WHY DID YOU WANT TO DO A BOUDOIR SHOOT?

I wanted to do a boudoir shoot for so many reasons, but one of the biggest was to show my body love and appreciation for my own sake.

Like most women, I have an often fraught relationship with my body. Like many others, I struggle with insecurities born of not meeting some near impossible, ever shifting ideal of beauty; I have struggled with the loss of a sense of ownership and domain over my own body from others taking liberties and I have struggled with a loss of a sense of control when chronic pain flare ups have stopped me in my tracks. But somewhere along the way I decided that the only way through those struggles was to make an effort to love my body, not resent it for what it isn't or how others see it.

Day to day I try to love my body by taking care of it the best I can physically, emotionally and spiritually. Booking a boudoir session was a big act of love for my body. Boudoir has always seemed to me an art form that celebrates all bodies and I wanted to give myself that gift. After all, this body has gotten me through my first 31 years, the end of a 10 year relationship, a global pandemic and all manner of challenges big and small and with any luck, it will get me through many more years and adventures yet - so what's not to celebrate there?

I also wanted to do a boudoir shoot because I think there is something a little subversive about taking and having sexy photos of yourself for your own sake. Women's sexuality is often commodified by society and yet shamed when pursued for our own pleasure or sake. To celebrate and show off my body and to choose how those images are shared seemed like a small act of defiance and self-love against that societal shame.

HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE DURING YOUR SESSION?

My experience during the session was incredible! . Getting all vamped up pampered with Cassandra doing my hair and makeup before the shoot helped me tap into my comfort and confidence.

Posing was maybe my biggest concern in booking a boudoir session, like many people I'm not naturally comfortable in front of a camera, I don't know how to "find my light" and if I have a good side, I sure don't know it! These concerns were quickly put at ease because during the shoot Samantha gave really clear instructions for all the poses and her feedback throughout made me feel excited about the shots she was getting. With Samantha's guidance and feedback I was able to really just let loose and trust her and the process and I'm so glad I did!

HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU SAW YOUR IMAGES FOR THE FIRST TIME?

Based on how I felt during the shoot I was SO excited to see my images. Despite being a typically fairly insecure person, I actually had no apprehension about whether they were going to turn out great, I was sure that I was going to love them.

As confident as I was, I was still blown away to actually see the images. They were stunning - I was stunning. It was a pure delight to see myself as Samantha captured me and I will cherish these photos for the rest of my life.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE EXPERIENCE TO OTHER WOMEN?

If I could give every woman this experience I would!

It has been transformative for me, it has bolstered my confidence and been another step on the path of healing how I see myself and my body. I am so glad to have these images and I fully expect that I will be doing another boudoir shoot in the future.