For years my sister and I have been told we "look so much alike" yet we couldn't be any different if we tried. She is a curvy, petite babe and I am a rectangular, tall babe, she is feisty (we called her Taz when she was little) and stubborn and I give no fucks and am a bit more relaxed. The one thing we do have in common, though, is how much we need each other in our lives. The quote "You keep me wild, I'll keep you safe" is one that resonates for me when it comes to our relationship. I have always been the free-spirited hippie and though she is chronologically younger than me, she acts older, making me eat fruit instead of cookies and all that. Like any sibling relationship, it hasn't always been rosy. There are times when our Barbies would be hurled across the room at each other, she got creative with my Macauly Culkin poster, and I passive aggressively made her do my bidding. I wouldn't change it for the world. As the years have gone by and we both "matured" into the adults we are today, there were times when we definitely didn't understand each other. One of those times includes our views on our bodies. From a young age I was bullied and had to find out who I was and become confident in myself as a PERSON and not just as a BODY, but my sister was popular, had lots of friends and was more stereo-typically pretty...but this led to her own dissatisfaction with her body, comparing herself to other girls, and just not recognizing how awesome or beautiful she truly was. Fast forward to today, where she has birthed 3 children (which are fucking adorable btw) and realized she had to become a different role model. She started to see her body for what it helped her accomplish and that was when she FINALLY let me do a boudoir session for her. Her shoot was awesome for me because I finally got to direct her and take control, whereas normally she conducts the family gatherings, but more importantly, I saw her confidence come out during her session. When asked to describe her session, she chose the following: Powerful, Exhilarating, Out of my comfort zone . Take a look below at her story and images (and yes, yes, we DO look alike...she just got all the bootay in the family.)
I was extremely nervous going into my shoot. I'm a mom of three and have always been self conscious of my body. In the past I've used eating disorders to help combat what I thought was "fat & ugly" (let me interject and say that fat does not = ugly, fyi). After having kids my body was never the same but I knew that I had my kids watching me so eating disorders wasn't something I wanted them to see. Instead I've been trying to accept that my body is beautiful and it has provided me with three healthy babies and I've earned these new curves with hardwork. However, it hasn't been an easy road accepting it. This experience was more than just pictures. It made me realize that just because I'm a curvacious "mom", I'm sexy, I'm beautiful. I'm confident. I saw myself in a light that I have not seen for many years. I feel more beautiful and happy with myself in these photos then I did the day I walked down the aisle 30 lbs lighter. I have given life, I have started a company, I have fun with friends, I live life and that is what I'm finally seeing in myself. This experience helped me see all this and more.
With her remarks about being happier now than 30lbs lighter when she got married, I know what she is talking about because I was there for it all. I remember how stressed she was about her body prior to her wedding and while she looked beautiful, she now has sun shine beaming out of her face and it doesn't come from being a certain size or achieving an unrealistic ideal, it comes from living a life that one could only dream of: She has created a ridiculously successful bakery, a gorgeous, down to earth family and is laughing and loving herself a lot more....I couldn't be more proud of my sister...(I'M NOT CRYING, YOU'RE CRYING).Are you ready to change your life? To appreciate for what it is right now? Then hit me up with an email and let's chat about your dream session!
Her Session Was Ah...Maze...Ing ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photographer
You know what pisses me off? People who damage other people for their own fun. I see so many women come in front of me, so unaware of their beauty, grace, and awesomeness because some asshat, somewhere, at some point in their life made them feel less than. While I am happy to help these women on their journey to finding all of those wonderful bits about themselves again, I become enraged and wonder WHO THE FUCK HAS THE RIGHT TO DAMAGE SOMEONE ELSE?? And I am not just talking about women, just people in general. Stop taking from other people to try to make yourself feel worthy. Ugh. Anyhow, enough ragey Monday stuff.
Miss H came to me for an empowerment session. This sweetheart sat in front of me in her quiet beauty and we chatted about her changing body since having a baby and how she wanted to see herself like everyone else sees her. Naturally, I take that very seriously, so when she came in for her shoot with nothing but the clothes she was wearing, we took to the Boudy N' Beauty Wardrobe, played dress up, enhanced her natural beauty with the artistry of Nicole Velasquez and set to work creating amazing images that would ultimately change the way she felt about her amazing self.
Are you ready to see yourself in a new light? To get reacquainted with the stunning babe that you are, inside and out? Then simply hit the contact button at the top and shoot me an email!!
These Years Are About Them, But This Day Was About Her ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photography
Miss J traveled in for her Classy Session and we had a lot to chat about as she currently lives in the hometown where I grew up. This beautiful farm girl has a gaggle of her own and hasn't had a chance to acknowledge her womanhood in quite sometime, so she was excited to have the chance to feel pampered and have the spotlight on her for a bit. She brought some amazing heels covered in sequin which I couldn't pass up and I also found out that she does MMA! How cool is that? This little beauty is a perfect example of the quote "Though she be but little, she is fierce." Ps. check out how well our new rug photographs!!!!
