Today you get to hear directly from my amazing client Miss J. She shares her experience in choosing herself and working with me for her photo shoot as an act of rebellion against insecurities. I love what she wrote (it had me crying joyful tears) and am so grateful to share her story with you today.
Deciding to do a boudoir photoshoot was all about choosing myself and showing myself that I am strong, sensual, and worthy. It was something I’d always been afraid of, thinking I was too big and too awkward to be seen as anything more than the lies I was telling myself. As with most low self confidence and self deprecation, mine manifested from various bad relationships, bad as in I’ll be in therapy for life and it would make most people wonder how I’m still somewhat sane, bad. From these relationships, I’d lost sight of myself and learned to make myself small and quiet. I wanted and needed to take up space.
“was like seeing what other people see when they look at me, finally.”
-J
Through my journey of self discovery and healing, I got into fitness and health and have released 100 pounds of weight and counting. Due to the amount of weight, I have loose skin and looking in the mirror had become difficult in a way I was unfamiliar with. I felt alien in my own body and couldn’t reconcile this new version of myself. Filling out the interest form on Ginger’s website, was an act of rebellion against my insecurities. I was desperate to feel connection with myself.
I felt comfortable, heard, and understood
When it came time for the call with Ginger, I felt comfortable, heard, and understood. She made me feel human, and more than that, she made me feel less alone. I booked my date right then and there, knowing I didn’t need to speak to any of the other boudoir photographers in the area. Counting down the day, Ginger kept in touch, sending me reminders and excitement, thoughts on what colors, textures, outfits, vibes, etc I could possibly want for the day. She was a creative storm with experience to help guide me. And still, yet, the best was yet to come.
Entering the studio that day was like entering into Narnia— magical and inspiring. I saw opportunity, but I also saw a plethora of chance to get overwhelmed. Luckily, Ginger came traipsing over, all overalls and glasses and coolness, steering me to a room to the side, introducing me to my stylist for the day, Kimmy. As Kimmy pampered me to within an inch of my life and regaled me with fun stories, Ginger was hard at work getting the sets I’d chosen ready, envisioning all the lighting choices and prop needs once she saw my chosen outfits. The first time I looked at myself in the mirror after getting glammed up, was like seeing what other people see when they look at me, finally. I saw someone with heart, someone with passion and fire, someone who despite everything, puts on a smile and makes it all look so easy. I’d never felt more beautiful…
Have you ever ridden the tallest roller coaster in the park, and felt so much fear before and during
Have you ever ridden the tallest roller coaster in the park, and felt so much fear before and during, but then after, felt alive and invigorated, ready to take on the next one? Well that’s what the actual shoot felt like. I believed myself to be out of my element as Ginger positioned me this way and that, making awkward and shy seem purposeful. I fidgeted in the most risky getup I’d brought with me, feeling exposed, and not just physically but emotionally too. Ginger throughout spoke to me with respect and dignity, never making me feel as exposed as I felt. She was professional while also witty and real. Soon enough, I found myself laughing along with her, feeling free and a little more like maybe I can be a sensual creature. By the time we were taking photos for the last set, I felt like a new woman, having embraced all my various facets and accepting them for what they were— unequivocally me. I honestly had no idea I’d be getting a therapy session at the same time I’d be setting myself bare, all without Ginger having to ask too deep questions. It was of my own making, as I allowed myself to feel all my feelings and be vulnerable with someone who’d started as a complete stranger, and throughout the session had become a friend.
I was in complete shock and awe as we swiped through photo after photo.
Getting dressed again to see the photos in their raw form, I felt a sense of nostalgia for a moment that hadn’t yet passed. It was knowing that I’d unlocked a version of myself I’d never seen and sincerely hoped I could experience again. As we sat down for nibbles and snacks (think girl dinner), I was nervous and afraid that all that self empowerment I felt was all in my head and my photos wouldn’t be able to capture the transformation I’d felt. My apprehension was for naught, as I saw the art Ginger captured. I was in complete shock and awe as we swiped through photo after photo. I had absolutely no idea my body, my eyes, my expression could look as they did. I started wondering if all my fear of being undesirable and not like the other girls, was completely unfounded— spoiler alert: it was! The rich colors, the varied textures, and strategic lighting created a story of exploration for love of the most important kind, self! And what a story it was! I couldn’t help but think about how beautiful and ethereal I looked! If I hadn’t been completely in the moment as the photos were being taken, I would’ve sworn Ginger had photoshopped and cropped and smoothed out all my imperfections and insecure areas. Yet, she hadn’t and what I was seeing was pure me. It was in so little words, an incredible experience.
and when I look in the mirror I don’t inspect and critique
Since that day over a month ago, I have recommended Ginger to anyone and everyone I come across! I firmly believe everyone deserves to feel the way I did that day. My outlook on myself has increased significantly, and when I look in the mirror I don’t inspect and critique my folds and marks, instead seeing that body that stretched and contorted into beautiful and alluring poses. My photo album is a wonderful way to relive the experience and remind myself as often as I please that I am hot and capable! If anyone is on the fence about whether you should make the investment, just do it and let the photos speak for themselves!
-Miss J
Are you ready to have your own photo shoot as an act of rebellion against insecurities? Click here and learn more about my EVOLUTION Project for 2025.
If you need more time to warm up to the idea you can get on my email list to stay in touch with me and learn more about what this experience can do for you. Join my list here.
