“I need to lose 10lbs before I do a boudoir shoot”

This is, hands down, the LAMEST excuse I hear from women. I know deep down they really want to have this experience for themselves, but are stuck feeling like they need to be ‘perfect’ in order to deserve it.

Over the last year, I have been working really hard on becoming comfortable in my body and letting go of pointless expectations. Allowing myself the opportunity to feel content, just as I am, has been life changing for me. It’s true what they say; feeling good is an inside job.

Let me tell you though, it’s one thing to look in the mirror and feel good, but it’s a whole ‘nother thing to put it out for the world to see. I’ll admit, sharing these before/after images makes me feel REALLY EFFING UNCOMFORTABLE!! In fact I almost backed out of posting this, but decided that I needed to lead by example and remove the fear, shame and judgement of my own ‘imperfect’ body.

If I can do it, so can you.

Do you think the person in the unretouched photo isn’t worthy of feeling good about herself because she’s got a little jiggle, and even though she wants to, hasn’t quite mastered loving her body just the way it is?

Is she less worthy of feeling empowered in her body and her sexuality because she had a few bites of cake for lunch? (it was vegan chocolate…basically vegetables anyway)

No?

So why should you feel like YOU aren’t worthy?

When I shoot, I adjust the angle, lighting, and pose to get as close as possible to nailing the shot in-camera. After the shoot, I use retouching techniques to smooth out body lines and enhance highlights and shadows to put the focus on your gorgeous features. Your images will still look like you, on your best day.

I wanted to share these before and afters of myself to show you what’s possible. I tucked in my tum, smoothed my skin and edited out the side fold that happens when you arch your back.

I retouched my images to align with the version of myself that I see in the mirror. 

Stop telling yourself that you need to lose weight in order to ‘earn’ the opportunity to see your beauty, femininity and sensuality.

You deserve it right now, and all you have to do is show up.

I’ll take care of the rest.