Everything about my experience with Teri was amazing. I'm a stay at home mom to 3 and a farm wife. My kids leave the house all looking like superstars and I follow behind in sweats, a bun and no make up. That's always been okay for me because these years are about them. But being at Teri's, I got to be the attention. I was pampered and got to step out of my mommy shoes and just be a women again. I needed to remind myself that even though all my focus is on them it's okay if sometimes it's on me. And my husband will be very happy with the outcome!
I wholeheartedly agree. Her husband will be VERY pleased with these images, but more importantly Miss J was very pleased with her images and the overall experience. I think it's really easy for babes to forget they are women when they are focusing on just keeping their babies alive and healthy! So many of my clients are moms and wives, used to putting themselves last, but it is also important to take a few hours a week to remember who you are a woman and human. That may mean hiring a babysitter, locking yourself in the bathroom, putting on mascara while you are in the car parked outside your kids' school...SOMETHING. And when you have a few more hours, come see us and we will get you feeling all sexy, glammed up, feminine, and what not.
She Is A Fighter {Minneapolis Diaries} ~ International Boudoir Photographer
The team and I took a road trip down to the big city of Minneapolis for shooting and shopping and it was a whirlwind of a trip. We went down on Canada day, stayed for July 4th, and met some crazy beautiful women with fabulous stories. Miss R found out about me through her friend that I had the pleasure of shooting in Vegas and drove 3 hours to come see me! We shot at the gorgeous AirBnb that we rented for the week and made use of the gorgeous moody light. I could tell when Miss R got there that she had some hesitations and was extremely nervous. Due to the distance we were not able to have an in-person consultation, so I totally got where she was coming from, but this is why it is SO important that we do consultations if you ARE in Winnipeg! Anywho, this babe was reluctant because she saw herself as "Mom" and "Wife" and was unsure of herself and her body since she had 3 little ones. I will let her tell you her story, but I have to say she blew. me. away. She dug deep and found herself again.
So I finally did it. Me, a young mom of three, self conscious to the max, fighting major depression since childhood and still struggling to 'find myself'. As we talked prior to shoot, I know Teri could see my shy and timid nature, but as we continued shooting I found myself turn into a sexy beast, someone I never knew I could be.
The compliments and easy directions Teri told me, made it so easy for me to transform. I know she doesn't say she will transform us, better enhance our own beauty, let that person who's been hiding out, but she did, she transformed me into a goddess!
I felt more confident than I have ever felt in my entire life. I felt sexy. I felt beautiful. I felt happy with myself. And very brave for doing this.
Never once during the entire session did I do my normal negative self talk, pointing out my 'mom tummy', how my face is too fat, how I hate my thighs and I wish I was thinner, NONE, NONE OF IT!!! I was fierce, I was incredible and I felt amazing. I was no longer 'just a mom', 'not pretty enough for this', or a 'lost and self conscious girl'... I was a woman, a fucking hot and awesome woman who can and WILL achieve amazing things.
<3 I cant thank you enough for making me feel like this Teri. You are a wonderful person to change lives like this!
My favorite outfit was nothing at all. By the end of the session I felt so confident, nothing but a blanket was all I needed to shine through! At the beginning I was so nervous and scared but quickly I changed into someone who wasn't afraid of anything.
I'm so grateful to have the photos to remind myself that I can be beautiful, I can be sexy and I can always be timid about something as long as I fight through it, amazing results will shine through. Thank you for this opportunity to find the good in myself again!
I think Miss R. hit the nail on the head when she said it's okay to be timid, as long as you fight through it to do something amazing that you will never regret! I am so thankful she shared her story and her experience because I know there are far too many "moms" out there who forget that they are first and foremost WOMEN. Think you are ready to reclaim your sensuality and goddess-like nature? If so, hit me up at the contact page and let's chat!!
More Than Just a Mom ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photography
Miss T walked into my studio a few months ago as part of a casting call and little did I realize just how much this shoot would impact her. (Ps. if you want to get in on the casting call action, come join the VIP Boudy Babe group on Facebook! We kept the session relatively minimalist, aside from the faux fur coat I bought for Vegas. Being a photographer, Miss T had spent her life BEHIND the camera (as many of us do) and so she was a wee bit nervous to take the leap into this shoot! She had forgotten what it meant to feel like a woman as she slid into the role of Mom and started putting herself on the back burner as so many women do. Enjoy her story, of a Mom taking a chance to remember what it feels like to be a Woman and having her expectations thrown all around!
I answered a casting call of Teri's a while back, and was stoked when I got the chance to be in front of her lens. Actually, no - I was terrified. Anyone who knows me, will think that this is bullshit. I had a brief stint “modelling” I come across fairly outgoing and confident, but truth be told, my life and roles are always changing. So my confidence comes and goes. Lately, its been on the lower end of things. So jumping in head first, is pretty much the only way I can do things, otherwise I wouldn’t ever do anything.
