(photo by Modern Love Studios)Now that 2017 is on it's way out, I figured it would be a good time to get my year end post done, but this one is going to be a bit different. Usually I recap all the amazing shoots that I have had throughout the year, but if you want to see a fraction of them, feel free to zip through the blog for 2017 and get an idea. Ever woman that graces my lens is incredibly amazing and worthy of mention, but since I don't want to keep you here for hours and hours on end, I am going to do something...new. 2017 is the year that I saw myself really step up in terms of photography education, and in an effort to get my name out there a bit more, I attended workshops, retreats, mentored, and more importantly made a lot of photographer connections. This year I had the pleasure of visiting a plethora of amazing boudoir photog friends and idols and in doing so, I was photographed multiple times throughout the year. I have waited until now to unveil all of the photos that I received from my talented peers because I wanted to wait until I wrapped the year. After being photographed as many times as I did this year, I realized something incredible about body image.....I will literally never know exactly how I look. I have been photographed by 4 different artists (and myself!) who interpreted me in a different way and as a photographer, I can tell you that that is how THEY see me. Some photographers brought out my sensual side, some my sexual side, some my bad ass side, some my soft side, some my rebellious side, my inner diva, my divine goddess, etc. No 2 sets of images are the same and I think this is the most incredible thing. I WILL LOOK HOW YOU WANT ME TO LOOK. Your perception of me will be based on your own body image, your life experiences, your view of the world and no matter how I try to change myself to adapt, I will never look ONE WAY to everyone....which is why I think it is ultimately ridiculous how we try to look ONE way, in an effort to appear "societally acceptable" when individuals make up society and will perceive you in their own way. People will choose to see your beauty or choose to find your flaws. Some people will find my rolls cute af, others will find my body appalling and disgusting. Neither is right or wrong. They are just perceptions (though I'm gonna side with the cute af) Some people will decide what is abhorrent about you, while others will decide that you are nothing but positive light. NEITHER OF THESE OPINIONS ARE RIGHT OR WRONG. They are simply their perception. I didn't go into these photoshoots with any expectations aside from excitement, positivity and joy. When I look at all of these photos together, and the collage of metal images I have on my wall at home, I am reminded that I am not one way and I can't possibly exist one way to everyone. Those who will choose to see what I do in myself: the strength, the passion, the creativity, the fire, and the goodness, are people I want to surround myself with going forward....and those that can't see beyond what they consider to be my flaws, problems, or disgusting bits are people I don't need to waste my precious energy on. I urge those of you reading this to GET YOUR PHOTO TAKEN AND GET YOUR PHOTO TAKEN OFTEN AND GET YOUR PHOTO TAKEN BY MANY PEOPLE. I want you to see the amazing bits of yourself that you don't even know exist. I will stop babbling now, and let you get to viewing my Nudie Judie photos below. Ps. if nips and bums offend you, gtfo of here.Fierce/Sexual Teri - courtesy of Modern Love StudiosDenise Birdsong made me feel so sexy and like a sexual goddess during my session. At first, I was nervous and felt I didn't think I could be "sexy" in the way she wanted me to be. This woman is the queen of emotion so I knew I had to bring it, but part of my problem is overthinking and wanting to be perfect instead of just immersing myself in the experience. I remember feeling like a horse getting ready to exit the gate, and Denise calmed me the fuck down. It was an awesome experience.
Glamorous Teri - Jennifer Williams BoudoirJennifer and I had met at a workshop a few years ago, so when we got back into the studio together to shoot each other in her Vancouver studio I was super excited. She has made a huge name for herself in the boudoir industry for her clean, luxurious, beautiful work and bad ass boss babe attitude. During my session with her, I felt so glamorous lying about on the soft pillows, expensive sheets, standing against her marble inspired wall. It was a true glam moment for me! (especially since I usually wear sweatpants and tshirts)
Playful, Sweet & Sensual Teri - Joi PhotographyCrystal and I had met at the very beginning of my boudoir journey at a retreat in San Diego and it was so amazing to catch up at her Saskatoon studio! Crystal has everything planned to the last detail and her attention to detail is what made my session feel flawless. I never felt uncomfortable once during our session (aside from physical discomfort from some of the poses, but I know to expect that bahaha....all my clients are laughing, because THEY KNOW....) When I saw the images, I almost cried because if you know me, soft is not a word I would use to describe myself (aside from physically haha!). But Crystal found my inner softness, sweetness, and flirt and I couldn't believe it. My favorite image of ever was taken at this shoot, the black and white nudie one with me by the window where you can see my tum and my bum. I love it. I went back later in the year and Crystal also did headshots for me which are also 100% accurate to me. This babe is incredible, so those of you in Saskatchewan, please go see her!!
