Why I Shoot Boudoir
Imagine this, little Sam right out of college with this great degree in photography & no job. Lucky for me, I landed a great job with a photo studio right after graduation. What I thought would be a walk in the park, turned into 400 Seniors a year, 1000s of Baseball teams & Dance schools with lots of different people, places and no control over what I wanted to show in my photography.
Fast forward to 2016, I was gearing up for my own wedding and didn't know what to do for my soon to be husband. He is a man of few needs and I really wanted to surprise him. So I did my own Boudoir session. I scheduled it months in advance, got all of the outfits, and told no one where I was going. I was literally shaking I was so nervous. We started shooting & I started to relax. We laughed as I did poses that would make me sore the next day. The whole time, it was like a light bulb going off. WHY AM I NOT SHOOTING THIS????? It was so much fun. Also, I loved getting to work just one on one with another woman. It was so relaxing and freeing. Needless to say, on our wedding night, my husband LOVED the outcome & still looks at the photos.
The Transformation!
Since opening up my studio, I knew that I wanted to share that feeling with other women. I saw how much it boosted my confidence and I couldn't wait to share that with others. Sure, I still have issues with my body and with my image. I struggle just like every women to see myself & my true beauty. But I also know how to change that around for myself. I turn on my favorite workout music and do a little boxing. It gets me in that I'm Sexy, Strong & Confident stage in no time. That's what I see happening with the women that come into the studio. Everywoman starts off nervous and a little scared. We are asking you to step way outside of your comfort zone. We laugh, cry and sass each other. By the time the session has ended, I see each women walk out with a new spring in their step & smile on their face. They confidence is glowing out of them.
YEP! That's ME!
In March of 2017, after just 6 months of marriage, my life forever changed. I had started having a lot of problems with my joints. At first we thought it was just some weird back injury. We found that I had 2 compressed disc in my back. We also found that my ALA levels were high in my blood stream. I had no idea what that meant. Then 2 weeks later, I woke up & couldn't move my hands. It was terrifying. After many weeks of pain, test and tears, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. It started a long road of medicines, blood test and trails that we worked through. I didn't know how I was going to shoot anymore with so much pain in my hands and legs.
But, as they say, the Lord works in mysterious ways. We were able to find the right meds to get me back to normal. I was also able to get pregnant & give birth to a beautiful baby girl. So many changes have happened to my body that it is hard to wrap my head around. Boudoir has let me show every women that you are beautiful in your own skin no matter what changes have happened.
I still struggle with my body some days but I start to look back and think about what this body had done for me. I have ran 5 half marathons, lost 40lbs, had a baby, & battled RA. I am proud of this body & what it has done. That's what I aim to show every woman during their session. Let me show you your sparkle. Let me see you shine.
Want to Show your Sparkle?
Photo Credit: Crystal Bandy of Captivate Boudoir & Matthew Struemph