I myself am a photographer, and I struggle getting in front of the camera. My current main role, is a mom to a two year old gorgeous, energetic little girl, and my daily life is lived in pyjamas or sweats, no make up and hair in a messy bun. I often am surviving on little sleep, and since pregnancy have developed more anxiety then I ever had in my life. My body image has changed. Any Moms out there will likely relate. Women’s bodies are amazing. They bring life into the world, and are capable of so many things. One day, I will love my body, find an outfit that looks good, and I feel confident in. Another day, I don’t. I feel ugly, I feel old, I hate gravity, my stomach, my thighs that touch, the bags under my eyes, my chewed nails. You name it, I will beat myself up. People don’t see this, because I joke it off with humour. Even worse, I see this so often with other Moms. “Don’t get me in the photos, just the kids” or “ I look fat in photos, Photoshop it out” Life is fleeting and your kids won’t think that you are fat, so I often encourage women to get in photos with their kids, because truthfully one day - that is all their kids will have, photos and memories. I try to practice what I preach, and do family photos, but the truth is: there is more to me than just being a Mom. I am also a woman, under all the PJs and messy buns, there is still some sexy left. If I wait until I lose my ten pounds or my hair done, or my make ups on, I will never get photos done of myself. I will never take care of me. So I jumped in, not entirely ready or sure how I would feel about any of it.
When Teri replied and set up the shoot time, I panicked, realized that post baby, none of my “sexy” stuff fit, and went to the mall. I struggled with what the F should I wear and none of the stuff out there was really my style. (seriously, I couldn’t figure out how to get into half of the stuff) I eventually decided on something simple, a black tank, and underwear, because well, at almost 31, that's what lingerie feels like to me. I lied to my partner, told him I was doing something educationally related to photography, and off I went. I arrived at the studio, sat in the chair and was brought back to that place that I remembered from being younger. Having your make up done, makes you feel like a star. Teri was great. She was very directive, and knew exactly what she wanted, and made me giggle with her pose directions. The shoot itself, was rather quick and painless.
Due to my schedule and little one, instead of a reveal we did an online viewing gallery. Its weird to admit but I had mixed feelings of the photos, some I immediately loved, while others, I am still learning to love. Seeing myself made up was a little surreal to me, it felt strange. When I came home, I think I took the make up off with in an hour, because I don’t consider myself glamorous anymore. Because of the changes in my body, it still feels foreign some days. But I am busy, and distracted, so I don’t have time to dwell.
I actually sent my fiancee a screen shot of one of the images. His reply was “boobbbbs” and I got SO MAD. Why couldn’t he just tell me I looked great? Why did he have to turn into a 12 year old boy!? Why the fuck did this bother me, anyways? Due to my anxiety, I over analyze everything. So I took a break from looking at the photos and looked at them several times after. Instead of saying what I didn’t like about each one I needed to warm up to, I picked one thing that I liked about it. If I felt less confident about the pose, the hair or the make up or expression looked great. If my stomach was showing and made me uncomfortable - well my tits look fantastic. Or in true photographer geek style, if I didn’t like something I’d look at the light. Ive become a master of faking it, until I make it when it comes to my body image. A lot of positive self talk, and switching perspective. Sometimes, all it takes is a bit of make up and a pretty dress.. but other times, it doesn’t. And that's ok. But sometimes, you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone, which I did. And when I am having a day of feeling less than, I can look at the pictures, and remember that I am not. I can remember that I am more than just a Mom. Women wear many hats, and there is so much criticism in so many forums these days. Its exhausting. You are allowed to be more.
Having people like Teri out there in the world, saying its ok to feel pretty/sexy/confident/bold/
And Miss T nails it right on the head in her last paragraph. "You can think you need the makeup, fancy clothes, etc." and this is the furthest thing from the truth when coming in for a boudoir session with me. I want you to wear what is sexy to you. I have said it before and I will say it again: The less "stuff" you have on, the more we can focus on YOU. In consultations, I always warn people that the makeup will be heavier than you are used to because it is photo-ready makeup and it is not to "transform" you, but rather to make you shine on camera. Again, not every one is comfortable seeing a side of them that has been hidden for so many years, or a part of them that has rapidly changed due to having children, but I think it is necessary to expose yourself to the parts of you that you find less desirable so that you can start to see their appeal. In my experience, the repeated exposure of photos of oneself can lead to a more positive body image and overall experience because we start to see the big picture and don't hyper-focus on the tiny parts of ourselves that are inconsequential. Having photos of yourself look fab, fierce, and confident are a great reminder that A)you ARE still a woman regardless of what life throws at you, B)you ARE worthy of feeling sexy, hot af, and desired, and C)documentation of a somewhat fearless & courageous act, thus further enhancing the fact that you are a bad ass mamajama, capable of looking fear in the eye and proceeding anyway. So, what do ya say? Are you ready to take the plunge and do something your future self with thank you for? If so, hit the contact button up top and let's chat!