Miss R responded to a casting call that I put up and came in for a killer shoot with me. When I post casting calls, it's usually because I want to try new lighting, new posing, or I just get the itch to do some shooting (no coincidence this happens around the time I should be doing my taxes....) In any case, if you want to get in on Casting Calls, request an invite to our VIP Boudy Babes group, but make sure you respond quick when I post them, because people tend to scoop them up relatively quickly!! Even though I do these sessions more for myself, I tend to find that the clients also get a huge reward out of the session and here is Miss R to tell you her side of the experience.
There is so much to say about this experience with Teri and Nicole. It is so much more than having your makeup done and your picture taken. The first reason I wanted to do this was to face my fear of being seen, outside of the privacy of my bedroom, as a sexual being. I don't know if it's because I was born female or if it is because, like many people, I have been abused in various ways by various people at various times throughout my life but I have always felt it was necessary to hide the sexual and sensual side of me. Not that I quite felt ashamed of it but just that it was a secret thing not to be expressed.
The second reason I wanted to do a boudoir shoot with Teri is because I have long preached about body acceptance, about how vitally important it is to love yourself in all of your shapes, sizes and ages and though I encourage this with everyone I meet, I didn't quite believe it to be true for myself. I have had many internal conversations that start out with "I love myself except..." or "I think I'm awesome but I wish I could change..." I wanted the exceptions and the list of things it would make me happy to change to go away. I wanted the internal conversation to simply be "I love myself." Full stop.
When Teri posted a casting call to her site, and her criteria matched me I thought to myself "this is it! No delaying or excuses, this is the universe telling me GO!" and so I booked. I wasn't very nervous leading up to the day, but once Nicole was done my make up the jitters got me a little. Nicole left once my hair was done and Teri's first words were "deep breath" with her bright beautiful smile and my nerves disappeared. Right away she talked about what she wanted to do, she asked about my comfort level, she even did some of the poses she wanted me to do herself so I could see what she meant. She was very natural and at ease which put me very at ease. I felt very at home in her studio and in front of her camera.
It was a neat feeling, like I have always, every day stood around mostly naked in front of someone's camera. I never expected it to feel that normal. As we shot, Teri was very complimentary and always positive. I never even heard a "no" escape her. Her words were always positive, uplifting and encouraging. Shooting was done before I knew it and I headed home.
A week or so later I made my way back to the studio for my reveal. Teri showed me a slide show of my images, my reaction was a half cry/half laugh. I didn't have the "that can't be me" feeling I hear a lot of people describe, I didn't have the "I hate these" feeling I have heard some people describe, I had a full on "I f*cking love these, holy sh*t I am crazy HOT, I want to have sex with myself" reaction. What I felt was a total re-connection to myself, to part of me I didn't realized had been disconnected. And that's why the tears and laughter. Thank you Teri for helping me get that part of me back. It seems like such a small thing but my outlook has 100% changed thanks to this experience.
This is WHY I do boudoir and this is WHY I push women out of their comfort zone....sometimes we are comfortable in the self-hate, so much so that we don't recognize how fucking amazing it feels to love ourselves!! Are you ready to embrace your sensuality and have an epic love story with yourself?? If so, hit the contact button at the top and let's arrange a chat!!
She Didn't Feel Sexy {Minneapolis Diaries} ~ International Boudoir Photographer
Miss A and I spent a lot of time together while in Minneapolis because she wanted to put herself into her clients' shoes, but also she wanted to get her mentorship on! I had the pleasure of photographing her in my gorgeous AirBNB and then hanging with her at her awesome Minneapolis studio! This babe was nervous, but also incredibly saucy once we started shooting! She totally gets my mission and promotes the same female empowerment at her boudoir studio, focusing on shooting ladies with curves. Both of us talked about how it was important for there to be diversity of body types in the media, and since we are technically the "media" we could help make this change! So, without further adieu, here is Miss A and her beautiful story.
I loved the experience and just the feeling of confidence afterwards and knowing that I have done this not only for myself but also for my clients when I photograph them. 
I was so scared and nervous and seriously thought that she couldn't bring out sexy in me because I don't feel that way... I sometimes feel cute or silly but not sexy and beautiful. And to be okay with my body, which is a size 28 and to actually see it being strong and holding those poses {which were hard work) and yet I could do it even at my size!
Overall, the experience really had me thinking and re-evaluating my body and how I perceive myself! Thank you for letting me see a different side of me and pushing me out of my comfort zone!
Not only did this babe kill it, but she now knows exactly what her clients feel: before, during, and after the shoot. You can see Miss A's own bog post about her experience here! I cannot wait to see her business grow! This is why I love, love, love to do mentorships (or teritorials as I call them)!! I, as one person, can only empower so many people, but if I can mentor and educate photographers to help them go forth and empower women, then so many more women will have their lives changed!! So, if you are a photographer wanting to impact more women and do more with your business, let me know or if you are a client who is ready to take the leap and do something you will NEVER regret, shoot me an email!
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!!
Get Ready to Party! ~ Winnipeg Celebration Photography
I have been waiting ages to post this session and release these shoots because they are totally amazing and awesome! Since the beginning of the year, birthday cake smashes for adults has become quite the trend and while I was totally on board with the idea, I wanted to shoot these sessions with a high-fashion vibe as opposed to the traditional route that we have seen them coming. The other thing I wanted to do, to set my sessions apart from the traditional, was to make them CELEBRATION focused, instead of just birthdays! Getting divorced and feeling fabulous about it? Let's celebrate!! Graduated uni and feeling adulty?? CELEBRATE IT! Just feel like eating cake and not feel guilty about it?? CELEBRATE IT! We will customize your Sassy Celebration Session during your consultation and help you cover everything from styling to colors and set design! The other fun thing about these sessions? You can invite your friends! EEEEEE!!! Take a look at the shots from our promo shoot and then head over here to find out how to design your own celebration shoot! I got my stellar team together for the promo shoot and Lilli Csuk did the gorgeous makeup and Jill came out to play the part of our party girl!
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!