After many calls, emails, and messages Miss C. brought her lingerie and a bundle of nerves to her session. We ironed most of them out during her hair and makeup and once we got into the swing of things, you would think that she had been posing for boudoir sessions her whole life. This wife, momma and glorious woman did amazing at her session and I think in return, the session was amazing for her.
I have known Miss C. for a few years and it was important for me to show her exactly who she is to everyone around her. She is a giver. This woman is strong, fearless, but a giver. And you know what they say? A giver need to set limits, because takers never do.
This is something that happens to a lot of women, but I definitely saw it with Miss C. She lost herself a bit in the whirlwind of having children, living outside the city and if there's one thing I know, it's that she requires social activity. She is too sparkly to not interact with people!
Miss C felt everything most women do prior to their boudy babe sessions: fear, guilt, concern, and lack of confidence. She sent me emails about fear over her weight and size and I emailed back "You'll be fine. Trust me." We emailed back and forth for a few months and then, I called her. I eased the fear and put my foot down on the negative self talk. It was time for her to give up control Sometimes that's all it takes....someone saying: "It's okay. You don't need to be in control this time."
Miss C. brought her bombshell game and during her reveal there were tears. We didn't even get through the first photo before tissues were being used. THIS was the woman she knew she was! THIS was the woman hiding beneath the Rider sweaters, the kid's spit up, and the dishes at the homestead. THIS was the woman she needed to be reunited with. And it wasn't the weight she was looking at or thinking about anymore. She was looking at all the goddamned fabulousness and confidence that was bubbling up inside.
Miss C. will always be a giver, because that is just her nature and that is part of what makes her beautiful, but I hope that this session will remind her that she also needs to take time for herself.
Here's what this goddess had to say about her session:"Teri, your work brought me to tears. You told me to trust you. I was so very nervous I would not do your work justice. You also said you would get me naked. You succeeded and crushed any doubt I had. I did get naked and loved the finished product. As did my husband ."
Miss A Takes On Portland ~ International Boudoir Photography
Miss A & I had the pleasure of meeting at a workshop in San Francisco last year, so I was really excited when she wanted to shoot with me! Shooting other photographers is a great compliment, but also a ton of fun. I told her that I would be in Portland so if it wasn't too much trouble she should come there (she runs the amazing nine23 photography studio in Indiana) and we could play in the AirBNB that I stayed at. So, she bopped on over to Portland with her man-friend and came in to my cute little space to have her session. Things I knew from the workshop: Miss A is a bundle of energy and loves to laugh. Things I learned from her session: she is able to work her eyes like nobody's business and her fierceness and take no shit attitude is extremely evident and refreshing.
The last time I saw Miss A, her hair was down to her shoulders and like most women, she changed her hair when she had a change in her life and now she rocks this kick ass pixie cut! I think she looks like a modern day Tinkerbell, but with a little more ferocity.
But with that ferocity, Miss A also has a gentle, kind, and compassionate soul that will do whatever it takes to take care of her family and those closest to her. She does what is right: for her, for her family, and for her life.
I think it's important for photographer's to "get shot" so they know what their clients will feel like, and I hope that Miss A will have this experience to look back on and show her clients that regardless of what is going on in your life, you sometimes need to put yourself first, because dammit, you are worth it! Anywho, I hope to see Miss A again in the future and I am sure we will meet up at workshops or conferences going forward!