Wild Teri ~ Boudie NationMiss Kristina and I met up in Vegas this year during WPPI and on one of our trips to the desert we photographed each other. Kristina is immensely talented at blending her subjects with nature (check out her amazing work) and when I saw these I was in LOVE. I have to give props to my friend Angelina for the use of the fur coat haha! But I fell in love with tum in these images and there is something so...liberating about hanging about naked and semi-naked in the desert off the highway. 
Rebel/Feisty Teri ~ Fearlessly You BoudoirPaige and I met during our shoots with Denise Birdsong (during a photography retreat) and we bonded immediately. We had flown down to Pittsburgh to hang out with our mutual boudy bestie Stephanie Wells and played in her studio while Steph was getting her makeup done. Paige took complete control and despite being the sweetest, kindest babe, this girl knows how to bring out feisty Teri. We had an amazing weekend and next year we are set to go play in HER studio so look forward to more images from Paige!
Sassy Pants Teri - Teri Hofford PhotographyThis year I have spent a lot of time focusing outside of myself on my business and growing the education side of things, so this was the first time I had done boudoir selfies all year, but it was a look I had wanted to do for awhile with someone else, so I just did it with myself instead. I think these images do a good job of showcasing how I view myself. Selfies are something that can make or break a person's confidence, but thankfully I had done a year of self portraits so I knew that it literally does take like 10 photos to get 1 good one and even then it's not AS good as how someone else could take it unless you practice a lot. My goal for next year is to do a monthly session with myself to remind myself that I am worth the time, the energy and taking off the sweatpants for.
So what can you look forward to in 2018? Well, stay tuned for the next blog post to outline the plans, changes, and updates to Teri Hofford Photography! Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey, whether you are a photographer, client, vendor, family member, friend, even the trolls (they usually give me good fodder for the blog). Without your love and positivity, guidance, support, and sharing of the stuff, I would not be able to empower as many women as I currently am. Words will never be enough for me to show gratitude for those that share my words, my images, my mission with their friends and family. YOU are causing change. YOU are powerful. Thank YOU.
It's Personal {body positivity, that is} ~ Winnipeg Body Image Activism
While this post may be better suited for my other page, iammorethanjustabody.com, the website isn't up yet, so you get to hear about it here. There has been a lot of chatter on my photography page and within my VIP group in regards to body positivity and all that jazz, especially since I posted the advertisement below, so I thought I would expand on my feels in this post.
I was called out by a fellow photographer for "not really promoting body positivity" with this ad because it features a relatively muscular man. So, first of all, the ad was NOT looking for men of all body types, but rather for someone who wants to photograph men, so the dude in the photo is just there for an example of the kind of work that I do. Secondly, body image is not reserved for the unfit only. Let me say it again: BODY IMAGE IS NOT RESERVED FOR THE UNFIT ONLY. Men like to feel bad ass, hot af, and feel confident so I am not to say who is or isn't allowed to enjoy a body positive experience. While I tried to get these points across to the gentleman that decided to hijack my post, he still remained pretty certain that only "fat" people can be body positive. Sigh.
Body positivity & self image are extremely personal, so with the intent put on "fixing society" we are never, ever going to accomplish this. This is like assigning a colored t-shirt to a particular day in an effort to "fix the problem" but in fact, people continue to bully because the problem is not the color of the shirt a bully wears, it's in their mental attitude. So, when it comes to fixing society to stop marginalizing certain groups, we literally have to start within ourselves and become the leaders and champions of our own lives, which in turn will inspire others. Is this easy? God, no. Is it worth it? Of course.
So, what does this mean? This means that if I, as a person OF society, want to make a change in the way body image is perceived, then I have to start with myself. Why is it okay for me to call myself disgusting, but as soon as someone else does it, SOCIETY needs to change? If every person did the inner work necessary to heal themselves and get to the root of their problems there would probably be a lot less hatred in the world. But people don't. Because it's hard. If we stopped pushing ourselves down, then maybe we could move forward from all of this bullshit.
Something I refer to a lot in my talks, is that women ARE to blame. Who keeps buying the magazines that tell us we look and feel like shit, so buy this product to feel/be/look better? We do! 85% of the diet industry is funded by women hoping for a quick fix to achieve an "idealistic body". So, yah, when we say it's society that's the problem...it is...because society is US.
