! Forwarning: There are nippies going forward, so if that isn't your jam or you are at work, I suggest you come back later (or never, if you actually hate nipples that much.)
Miss K. let me dress her in items that I brought from the studio, but she also had some amazing lingerie that showed off her newly acquired *ahem* chest (the joys of pregnancy, 'miright?) She was so effervescent for her shoot and maybe it was her hair or her Portlandian attitude, but she was super magical and laid back throughout her session.
After shooting the lingerie type things, I couldn't believe I convinced her to go out in the rain and get into the very cold (and slightly dirty!) tub to make a magical mermaidian image! The gorgeous lingerie set was hand beaded by our talented makeup artist Gina (a girl of many talents, I tell ya!) and it looked so amazing with Miss K's hair and eyes!
I think it's funny how when we have tummies that grow babies, we love them, caress them and care for them...as soon as the baby leaves, we suddenly have disgust for this amazing piece of our body which literally, changed your world. I want you to love your tummy as much today as you did when it housed your children. It may look different, but it is still worthy of love and affection.