Mrs. S's experience: From Fear to Freedom: How Boudoir Photography Helped Me Rediscover My Confidence and Beauty

My pictures have all arrived and I just simply can not stop looking at them. Now that the process is complete I'd like to take a minute to express just what this experience has been for me.

First, I love the look of boudoir photos. They always seem so classy, elegant, and fun. It's forever been something that I wanted to do, but when the opportunity arrived I almost didn't go through with it.

I've spent almost 40 yrs hiding my body. Gaining weight so as to not be noticed or wanted. I learned early on that being sexy and desirable was formidable. That being a girl was dangerous. I've always saw myself as "girl next door" cute, with occasional pretty days. Ive never felt or wanted to be beautiful.

My wife has spent decades trying to help me see myself, the way she sees me. So when this opportunity knocked she encouraged me to do this for myself. To finally take a moment just for me. Little did either of us know just how hard this journey was going to be for me.

My very first conversation with you I felt so excited, I was thinking about how fun this would be, and then I hung up the phone and the fear set in. I spent days crying in the shower. Feelings and memories I thought I had long ago buried came rushing in and shook me. I spent weeks wondering how on earth I was going to bring myself to actually relax enough to let you take my pictures.

My wife did her best to ease my panic. She set the task of shopping first. If I could just find outfits I felt comfortable in all would be ok. The packages arrived and I almost called you to cancel the shoot. After being talked off the ledge, more shopping entailed. This time with a better vision of what I wanted. Over the next 2 weeks I drove myself and my wife to the brink of drinking. Every time I thought, I can do this, the fears came back and I just wanted to cancel it all.

The morning of the shoot my wife kissed me and pushed me out of the car, telling to relax and have fun. As I reached to knock on your door I again almost turned and ran, but something said not to, I deserved to put my past and my fear away. From the moment I stepped through your door my whole world has flipped upside down. You were warm and friendly and inviting. My hair and makeup process was fun when I spun around and looked in the mirror, wow! I took a deep breath and thought, ok here we go. I'm sure that I wasn't the easiest of ladies to work with but you did an amazing job at helping me to relax and let myself have fun. The process was less sexy and more technical than I expected, which for me was what allowed me to enjoy it.

As the day went I found myself actually having fun and enjoying it all.

Then came the moment to actually see the pictures. I don't know that I will ever have the words to express what I saw, but I can tell you how they make me feel. Beautiful, stunning, sexy, elegant, and most of all free. They look like everything I've always wanted to feel! I saw, for the first time in my life, what my wife sees when she looks at me. To say that I have found a new kind of confidence is an understatement. I feel bold and powerful and flirty and fun. I feel worthy.

I've displayed my photos in my home in places that I will see everyday! In places that visitors to my home will see. I want them to remind me everyday that I Am Beautiful. Remind me that I am brave, and strong. Remind me that I have the power and no one will ever take that from me.

Thank you for doing what you do and making such a positive and life changing impact on my life!!

3 Proven Steps to Silence Your Inner Critic and Embrace Confidence with Boudoir Photography, Even if You've Never Felt Beautiful Before

I feel so strongly about the transformative power of boudoir that I wrote a book. It’s a little bit about me, a lot about the ladies I’ve served over the years, and tips to help you heal your own self-image.

I never felt like any of the other girls growing up.  I was sure there was fundamentally wrong with me. 

I stood in front of the mirror, the bathroom light casting a soft, unforgiving glow. My reflection staring back at me, eyes filled with doubts and insecurities that seemed all too familiar. 

I could see it all — the imperfections, the flaws, the little things that I'd always been so critical of. A tinge of sadness lingered in my eyes, reflecting not just my image but the image countless women see when they look at themselves. The surroundings seemed cold, impersonal, a stark contrast to the warmth I tried to feel.

I lamented my widening hips, pinching the flesh across my mid-section.  I didn’t have a flat tummy.  My thunder thighs had their own zip code. My hair was coarse and frizzy, and I had this weird-ass haircut because my mom didn’t like me cutting my own hair, and I had to get it cut at the salon again.  I wouldn’t let my hairstylist cut any layers in it because I was determined to grow it all out again. I looked like a bad bowl cut gone wrong.  

READ MORE 👇🏻…

Discover the power of self-love and self-acceptance with Boudoir Revival. This book offers a transformative path to understanding your own self-worth and embracing your unique beauty. Whether you're seeking to boost your self-confidence, rekindle your self-love, or simply be inspired by empowering stories, this book will help you find the courage to reclaim your beauty.

