If you've been following along for the past few weeks you know that there is a pretty special personal boudoir project that I'll be embarking on for 2018. The project is centered on scars

While my personal photography project has been an idea in my creative locker for a while, I needed an extra push for me to really set out and start. Enter this gorgeous woman. She came to me with excitement and confidence; a woman who truly knew herself. I was so in awe of her demeanor and beauty (she has the warmest eyes and smile). It is often that clients approach boudoir from a nervous angle, but with her I felt like this was going to be a very natural act for her. The session went beautifully, and shout out to the ladies at Trashy Diva Lingerie here in Atlanta for outfitting her with fantastic lingerie. As she told me her story about who she was and how she got to this point in her life I KNEW that she needed to let her story be seen and heard. She was the kick-in-the ass that I needed to start my 'Scars' project, because her scars are the last thing that you notice about her. Read along for her client interview and check out how insanely sexy and in control she looks throughout the entire gallery. Love love love. 

-Sarah

1) How old are you... or if you prefer, who were you listening to at age 14 :)?

I'm a ravishing 31 years old. (Bonus response: In 2000-2001, a true golden age for popular American music, I would run out to the school dance or skating rink floor for Jagged Edge feat. Rev Run's "Let's Get Married" remix.)

2) What do you do for a living?

I'm a full time PhD student in English literature. 

3) What/who made you decide to book a boudoir session?

My gorgeous friend booked a shoot and debuted her photos on social media with an inspiring caption about self-acceptance and self-love. She's brilliant, and her pictures were super dope! So, after consulting my friend for more details and looking through Sarah's website and Instagram posts, I was sold on booking a boudoir session. I like having professional photos taken, but had never even considered taking boudoir pictures. I guess i just needed the recommendation or invitation, and I'm so glad I received it.    

4) Did you have any obstacles or fears about boudoir?

I'm a size 20/22, and I have scars from a serious motor vehicle accident that happened when I was younger. While I've done my own work to be okay in my skin despite the ways having visible scarring or a fat body make you vulnerable to other's judgement, ignorance, or pity, I did have concerns about looking pretty in a boudoir shoot without having to obscure or edit these qualities about myself -- would the angles look good, would lighting be okay, would I be okay seeing the body I carry around proudly when it's stripped down and reflected back to me? The answers were all yes thanks to Sarah's vision and skil! 

5) Why did you choose OWN? 

My friend's enthusiastic recommendation and Sarah's beautiful work! Plus, Sarah and her staff impressed me quickly with the quality of their customer service when I reached out to inquire about a session.

6) How was the actual session different from what you expected (if at all)?

The session was different because I was way more comfortable than I thought I would be for my first boudoir shoot. I laughed with Sarah often and felt confident in the poses she taught me to do.

7) What was your favorite part of the entire experience? (priming, the shoot, seeing images, giving the images..etc)

Sarah is awesome and affirms you so much during the session. Our interaction during the shoot was my favorite part. The only down side was that I kept smiling and giggling so much that it was hard to keep up a smize or sexy smoldering look. :)  Seeing my images was a very close second. 

8) How has the response been to your images?

The friends I showed my images to were wowed and interested in doing their own sessions. The response has been extremely positive!

9) What is your advice for women interested in such a session?

My advice is to do it! If you're interested, then have some pictures taken of your beautiful self! Do your research, consider which types of looks you want to try, and study Sarah's work online for inspiration and ideas.

10) Did anything change about the way you see your own beauty as a result of this session?

No changes, but I do have these beautiful reminders now of my beauty, strength, softness, and sexiness! They remind me of who I am at my best and who I'm working to get back to when I'm having days when I feel less than fabulous.

It's that time again, time to read and relate to a wonderful woman that has gone through the boudoir experience. Again, I am always tempted to try and convince people about what "prancing around in lingerie" (direct quote from someone) is ACTUALLY about... but the purpose and residual effects come across much more genuine and believable when you hear for someone that opted-in. 

This interview is no different. I've loved being her friend and watching her start her 'new' life. Read on about her experience, written in detail, and about how everything has changed. 

1) How old are you... or if you prefer, who were you listening to at age 14 :)?

I' newly 33 lol

2) What do you do for a living?

Account manager

3) What/who made you decide to book a boudoir session?

I'm getting married in April, and I wanted to do this for my fiancé's wedding present. 

4) Did you have any obstacles or fears about boudoir?

So many!! I was worried I would only see my flaws in the pictures, that then there was the lingerie part! I was terrified of posing in lingerie in front of a camera.

5) Why did you choose OWN? 

After seeing Cassie's pictures, I totally IG-stalked the OWN page. Every picture was phenomenal. I went to the page and was impressed with the beauty in every picture. When I saw the women were not the same thin fitness queens I see on magazine covers, I was sold! 

6) How was the actual session different from what you expected (if at all)?

The biggest difference was how comfortable I was. Sarah and I laughed a lot. She coached and encouraged. She was positive and was a joy to be around! Brielle did my makeup and hair, the first time I had ever had my makeup done. It was like meeting a team that knew you better than you know yourself. 

7) What was your favorite part of the entire experience? (priming, the shoot, seeing images, giving the images..etc)

Seeing the images was by far my favorite. It is the first time in my entire life I looked at myself and said "that beautiful girl in the picture is me!" And there were tears. But the entire session...the planning, the shoot, and especially seeing the final product was all this incredible experience! The funniest part was Sarah helping me figure out this bralette piece I had because it wrapped around, and I could not for the life of me figure it out! lol

8) How has the response been to your images?

Amazing!! I've showed friends and the comments of "these are great! You look fantastic!" Are different because I believe them! 

9) What is your advice for women interested in such a session?

DO IT!! Do it for yourself. It's powerful and life changing. Be open to it...the suggestions, the advice, the posing, all of it. 

10) Did anything change about the way you see your own beauty as a result of this session?

Everything changed. I might not look like the corset clad model I did in my pictures every day, but knowing she's a part of me has changed me. I'm kinder to myself. I don't immediately see my flaws when I look in the mirror. I speak to myself with love, and I know I can be a better role model for my daughter about self love and acceptance of one's body. When my fiancé tells me I'm beautiful, I believe him and not just because he sees me as beautiful but because I know I am. It took my 33 years to see beauty in me, and I will treasure this for the rest of my life. Sarah and her team gave me a gift that is priceless, and I'm grateful to them every day for that gift.