Miss A came to the studio as a step in her self-love journey. You've all heard stories like this. Girl meets boy. Boy breaks girl's heart. Girl is devastated and no longer knows who she is any more. Unfortunately as women, we tend to put ourselves last on the priority list. But at some point in time you just have to woman up and turn that shit around. This is Miss A's story. It is unique to her and her alone. Check it out below.
Name Amy
How old were you are your session? 50 (omg, you made me say it out loud...)
What made you decide to book a session? Once upon a time, there was an asshole... fairly common start to many stories, hmm? But this guy broke more than my heart, he broke ME. When I met him I was almost 100 lbs. heavier than I am now... maybe more, not sure,because once I hit a certain number on the scale I quit weighing. I used the weight as a way to keep people (men) away. I thought it was just that I didn't want the hassle of a relationship and I didn't believe the benefits outweighed the negatives. But it was deeper than that. Oddly enough, I didn't realize I didn't like ME until after the asshole exited stage left.
So after the dust started settling, I got some body piercings (east, west, and south lol) as a way to take my body and my sexuality back. Then I wanted my whole body to look better, so I started my weight loss journey. Now, I'm thinner, but more importantly I am healthier, I physically feel better inside and out. I'm still not 100% sure how to love and accept myself as a person, but I'm starting on the outside and working my way in. Baby steps, but I'm getting there. This session was one of those steps.
What was originally holding you back from booking a session? Primarily I wasn't happy with how I looked. I'm not saying every woman should be thin, big CAN be beautiful (more about attitude and confidence IMO than dress size), but losing weight was something I needed to do for ME. Also, I didn't have anyone to share the pictures with and I did not believe I would enjoy looking at them myself (I've never liked pictures of me before). I was also concerned about the financial outlay... not that I thought the price was unreasonable for what you get, but how I was going to justify spending that money on myself.
What were you most nervous about for your session? Just that Lisa and everyone else who saw the photos would see what a complete dork I am. I thought there was no way I could make the sexy model faces and poses so I thought the stiffness would show through in the end product.
What were you most looking forward to prior to your session? Getting out of my comfort zone. Getting all dolled up wearing some really pretty lingerie.
How did you feel about yourself before your session? Struggling with accepting myself. Not worthy of being recognized. I hide it well, I act bubbly and outgoing, but inside not so much. I knew I looked better physically than I have in yearrrrrrrrrrs, but that hadn't yet started to really trickle inside.
Describe your experience. O. M. G. I wish I could've stayed all day. The time just flew by. I didn't get a chance to do as many outfits or sets as I would've liked (next up: milk bath and/or shower!). Also next time I will do yoga for several days before my session!
How did you feel about yourself after your session? Liberated. Stunned. Invigorated. Sore (lol).
Were you nervous before viewing your images? My stomach was in knots. I was excited but had no idea what to expect. I thought it would look fake, that I was phoning it in. Stiff and awkward. And although I have lost weight, I was still nervous about how I would look physically in some very revealing clothes. I'm used to hiding my body, not showing it off.
How did you feel about yourself after seeing your images? I literally cried. About halfway through the reveal Lisa looked over and saw that and laughed at (with) me. I did NOT look stiff or awkward. Lisa actually captured several shots of me pulling off those sexy poses and facial expressions and it didn't look faked or unbelievable. It was incredible. I STILL can't believe it's me when I go back and look at them. Oh yes, I look at them often. When I read other women say that before my session I thought, "That's nice, but I'll look at them once then put them away." I was definitely wrong!
What were your favorite products? I got the book and digitals because I can't display wall art in my house (family and friends are waaaaaaay too conservative! lol). The book is more beautiful than I expected, even though I looked at a sample in Lisa's office.
What would you tell anyone interested in, but maybe hesitant, booking a session of their own? Just do it. Whether you're in love with yourself or still struggling. Whether you have someone special to share these photos with or if they're just for you. (Trust me, my friends have seen MOST of the photos more than once, whether they wanted to or not!) appreciate every single thing that makes you your own individual person.
How was working with Lisa and the makeup artists? Wonderful. I brought about 200 outfits (only a slight exaggeration) and Lisa culled them down to the best of the best while I was in makeup. By the time I was all dolled up, we all felt like we'd been best friends for 20 years.
Will you be doing another session? Someday... I still have to recover from this one!
Ready to embrace your inner Goddess? Let's chat about your Dream Boudoir Session. It can be as sultry or implied as you wish. Your session is all about YOU at LGP. Fill out the contact form below for more information.
Lisa Gallant Photography offers Luxury Boudoir Portraits to women and couples of the following areas in South Carolina and Georgia: Summerville, Ladson, James Island, Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Myrtle Beach, Orangeburg, Ridgeville, Columbia, Lexington, Beaufort, Hilton Head, Savannah, Atlanta, Augusta, Greenville, Florence, Goose Creek, Moncks Corner, Georgetown, Murrels Inlet, Sumter, Aiken, Anderson.
