Why Every Woman Should Do A StudioVixen Shoot...

27 years old, divorced with two kids, depressed, overweight at 217lb and just feeling like my life had come to a halt somewhere that I never thought I would be. I was not the person I wanted to be, this was not the life I had imagined for my two beautiful babies and I didn't know where to go from here. This was me two years ago.

Then I met a boudoir photographer who promised me he could shed me in a different light through his lens. Yeah right, right?! Dude's just trying to see naked chicks, right? WRONG! Here's how it went:

Before the shoot is scheduled,  we discuss what look we both have in mind for the shoot. This consisted of mostly his vision because I was still nervous about the whole thing. I was overweight, I had massive stretch  marks on my stomach and sides from my two pregnancies. I was still leery that he could change my self image, so I told him I would prefer something conservative and "pretty".

I arrived for my session and the studio was warm and comfortable and I was able to plug my ipod in so the music that makes me comfortable was playing. He was very professional; setting up his gear and discussing what we'd be doing. Before I knew it, we were shooting!

It took a while before I was able to completely let go, but it was almost like he was not there. He was sitting behind his camera messing with his settings, rearranging lights, and directing me to "put your arm up here, move your leg slightly to the left, look up at this corner". He was definitely not a "dude with a camera" but a very professional photographer who was understanding of what my insecurities were and still maked me feel comfortable to be in nothing but lace panties and bra, without overcompensating also.

We finished my first session and all I could think about is what he was going to come up with for a final product. I was officially hooked at this point! I didn't do the shoot for a magazine, to print, or even to give to a man in my life. I did this for me and it was intoxicating!  So.....six months later we did another! 

With this one, I had a vision. I was starting my weight loss journey and I wanted to do something soft and beautiful BEFORE I started seeing results. I wanted to incorporate more artistic nude aspects into this session and I was feeling MUCH less self-conscious. From the first session, I had learned to embrace my body's curves and I wanted to show those curves off in a beautiful and artistic way. I wanted to show that you don't have to be a model or stick thin to be portrayed in a beautiful light. I have to say that this session was MUCH more rewarding for me. I felt beautiful for months afterwards! It still amazes me what the shoot was able to accomplish for my self esteem by showing me how beautiful a woman's body (no matter the shape, size or texture) can be. 

This photo was actually reported by someone on Facebook as offensive and we were forced to remove it! That was a proud moment for me. I've been taught that you have only succeeded when you get a response from your photos, whether that be a good response or a bad one. If I made such an impression on one (or multiple) people that Facebook actually required us to delete it, I am doing SOMETHING right here! I personally think this is the most amazing photo ever taken of me. I still plan on hanging this in my home somewhere. It's beautiful.

Completely nude, yet modest and beautiful. 

And finally, we discovered what is required to get my "sexy eyes" to shine through....glaring sunlight! 

So ladies....I am sharing these very personal photos with you for a purpose. Boudoir photography is more than objectifying women and getting naked in front of a camera. Yes, it's great to do a session for your special someone, but I found it most rewarding to do it for MYSELF. My self image has drastically changed and I have more respect for myself as a person. I am strong, I am beautiful, I am worthy...no matter what others may think...and so are YOU! I challenge you to open yourself up to the idea and book a session and see what it can do for your self-image. And don't just book one session. Do another...and another! As you can see from my progression, it's so much easier and more comfortable after each session and you'll be amazed at how you feel about yourself after each one.