Meet Regan, one of our Glambassadors, chosen for her exciteable personality, care for others, and passion for empowering the women in her life. This babe's energy is so incredibly infectious and when she came to her shoot she came ready to kill it. I am sure there were some nerves there, of course, but she hid them pretty well and during her session we unleashed her babeliness. But I won't chat too long...I want you to hear how SHE felt during the experience!
"I really didn't believe I was good enough,pretty enough or thin enough,not tall enough to have a photographer believe that I was.
My experience with Teri was amazing. I come off confident but I was scared of what the outcome was going to be.
I am sooo comfortable taking pictures of myself but I've never had a female photographer take pictures of me before so I didn't know nor was prepared if there was going to be judging.
Right before our session I explained to Teri that I'm not very good at taking directions very well and there she was, Jedi mind fucking me lol. (meaning she was fine at taking my directions) Slowly as the camera started clicking I came to believe that I was at party and didn't want it to end. I so wanna party again!!
Paige {Pittsburgh Travel Diaries} ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photography
Miss Paige came up before, when I had done my post on Taco-ternity and my ode to my tum, but our session together was something special. Paige and I had first met in San Fran and immediately clicked. This woman has the most beautiful heart and soul and cares for everyone beyond measure. She may seem all heart, but this babe is also full of sass. Paige is a fierce model as well as an awesome photographer and sometimes I don't think she understands just how phenomenal she is once the camera is turned on her, but she comes to life when she talks about her clients and the women she helps overcome body image issues, in a similar fashion to me. She embraces her curves, she openly accepts her *gasp* double chin, and she works hard to help women reach the same level of acceptance with their bodies. What better way, though, than having your own photo shoot done to showcase your love for your bod in all it's beauty? Also, funny story, while we were so excited to do the water shoots, I don't think Paige was expecting to get waterboarded....I accidentally pressed too hard on the hose and almost drowned the poor girl! Anyhow, read about her experience being on the other side of the camera below:
As a boudoir photographer, myself, I've been fangirl stalking Teri for a while now, probably close to a year or so! When I got to meet her and work with her in San Francisco this Spring for Denise Birdsong's Stripped Down Retreat I was giddy. When we hit it off as friends, though I was ecstatic! 
It's rare as a photographer to find other photographers that you can just chat with openly about ideas, about experiences, about being a plus size babe that wants to help empower other plus size babes. No crazy competition, no insane jealousy or cattiness. Don't believe me? Step into one of the more dramatic Facebook groups geared toward photographers. Unless you're a big, well-known name- it's easy to feel lost or like your value is less-than those around you. Teri has more creativity and talent in her little finger than most dream of having their entire lives. But never once has she made me feel less-than. Instead, she's inspired me to go the extra mile, be the extra support to my friends and clients, to give the extra compliments to strangers, and to just be an all-around better version of me. She's an overwhelming force of empowerment and positivity that effects everyone in her path! 
Teri, myself and our amazing friend Stephanie Wells (The Girlfriend Experience Boudoir) got pretty close over our weekend in San Francisco. While there, we planned a trip for Teri and I to visit with Stephanie in Pittsburgh over the summer where we would photograph a couple of model clients and take turns photographing each other.
I've been photographed by other boudoir photographers. Each experience is completely different than the last. Being a very plus size woman, a size 24, and knowing that Teri specialized in posing and photographing plus size bodies- I was beyond excited to be photographed by her! I was actually less nervous to be photographed by her than I was to photograph my two photographer friends that I look up to so much. Teri has this way of talking to you about your body in a way that makes you feel completely at ease. 
Girl had me nekkid in less than 10 minutes! Let me tell you, getting nekkid was NOT on my list of things to do in Pittsburgh!
To say I was a little nervous about seeing some of the images (especially the nude ones or ones without a fully supportive bra) would be the understatement of the year. I've always thought I carried myself with a decent amount of confidence. But, when I found myself naked and vulnerable in front of Teri's camera, I actually found that I had been hiding all of (what I considered) my flaws and insecurities behind cleverly placed crops and specifically-fitted wardrobe. I had accepted my body, but had never really embraced it up until then. 
I had accepted that my boobs weren't sitting perky like they did before I had experienced 2 full pregnancies and lost 3 others. I had accepted that I have a fat belly and extra skin, I had accepted that my body is dimpled and scarred in places that I don't want it to be. All of those things I could cover up and carry on with my life and pretend like they don't exist and be confident in the appearance I was presenting to the world. But on that day- I embraced those things that I usually try to hide. And you know what? It was beautiful.
I felt free.
Teri sent the images over and there were tears. Over and over. I had never seen those parts of my body in all their naked glory and felt anything but disgust and hate. Is that me? That is me! All of the little pieces that I've picked at for 28 years were laid out in front of me, and you know what? I didn't hate them. I actually loved them. Those are some of my favorite images I've ever seen of myself because they're me, they're real. My perfect imperfections and all.
I don't know if I'll ever be able to repay Teri for the gift she gave to me that day, but I know I'm glad that fate had us cross paths and become friends. 
Do you want to feel free? Are you ready to stop using size, shape or any body excuse and embrace where you are right now in this one life you are given? If so, send me a message and let's sit down for a chat to see if we are a good fit for each other!
