While maternity boudoir sessions are becoming more and more of an occurrence in my studio (especially for those clients that got knocked up as a result of their stunning photos hahahah), this session was a little different when it comes to 'pregnancy boudoir'. 

It doesn't happen often, but every now and then I get a panicked call from a client. This call usually goes something like this: 

"Ohmygoodness I just found out that I am pregnant and I need to come in for a boudoir session within the next hour or day or week before my body starts to show!!!" 

I love it, and it definitely gives the session a different sort of milestone in the lives of my clients. How neat to be able to look back at your boudoir session and see the beginnings of your child's life?

For this client, that happened exactly... read about her experience below!

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

28

2) What do you do for a living?

Regulatory for a Medical Device company.

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

Been wanting to do it for a while, and after I found out I was pregnant, I finally decided "It's now or never!"

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

Body image insecurities. [I'm] not good at posing and [tend to make] awkward faces in photos. 

5) Why did you choose OWN? 

LOVED Sarah's work and the way she elegantly captures a woman's natural beauty. 

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

A lot less nerve-wracking than I thought especially being almost (if not completely) naked in front of a stranger. But, having only the photographer there makes it more comfortable. Posing is hard, foreal.

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

Everything, really. But seeing the images was really special and shows the fruit of your labor [before I go into actual labor!]. I kept saying, "Dang! Is that really me?!" Sarah is amazing at what she does!!!

8) How has the response been to your images?

Response has been great. Nothing but goooooooood feedback :] Especially from the hubby.

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

You don't need the "perfect" body to do this. Just as the name of the studio states, its about your OWN beauty.  Whether you do it for yourself or for someone else this was such an empowering experience and one I would recommend every women to try. If you are doing this for a special someone, think of ways to make the outfits more meaningful, so the photos are more personalized.

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

Learned to love my own skin and embrace what I feel are my imperfections. Being sexy is more than just the outfit I may (or may not be) wearing, but the confidence that comes out of me.

Jeni’s Ice cream has probably gotten the fare share of most of my paychecks since I discovered the creamy deliciousness 3 years ago. That delicious dairy goodness is right next in line to Target, a place in which I’ll just kindly nod when they ask me if I’ve spent an amount equal to a small Honda over the course of my life. You know where else I love to frequent? Movie theaters. Hellooooooooo AMC!!! I don’t care how bad the movie is (sorry 'Hunger Games part 24'), thank you for providing me with a few hours of solitary confinement mixed with unlimited popcorn and Diet Coke (and an adult juice box that I picked up at Publix). 

All of these places give me the tingles inside when I visit them.

Do you know why? It’s because I always have an incredible experience. They don’t judge me for sweatpants and dirty hair. They welcome me and make me feel super ridiculously special and pretty when I visit; yes, even AMC movie theaters (especially now that they have a bar and recliners… like, were you reading my diary?!!). 

I know that as humans we only voluntarily re-visit places of business if this places have given us a positive experience and joy. Sure, we go to the DMV repeatedly but I doubt we are going there for pleasure. In fact, if your experience at the DMV looks anything like this (http://www.mrctv.org/videos/broad-city-2016-dmv) then I’m nearly 100% positive you’d never go back. 

That anecdote aside… when a client revisits me for a second (or third!) boudoir session, I am absolutely beyond completely flattered. For some reason you have decided that you’d like to spend another 4 hours of your life being half-naked for a boudoir session. You’ve decided that your current life is not complete without another visit in lingerie, a second set of incredible images, my super-dope playlists, and a parking experience in midtown Atlanta. Maybe you’re using this as an excuse to get out of your house. Maybe you’re realllyyyyyy craving the Vortex next door and just using a boudoir photoshoot as a cover. I don’t care, but thanks for making me a component. 

In 2016 I’ve been able to see quite a few repeat boudoir clients. While I’ll work on their reasons later, I just want to say ‘thank you!!!!’ to those that have come again and ‘What are you waiting for?!!!’ to those that haven’t. Too often I hear that clients leave my studio with visions of lingerie, nudity, and red lips in their heads. What better way to make your visions come true then to come see me again?? 

See? I’m so convincing. Just like Target convinces you that you need those cute little elephant candle holders and also an entirely new set of bluetooth speakers… along with that bulk jar of Monster trail mix.