In Boudoir Revival, you'll discover the secret to a life-changing transformation:

- Real-life case studies of women who experienced life-changing transformations through boudoir sessions.
- Practical tips and advice for building self-confidence and fostering self-love in your everyday life.
- Heartfelt narratives that resonate and inspire, reminding you that your journey to self-acceptance is both valid and beautiful.

Plus, get inspiring stories, actionable advice, and powerful strategies to boost your self-confidence and foster self-love.

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Secrets of Self-Love Unveiled: My Personal Story

YM was my favorite magazine growing up.  I read them all of course:  Glamour, Vogue, Elle, etc.

I stared at the beautiful models on the glossy pages.  Their hair was either elaborately coiffed, or that seemingly perfectly imperfect bed-head look.  They were tall, thin, and flawless. In. Every. Single. Magazine.

I was 14 years old and started popping Dexatrim tablets.  For you young folk reading this, Dexatrim was an appetite suppressant.  I was just starting to “fill in” and I had internalized what we all do: thin is socially acceptable. To be otherwise meant being ugly.

I started skipping breakfast, and weighing myself daily. My girlfriends at school did it too, and the topic of weight and calories was always a regular discussion. Our was  worth was directly tied to the number on the scale and the size of our clothes.

By the time I reached my early twenties, after divorcing an abusive spouse and gaining weight, I stopped wearing shorts. If I was at the pool, I always wore a t-shirt or cover-up, sometimes leaving it on even in the pool.

I hated letting my partner touch my stomach, and would instinctively suck it in if his hand grazed my mid-section.

My path to self-love didn’t come until years later.  I dieted my way to a size 4, and have since gained it all back and then some.

In that time, I got my first professional pin up photos done, did some acting and modeling, and decided I wanted to bring those good feelings to other women.  I learned my craft, and realized I was not only helping heal their self-image, but also my own.

That’s not to say that I don’t still struggle.  I’ll catch myself saying something mean about myself or my size, and know that nothing positive comes from that.  It’s not constructive, and if anything, is destructive. Words have power and we say something out loud, we give it even more power.

The journey to self-love was not easy. It required challenging the negative thoughts and beliefs I had held for years. I started practicing self-compassion and mindfulness, gradually shifting my focus from my appearance to my inner qualities and talents. I surrounded myself with positive influences and began appreciating my body for all the amazing things it could do, rather than how it looked.

I no longer felt the need to hide or shrink away from the world. I embraced activities I had previously avoided, such as going to the beach or wearing clothes that showcased my personality.

I realized that my worth was not determined by my appearance but by my kindness, empathy, and the impact I had on others. I accept that nobody is perfect, and imperfections are what make us human and unique.

Instead of obsessing over calorie counts and dress sizes, I focus on nourishing my body with wholesome foods and engaging in physical activities that brought me joy. Exercise has become  a celebration of what my body can do, rather than a punishment for not meeting certain standards.

Finding self-love also affected my relationships. I surrounded myself with people who celebrated me for who I was, not for my appearance. I let go of toxic friendships that perpetuated negative body image ideals and chose to build meaningful connections based on genuine support and acceptance.

I encourage you to join my VIP group of like-minded women:

And if you’re wanting to delve deeper into the self-love experience, click below to sign up to be notified for my 6 week self-love transformation class.

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Indulge Your Senses at the Skin Art Show: A Feast for the Eyes, Palate, and Soul

Need a sexy night out?

I've got just the event for you:  Skin Art Show at The Art Institute in Tampa.  

Me AND my art will be there Friday and Saturday July 14 & 15, and I'd love to see you there. 

Food, wine, and live entertainment are secondary reasons to come.  🤣😉

You can get tickets for half off for Saturday night attendance through Creative Loafing.  

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Transform Your Body Image in 30 Days with my FREE challenge!

According to a study done by Park Nicollet Melrose Center, 80% of women hate their bodies. The media, societal expectations, even the teachings of our mothers may have led us to believe our bodies will never be "just right". It's a painful cycle, but I’m here to help you break free.

Join my 30-day self-love challenge and let's rewrite the narrative! Each day, you'll complete a simple task that encourages a healthier, more loving relationship with your body.

It's a path filled with simple daily tasks that will empower you to see yourself in a whole new light! 🌟

And guess what? By completing this transformative challenge, you'll not only learn to love yourself, but also earn a $500 credit good towards certain products in my collections.  These photos will capture the beautiful and confident YOU that's been there all along! 📸

Let's take the first step towards body acceptance, self-love, and self-confidence together.  Sign up for the 30-day self love challenge today!

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