Do it for you!! Make yourself the priority!

Tell me your story. What do you want people to know about who you are and why you are participating in this project?

As my counsellor once told me, "you are a caregiver", and not just because I work in healthcare but because I can be at the bingo hall and subconsciously I seek the man who needs my help. That's not fair! haha. I mean I have loved being there for my partners and showing them absolute love, care, and dedication, but.... what about me? I have been burnt as many of us have. So take this caregiving nature and turn it towards me now. I know I will still provide that to my future partner, as I am happy to, but this time it'll come with sheer respect and body love for myself as well! I am the only one who will be with me each and every waking day. I can't predict or change tomorrow so only makes sense to keep myself happy and feeling good! I am participating in this project for this sheer fact... to do it for me and only me. I want to look back at this session and the products and say 'hey sweet lady! You look good! Let's keep this up!' Confident boost check! A happier me will only provide a happier future; for those around me too. :)

Tell me about all of your favourite features and the things you would like to emphasize in your photos! This can include physical body parts or a part of your personality!

Some of my features that have taken me a long time to appreciate and love would be the following physical traits: my green eyes, oily skin, Colgate commercial smile, my soft European skin, and maybe the Coppertone bum I got going on. I am happy with my very interpersonal and optimistic nature, I am always seeking smiles and boosting morale where I can.

Are you nervous about having boudoir portraits done? Tell me about your feelings leading up to your shoot.

I am very excited but I do unfortunately get nervous being so exposed. I hate admitting it but I will always pick a flaw in any position or pose I'm in. I'm not one who enjoys being naked per se, but I do love feeling good about myself! So no better way to get myself vulnerable and beat these downers than in the comfort of another strong lady.

What do you want other women to think and feel when they view your portraits in your featured blog post? Is there anything else you want to share?

Do it for you!! Make yourself the priority each day and in front of the camera. Confidence speaks large. It is within you, and I totally appreciate how hard it is to bring it forward. I want others to say shit... she rocked that outfit! Wow... a beautiful pose, she looks so natural!

Tell me something that you learned about yourself from having this experience.

That a smile doesn't always win the crowd. Confident eyes and subtlety can get you that 'shot' as well! There are many sweet angles to me!

If you were nervous before, tell me when your nervousness disappeared.

It did not disappear fully, as I remained a bit reserved in some poses where I knew I was more 'exposed' or angles were making me look how I don't wish to in a mirror. But once reviewing the final images I am so relieved that most of that is just a mind game, those worrisome poses turned into delicious shots! You can defeat those negative self-thoughts with a wee bit more self surety!

Do you have a final message or take-away from the Body Love Project?

Great experience, one that should be taken advantage of much more often!