A Boudoir Client’s Reaction: “I Was in Utter Disbelief!”
We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Katie into our Elkridge, Maryland studio for a boudoir photoshoot. She initially booked the session to create a romantic wedding gift for her partner. But afterwards, she wrote to describe the emotional impact of the photos on her self-confidence. She allowed us to share her email in its entirety as an inspiration to others about embracing their true selves.
It’s not a secret that the vast majority of women experience issues with body image. From childhood, we are fed the idea that there is a “wrong” and a “right” body. In the age of social media, it is so easy to compare yourself to others. Even with the rise of body positivity and body neutrality movements, it’s not always easy to view yourself with love and confidence.
Katie felt comfortable and confident during her photoshoot.
Going into my shoot, I knew that there were parts of my body I was uncomfortable with and certain things I would be self conscious about. Regardless of how much I’ve tried, it can be so difficult to not judge clothes by how big or small they make you look, or to constantly try to take up less space in a photo. Though I’ve learned to love my body for so many reasons and have made so many strides in body positivity, I was so worried about how I would be able to view myself in this context.
I felt so confident in my shoot, but waiting for my photos to be ready, self doubt began to raise its ugly little head. How would my stomach look? Which insecurities would show? What if I look ridiculous? As the energy and confidence from the shoot wore off, the nerves creeped back up, and once Greg brought my slideshow over, I was so nervous about how I would feel seeing myself.
But then Greg hit play, and I was in utter disbelief. The worries and doubts washed away in an instant, the same way they did when I first stepped foot in the studio. As the photos played through, I was able to see myself in the way I’ve always hoped to, as confident and beautiful. The magic of the shoot translated beautifully to the photos, and I sat in awe and silence as my photos played through.
It was so strange, though I could hardly believe those photos were me, at the same time they truly captured my essence. This was me, without the worry and self doubt that usually creeps up. This was a me that loved her body, and was grateful for the space it took up. This was a me that embraced every part of myself, and whose confidence shined through the screen.
Katie was stunned by the true beauty she saw in herself.
I’m so used to immediately jumping to my “flaws” in a photo, immediately honing in on those insecurities, instantly rejecting photos because my stomach sticks out or my arms look too big, or whatever else my eye jumps to. This was truly the first time I looked at a picture and saw myself, not my insecurities, first.
But still, these pictures were me. Every unique part of myself was there, but instead of making me cringe, I could see the beauty. It felt like seeing myself through my partner’s eyes for the first time, the things he loves but I hate. I didn’t think a photoshoot could so suddenly and drastically change how I saw myself, but here I was seeing my body as truly beautiful for the first time - not because my figure was flattered or I looked small, but because I was me.
Don’t get me wrong, Greg absolutely knew how to pose me and get the absolute best angles, all the photos were extremely flattering. But here I was loving the parts of myself that I constantly shrink or hide. And here I was picking pictures that I loved because they were beautiful, not because my stomach looked flat or you couldn’t see my double chin.
I recently traveled to Italy, and visited many museums with the most beautiful sculptures and paintings of gorgeous, soft bodies. It’s so easy to admire this art, but hate those features on yourself. And yet, some of my absolute favorite photos from my shoot were pictures I never would’ve chosen of myself before. The curve of my stomach, just like The Birth of Venus in the Uffizi Gallery, or the soft rolls of my side, drawing me back to Venus Victrix in the Borghese Gallery. My photos are truly art to me.
Venus Victrix by Antonio Canova (1805–1808).
My journey towards body positivity is far from over, and I know I have a lot of progress to go. However, I’ll forever cherish these photos as a celebration of the beauty of my body, and know they will inspire me for years to come. Though I booked this shoot as a gift to my partner, the greatest gift was to myself and to my self confidence.
If you are on your own journey toward body positivity, please reach out to us. The time is now. Just be yourself!