She had only been naked in front of 3 people before ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photography
Miss B came to visit me while she was visiting Winnipeg and this magenta-haired maven flew into my studio with outfits just as saucy as she. Her session was to be part therapy and part fun for her due to a bunch of life changes that had been happening and we wanted to revive the sassy babe I knew she was. Miss B has quite the life story and while it is hers to share, all I can say is I was impressed to be in the same room as someone with such strong conviction, fight, and ability to try to do the right thing no matter how difficult it may seem. She fights for others with a fiery passion and I wanted that same fire to come through in her images. Take a look below at this gorgeous woman (who is now back home in Vancouver):
"This was exactly what I needed at the time I needed it. Teri and Nicole were great at making me feel secure and very sexy! I left feeling exhausted and exhilarated at the same time!
Teri's direction was outstanding from beginning to end. Make up, hair, outfits, poses and the "big reveal" were so bang on!! Thank you for a fabulous experience! I want to do it all again next year!!
If you go to Teri, there is nothing to be afraid of! This comes from a woman who has only been naked in front of three people as an adult!
Miss B left with a pep in her step and I cannot wait to see this exuberant beauty again! She totally rocked her session and even gave in to some of her fears to show off parts of herself very few people have had the privilege to see. I consider it an honor, Miss B.
Are you ready to celebrate your own ferocity and magic? If so, hit the contact button up at the top and shoot me an email!! We only have a few sessions left this year, but am starting to book up for 2018!!
The Tapestry of Her Life's Story ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photography
I consider Miss S to be a good friend in addition to an awesome client. I mean, this babe will literally go to the ends of the world for the people in her life...who doesn't want someone like that in their life?? Well, we were supposed to do maternity photos for her, but if you remember the time I had someone go into labor while they were in hair and makeup, then you will be happy to know it was Miss S and the baby that arrived about 4 hours after we sent her to the hospital is Mr. T (above). Miss S came to my studio to paint my wall for me (because my attention to detail is shit and she showed up with her own professional brush!) so in exchange she was the first babe photographed on the wall and since she was a new mom, we also had Mr. T join us for the occasion. I literally never have babies in my studio during a session, but this was a bit different because we wanted to document something different.This is the season of her life now. Just when we would get into a sexy pose, Mr. would cry for his momma (he was hungry) and while we tried to continue, it was easier to stop and feed him, but during this time we also got some of my favorite photos of forever. For Miss S's shoot, this time around (she had done a shoot with me the year prior when I was in Vegas), I wanted her acknowledge her mom bod and really see it for what it was so I only lightly edited the images. I wanted to showcase her swelling breasts which provide sustenance to her baby, I wanted to show her the amazingness that is the body's ability to inflate and deflate, growing life while doing so. I wanted to show her that motherhood doesn't mean a lack of sexiness, it means a change in mind as to what sexy is. I wanted her to see that her body, while different, is a wonderful thing that is capable of so, so much (including climbing a 10ft ladder without falling off!!). Lastly, I wanted her to see that this is a new season of her life and her body is being used in a different fashion that it was before. Right now, it may seem like it's no longer hers, but the purpose of providing life and sustenance to her little dude seems to be a pretty important task...to add the task of fitting into "societal beauty standards" and the "yummy mummy bod" would be rude. She is beautiful, gorgeous, and changed from the experience of having a child. Miss S wrote her own experiences in her blog here , explaining that she finally feels "at home" in her body!! I highly recommend checking it out!
Her body is not ruined, it has evolved.Her body is not ruined, it is a map of the terrain her body weathered while growing a life, giving birth, and continuing to feed. The blue rivers stretch to feed her baby, the shallow valleys of her skin tell the story of her body's journey, and mountain ridges of scar tissue while red now, will eventually erode, falling into the tapestry of her life's story.Her body is not ruined.
{This was the moment when Mr T decided to poo all over his momma's arm.}
She Got Her Shit Together ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photographer
Miss J came to me ready to have some epic fun for the weekend and FUN was definitely what we had. This woman has overcome a lot and still has a smile that doesn't quit and the most adventurous spirit I have seen in quite some time! For her session, Miss J brought some outfits, but she was also up for playing with what we had in the studio...I don't think she knew what she was in for when she let myself and her bestie pick out her outfit....in any case, I am going to let Miss J tell you about her experience with us because while it was fun, it was a lot more than JUST fun and photos for her.
"The past few years have been difficult, 2 years ago I was dealing with an alcoholic husband, stressed the max, didn't know where my life was heading and having to make really hard decisions that would effect me and my children for the rest of our lives.
I finally chose happiness and left him. It took me a while to get my shit together, but finally did. Financially, mentally, emotionally. I booked this session as I am finally happy again. I finally found my spark again, fell in love with myself again.
This session was a treat for me as I deserve to be celebrated! I look at my images daily and see a gorgeous, strong woman. Thanks Teri for capturing my inner goddess, Roar!"
And ROAR she did!! Miss J it was immense pleasure and hopefully we will cross paths again (perhaps when your bestie Miss D is ready to feel like the fox she is)! If you want to channel your inner goddess, inner tigress, and overall reunite with your spark again, hit me up with an email and wait no more!