I finally was able to photograph the associate photographer at Embrace Boudoir & Glamour, Danielle Doran. I had a mentoring session scheduled that morning and she requested a plus size model, and I instantly thought of Danielle. She is stunning, and confident. She was the PERFECT model. As I posed her & looked at the back of the camera at the images I was capturing, I was in awe. THESE photos will be magical. THESE photos will empower plus size women. THESE are the photos that I want to represent my brand and my entire mission... EVERY BODY IS A GOOD BODY. EMBRACE YOUR BEAUTY. The following is all in Danielle's words.. So being a photographer I feel like we often forget what it’s like to be on the other side of the camera. It’s been forever since I’ve had someone else take my photos. So when Katie asked if I would model for her, my first initial reaction was a mixture of emotion. I was excited, and scared shitless. I’m a fat (yes, FAT!) girl. I have scars. Stretch marks. ROLLS. Cellulite. Pcos (hello hobbit feel and random weird patches of body hair!) how could I MAKE myself attractive in 4 days, from when she asked me to do the shoot, to actually doing the shoot!?! I couldn’t. Because I already WAS. And I just needed to be reminded of that. We look in the mirror and see one thing but other people see something COMPLETELY different. Coming into the studio was obviously a familiar feeling for me but that day, it was different. “Is this how my clients feel? Wow. This makes so much sense.” Of course I knew how people felt, but there’s a weird different level of vulnerability you feel when you know you’re going to be striped down to your undies and or, naked in front of someone. Even with it being someone you know and trust. I was happy to be greeted by familiar faces. Our one makeup artist, Faith, had came in to do my hair and makeup for the session and I couldn’t of been happier. I’ve watched her work on tons and tons of clients and it was finally MY turn to have her work on me! I wanted to be surprised so sitting in the chair while Faith worked on my face and hair and NOT looking in the gigantic mirror across from me was SO HARD but... so incredibly WORTH it!! We wanted something fun and different to the typical Smokey eye look people want, and let me tell you, Faith knocked it out of the damn park. Not only was it a unique look but it was well done, not so bizarre that it wasn’t me and it didn’t take away from my natural beauty but ENHANCED it. After faith was done with my hair and makeup it was time to slip into some lingerie. Katie helped me pick out a cute grey romper from the model closet and narrowed down the clothing I brought as well to what we would use for the session. I put on the romper for the second time that day and stared in the mirror for a moment, I was honestly surprised by how I looked. But a good surprised. I took a deep breath and walked out into the studio. I was greeted by Katie and Heather with tons of compliments and praise. I hopped on the bed and waited to Katie’s instructions. The first few minutes were super nerve wracking for me, I knew the typical positions but my mind went blank on how to do them. Katie instructed me on how to move and as the first couple of poses passed I felt more and more comfortable. Plus all the compliments helped a bit too! (Lol) The session honestly felt like it flew by, we tried a few more outfits and had a lot of laughs together. All in all it was super enjoyable and a comfortable experience. When I got home I had a few sneak peeks waiting for me. I was hesitant to open the message at first, what if I hated them? What if I looked fatter than I was? I took another deep breath. I opened them. My jaw hit the floor. And it hasn’t left since! I was STUNNED. I kept saying to myself “that isn’t me. Nope not me. I’m not THAT beautiful. Nope. Can’t be true.” But it WAS me. I AM that beautiful. And it WAS true. The posing was classy. The tones were perfect. My fat rolls were fucking GORGEOUS! I never felt so beautiful. I never have seen myself that way. I fell in love with myself again. And again. And again. With each new photo it was literally love at first sight over and over again. Yup. I said it. I’m FAT. I LOVE myself. And? I’m happy. I saw myself reflected as how other people see me through heather and Katie’s lenses. Not some weird gross ogre that I see myself as but a strong and confident women and that’s what makes me beautiful. I just needed someone to show me what I feel on the inside IS reflected on my outside, and Katie and Heather did that. Are you ready to feel empowered? Book with Embrace Boudoir & Glamour!
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