Justine’s Boudoir Photo Shoot
When I asked Justine to write about her boudoir photo shoot, she quickly replied “Of course! DOUBLE of course!!” When we first met Justine, we could not fathom how she didn’t realize how absolutely beautiful she is. Her humble, down to earth nature makes her even MORE beautiful. Here is her story, written by Justine herself.
Choosing to have boudoir photos done has been one of the best, most liberating decisions I have made for myself. Don't get me wrong- the decision did not come easily. Not by a long shot.
I would never have thought to do something like this, but I was going through a time that I'm sure many women can relate to. I've had three kids, I was feeling like I've lost "it" and after many months of making these kinds of comments to my husband, he said "Why not try something like a boudoir photoshoot?"
I LAUGHED. I am never the one in front of the camera. I have always been too anxious to hire a professional photographer, even for family photos and Christmas cards. What made him think I could do something like a boudoir photo shoot? I brushed off the idea, and made some kind of off-handed remark to him like "You just want to have pictures for yourself." To which he replied "Do it for you. You don’t have to show me anything. Do it for you."
Well, that took some pressure off. I still had to talk myself into it, and went back and forth for weeks before I finally decided to request a phone consultation. I still remember the feeling I had the second I submitted the request. "What am I getting myself into?"
My negative thoughts and hesitations were washed away within 30 seconds of the phone call. I felt like I was talking to a friend I had known for years. They addressed my insecurities, laughed with me, calmed me down, and all around made this process and experience feel doable. I was still extremely nervous about the actual photo session, and even considered canceling a couple times. They checked in with me as my photo session got closer, to see if I had any questions or if I needed help with my outfit choices. Every time we spoke, I just felt better.
Then, photo shoot day arrived. I can honestly say the drive to my session was one of the most nerve-wracking drives of my entire life. I reminded myself that I hate having my picture taken and have never done it professionally- what business did I have doing it for the first time in such a vulnerable way? I was overthinking everything about my body. About how I never made the time to get a mani/pedi, or if my eyebrows were good enough. I realized I never actually lost those ten pounds that I promised myself I would lose by this day. Why didn't I touch up my roots, why didn't I wear a Crest White Strip last night? Should I have gotten Botox!? I've never gotten Botox and don't really know what it does, but should I have gotten Botox?
SPOILER ALERT: None of that mattered.
As I walked into the studio, I was greeted by a small team of women that somehow ALSO knew how to make me feel like we had been friends for years. The 1:1 attention that I received while sitting in that hair/make up chair made me feel like a queen. I didn't have to give any kind of direction to Kristin. She made me feel so good and did my hair and make up in a way that has never been done before, and yet I still looked like myself, which was important to me.
Then came the photo shoot. Jennifer had me start with the outfit I felt most comfortable in, (which, at first, was none of them!) But I got dressed, took a deep breath, and walked into the studio. I remember reiterating to her about 10 times that I had no idea what I was doing, but once again- that didn't matter. Jennifer showed me how to pose, where to look, how to breathe, when to blink, how to hide my arms and mom tummy, etc. She takes the guesswork out of every minute of your session and guides you through it seamlessly. Suddenly, two hours felt like fifteen minutes and the session was over.
I thought I was as nervous as I could get on the way to my session, but driving back to the studio on "Reveal Day" brought a whole new set of concerns. What if I hated my pictures? What if my arms looked bigger than I thought they were? Justine, why in the world didn't you lose those ten pounds like you were supposed to!?
I walked in the studio, sat down on a nice fluffy couch, and Jennifer sat down with me as she pulled up my pictures on the TV. My eyes welled up with tears. I couldn't believe it was me. I asked Jennifer if she was sure these were my pictures. I still get goosebumps thinking about reveal day.
It’s been 6 months and I haven’t gone a week without flipping through my album. Just knowing I conquered a fear of mine and that these photos of ME exist, brings me out of a funk every time.
Ultimately, I had these photos taken for myself. I thought I was going to be the only one to see them. I went into this knowing that I just needed something to remind me that I was still beautiful. That I still had "it'. However, its hard to keep a beautiful secret. As a woman with a husband that travels four days a week, it sure is wonderful to open my husband's suitcase when he gets home and see that he keeps my pictures right on top, every time.
Do it for you.
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