The Phoenix Has Risen
A new year a new you! How many times have you heard or said that phrase? New Year’s is a time when people are filled with hope of new opportunities and belief that change can happen for them. Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes to new life, a new year gives us the feeling that all things are possible if we start them today.
In the fall of 2015 I met some amazing women while re-branding my business to highlight women’s portraiture. Each woman came to me with a different reason for having her photo taken. I have been told by clients that the feelings they have at the end of their session and after they have seen their photos make them see themselves differently. They feel empowered, confident and beautiful. Today I would like to share a blog recently written by one of those women on her blog site Desirable Phoenix.
Boudoir or Not to Boudoir
The word, boudoir, is French. It means a women’s private room or bedroom. But, in a photography sense, boudoir is using a bedroom, hotel or intimate setting that is used to create or capture classy and romantic images.
I had previously heard of boudoir photo shoots, but I had yet to be a part of them. I began modeling for a friend, who captured more risque images … As a photographer, my husband had the opportunity to shoot boudoir with a woman who was turning 40 and wanted to get images done of herself! At that point, I knew I wanted to do one as well, but the time had never opened up to do so.
Around September or October of 2015, a friend of mine posted about a contest her mother was having. She was re-branding her photography business and wanted to run a new campaign. It just so happened that it was a glamour/boudoir shoot and she was looking for four models. Although they lived in Connecticut, I decided that it was worth a shot and worth the drive to get a free photo shoot. I went on her website and entered the contest. A couple weeks before the shoot was to take place, I received a phone call from Marilyn Riel, owner and photographer at Menagerie Photography. She explained to me that I had won one of the spot. I was so surprised that I had to know why. She told me that she liked what I put in my description of why I’d be a good model for the photo shoot.
I was so excited, that I made a weekend of the trip of it!
Before the shoot, we laughed and I cried and shared my thoughts about myself and my image. At the time of this shoot, I was struggling with my thoughts of what sexy looked like on me and how I felt. You may even look at these photos and see my petite body and think, “She’s beautiful”, or “She has a wonderful shape”, or “I wish I was her size”, but the reality is I had and still have some insecurities about my body and how I want it to look. Even doing the risque photo shoots did not make me feel like the boudoir shoot made me feel.
I felt vulnerable, and I felt sexy! It was a very powerful and personal experience. Unlike any other that I have had. After the photo shoot, I felt like I knew a little more about my sexy and what “type” I fell under.
Feeling and being sexy is not about what other people think of you, but what you think of yourself. No matter how you look: thick, skinny, fat, curvy, petite, or plus-sized, your sexy is determined by how you feel about yourself.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat!! Would I suggest it to other women? Absolutely!!
In the long run, you will thank yourself that this was something you did. It may not be as awakening as it was for me… but what if it is? Do you really want to miss out?
Stay Blessed
Lady Lynn”
It is hard to put into words how proud I am of the strides this woman has made in finding herself and in opening up to share her challenges and victories with others. I can tell you about what I do or why I do it but to have a woman share her feelings with others about HER experience with me, truly brings me to tears every time I read it.
Thank you “Lady Lynn” for sharing your story and letting me know that all the hard work and hours spent preparing, shooting and editing each session is so worth it!
To read more blogs from Lady Lynn go to Desirable Phoenix.
As for me in 2017…
My goal is to shoot 100 women before January 1st 2018.
I would love to meet you, do a session with you, and show you how absolutely beautiful you are.
Why are you waiting to have an amazing experience for yourself?
Call me today to meet, have coffee and plan a day you will always remember.
Happy New Year!!
If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.
If you have dreamed of having a photo-shoot that is all about you, call me to set up a complimentary consultation. You can see the studio and we can talk over coffee about how you want to be photographed. To make that happen, just click to book below! Is it a long trip to visit the studio? We’ve photographed women from all over the eastern part of the country including New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Feel free to contact us and set up a special phone consultation! And, as you now know, Gift Certificates are available.
