“Do it… Do it… A thousand times DO IT!” – Madison, WI Boudoir Photographer

 

What is your age? 43

What do you do for a living? Corporate Trainer

What made you decide to book a boudoir shoot?
Like lots of women, I struggle with body image issues. When I look in the mirror I think about all the parts of me that I wish I could change rather than loving my body for what it is today. My main reason for booking a boudoir shoot was so that I could see myself through someone else’s lens- and hopefully seeing the beautiful, sexy, lovely woman that other people tell me is there.
Spoiler alert– Mission accomplished!

Did you have any fears going into your session?
Fears? You’re kidding, right? Yes– I had fears… 🙂
Sweaty palm, sick to your stomach fears. Afterall, I’m no model! I was afraid I would be too fat, too awkward, too old and saggy, what if he doesn’t like the pictures… What if I don’t like the pictures… the list goes on.

How was the actual session different from what you expected (if at all)?
I thought I would be more nervous about taking the pictures themselves. But, Jolene has a way of putting you at ease right from the start of your session. I was so impressed about how effortlessly we went from talking about my ‘why’ to taking beautiful pictures. I was also very surprised at how beautiful and sexy I felt throughout the shoot.

What was your favorite part of the entire experience? (hair and makeup, the shoot, image reveal, giving the images etc..)
If I could say all of it, I would… but if I had to pick one thing, it would be the image reveal. I’ve heard before that boudoir sessions can be transformative experiences, but I don’t think I fully understood what people meant by that until the image reveal. When Jolene told me that she was going to put the images up on the screen, I’m pretty sure my heart stopped for a moment– partly in excitement, because I wanted to see the images we created; and partly in fear, because I’m not interested in seeing myself on a big screen 🙂
But when the first image came up, my heart stopped again. I have never seen myself as a beautiful, sexy, lovely person and that first image challenged everything I thought I knew about my body.

How has the response been to your images?
I just got the images, so I haven’t shared them with anyone else yet, but I can’t take my eyes off of them!! It’s like the image reveal all over again!!
I really can’t wait to see the reaction my boyfriend has to them, so to be continued 🙂

What is your advice for women interested in a boudoir experience?
Do it… Do it… A thousand times DO IT!!!! I mean it! Your mind has been lying to you and you aren’t of the “too”‘s you think you are (too old, fat, thin, etc.). You won’t regret it!

Did anything change about the way you see your own beauty as a result of your experience?
I think it’s a journey. I mentioned before that this boudoir session was life changing, and I mean that. I have never had an experience that made me feel more beautiful and sexy. But that’s not to say that it fixed every body issue I’ve ever had. I’m excited that I took the chance to have this experience, and have made a commitment to myself that when I start to have those negative thoughts when I look in the mirror, I’ll pull out my images and remind myself that I’m a sexy, beautiful chick with a rockin’ body– curves and all 🙂