When I stated that body positivity was not reserved for fat people, I had a few people speak up about how while it is not reserved for fat people, it came about due to the fat acceptance movement. My interpretation of that comment was that because the fat acceptance movement played a part in body positivity, it means that fat people should have the recognition for it, so when promoting body positive things we should showcase "fat people". But body image goes way beyond size, shape and so on. Body image encompasses how each individual perceives himself/herself within society (whether or not it is a factual representation of their body, it is their PERCEPTION) and bodies are made up of more than just fat and skin. It just seems that our preoccupation with body image in this day and age is surrounding sizeism. The fat acceptance movement didn't really happen until a few years ago, but I believe there were people fighting for body positivity well before then: people fighting for skin color and the right to be seen as equal, people fighting for gender equality and the right to be seen as equal, and people fighting for disability rights and the right to be seen as equal, etc. All of these things started LONG before the fat acceptance movement, and were different aspects of BODY IMAGE & EMBRACING A PERSON'S IDENTITY. I am certainly not taking away from the work that the fat acceptance movement has provided in terms of body positivity in the most recent years, but I think that we need to understand that by making it seem as though body positivity has to do with size only, we are neglecting the other marginalized groups of people and disrespecting the people that are perceived as being "normal" to society when they do have body image issues.
The thing, I think we forget, is that we all come to the table with our own "glasses" on. Essentially, the way we have always seen our lives, the way we look at our pasts, the way we compare ourselves and others, etc. will play a big part on how our body image reflects in our minds. (Again, this is why it's a personal thing). For example, someone who is 105 lbs and suddenly gains 30lbs due to an unknown reason, may find themselves comparing their new body to an old one and will probably feel fat. So, to this person, she may think of herself as fat, but to someone like me who is 250lbs I would be more inclined to tell her otherwise. But again, I CANNOT TELL SOMEONE HOW THEY SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT FEEL.
Then people say "HEY! Fat isn't a bad word" and this is correct. But, what has happened is that we have conditioned ourselves to use the word fat as an umbrella term in place of how we actually feel. For example, perhaps you eat a lot of salty pizza and lots of ice cream (which is delicious in the moment!), but then the next day you feel bloated and uncomfortable. We would standardly say "uuuuuugh...I'm having a fat day" when in fact you KNOW you can't possibly have gained fat that quickly, but instead you are probably feeling: lethargic, bloated, uncomfortable, dehydrated, maybe guilty because you have an unhealthy relationship with food, etc. but we sum that up with "FAT" because that is what WE, as society, have bought into. Every time we watch a commercial, read a magazine, or scroll through our newsfeeds we have reminders telling us how shitty we must feel when we are "fat" and if we don't stop to critically think where those messages are coming from, we internalize it and then believe it as true, and we continue to spend the money on the establishments that "promises to save us" from ourselves.
So, I got a bit off topic there, but I needed to explain that body positivity is for EVERY body. I cannot tell someone who is 10lbs thinner than me that they are not allowed to be body positive because they aren't as fat as me. That just doesn't make sense to the phrase BODY POSITIVE. I cannot tell someone if they fall into the fat category or not, because that would be just as terrible as going to the doctor and telling them you have to "fit into this particular category" in order to be deemed healthy (and this fatty know how shitty that feels). As a boudoir photographer and body image activist it is NOT my place to determine someone's level of body image acceptance. 
If someone comes to me and tells me they have struggled with their body image their whole life and they are 110lbs I am not going to say "Girl, you have nothing to worry about" because she DOES have something to worry about...she has to worry about the unhealthy relationship that she is having with her body and that it is resulting in preventing her from understanding her worth because her confidence is so low. She has to be concerned that over 13 times a day she is saying negative shit to herself that further compounds her feelings. She has to worry that she is developing an eating disorder because she feels she is "not allowed" to talk about her body image issues because of her petite size. My job as a body image activist is not to turn her away because she "isn't fat enough"...it's to embrace, understand, and be an ally to her as she works on herself to understand that even though her body IS good enough, her body is only a fraction of the awesome equation that makes her her. If a woman weighs 210lbs+ and and says she hates her body, I am going to give her 100% of the same treatment, respect, and understanding. It is not my place to tell someone how they can and cannot feel about their bodies, nor should it be yours.
We, as individuals, can only work from within and work on ourselves. We can critically think about the mass messages and not buy into the shit we are being fed. We can stop buying waist trainers, cosmetic surgery procedures, and products that are aimed to "fix" us...because as a business owner I know, that if there is no $$ coming in, you will go out of business---supply and demand and all that. The only way to change society is to ultimately focus on yourself...are you being judgemental? Are you pushing other people down to help yourself? Are you buying products in an effort to increase your self worth? Are you sharing memes online that promote shaming in any capacity? Or are you calling people out for doing this sort of shit? I promise that once you start to focus on your own contribution to society, you will start to see that the change may actually begin with you.
After that long-winded explanation this is why I firmly believe that body positivity is for every body and should not be reserved for a certain "type." Essentially, in order for us to change the society that we curse so much, we must look within ourselves and start the change from there. After all, as Ghandi says "Be the change, you wish to see in the world."