**This is a revisit to a post that I wrote at this time last year (original post and photos here). My life has changed SO much in the last year. For example, this time last year I was on a girl's trip to Greece taking every advantage of my single hood. This year I'm currently sitting in a hotel in Florence, Italy with my boyfriend of a year. I'm reposting this because I know there has to be at least one person going through a similar situation as I was last year. I've talking to so many of my boudoir clients (both my boudoir clients in Atlanta and ALL around the worlds) and our personal struggles are often so similar so we should never feel alone. Ok the end :) Read on for the full post and to see some photos from our current trip!  

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If you've spent more than 5 minutes with me over the last 5 months then you've heard me talk excitedly about my newfound single-hood. There has been a LOT of traveling, in fact one of my BFFs asked me if I even lived in Atlanta anymore. (The answer is 'yes' I do still live in Atlanta, and I also live at the Atlanta airport. Shout out to the SkyClub at concourse B!)

This stage in my life has been named and re-named a few times and to be completely forward with you guys.. the current operating title is 'Hoe phase'. ;) I'm out there letting my freak flag fly and enjoying every minute of it. Don't get me wrong, cashing 'flirt' checks isn't how I fill the entirety of my time, but it holds a pretty big piece of the pie-chart. 

For the first time in five and a half years I am living life on my own, but I am not 'alone'.  

I'll admit that even though my relationship ended amicably, at first I was a little bitter and lost. My ex got to 'keep' our circle of friends. He 'got' to keep the apartment. Outside of no longer having me in his life (which as we all know is a terrible thing since I am so amazing hahahahaha) it seemed as if he didn't really have anything that changed. He owns a lot of clothes so at the very best he got to take over a second closet. I was the one that was immediately thrown into finding a new circle of friends, creating new routines, and frequenting foreign coffee shops. 

It took me all of about a week to get over the feeling of eye-rolling bitterness. To my surprise, the relationships and experiences that I have had over the last 5 months have been extraordinary. It really is fascinating the experiences that are easy to say 'YES' to when you have zero commitments telling you to say 'NO'. Of course right now my only voice-of-no is my wallet ;) I've met more people, travelled to more places, and tried more new experiences than I did in five and a half years. 

I say this to say. I am not 'alone'. 

A girlfriend and I had dinner a few months ago and she asked me if I was worried that I had spent 5years of my life with someone and had to 'start over' by being alone in my 30s. Let's all give her a bit of grace and assume she didn't mean that in a completely demeaning way. Had I not known this girl for 25 years I probably would have been offended, but I wasn't. There are as many different values as there are people in this world, and I've never been one to really have a romantic relationship as a top value.

The idea of not really caring either way about having a relationship with someone else is a foreign concept to some. With regards to the subject of boudoir, I'm often met with puzzled faces when I mention that a boudoir session is often done because my clients want the photos for 'just' themselves.

"Just". 

Fuck that word. 

"Just" yourself is enough. There is no one on this earth that you should love and honor more than yourself. It is wonderful to love someone else and to be loved by someone else, but you are also enough when you are "just" you. If you aren't in a romantic partnership you are not alone. I am not alone. If you ARE in a romantic partnership, you are not alone. I am not alone. We are living our lives. We may go to bed solo or *feeling* solo, but we are not alone. We have a world of common interests (I mean, you are reading this blog... presumably with like ONE other person) that gives us community. 

My girlfriend I was talking about is constantly trying to hook me up with any single male she meets.

"Just go on ONE date" she says.

"I do not want to date anyone" I say.

"Just ONE" she says. 

::there's that word 'just' again::

"I do not want to date anyone" I repeat.

"Ok well keep thinking about it" she forces. 

::eye roll::

I am not alone. I am ME. And I am enough. You are not alone. You are YOU. And you are enough.

First of all, if your asking about this bodysuit the let me just say: it is the best bodysuit ever. It photographs incredibly different of each body, had the perfect elasticity, and OH YES that see-through fabric. It’s from Maison Close and it’s the bomb for boudoir (and the shower and just walking around in general sensuality).

Now on to the main event.

This gorgeous client came in to see us with intentions of giving the gift of a boudoir session to her long-distance boyfriend (edited to add he is no longer long distance!). She ended up giving us the gift of a perfect eyeshadow (it’s a metallic glitter shadow from Stila) and an open mind for her session. Read her words, see her life, the variety of wardrobes, and how client interview (like this very one!) helped her make her decision for OWN! 

She shared with her partner, she shared with her friends, and now she is sharing with you! Take this privilege and run with it, just like she did. Never hide how beautiful you are!

Text me for the link to that bodysuit, 

Sarah

 

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

25

2) What do you do for a living?

I'm an Account Executive for a software company 

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

I've always admired boudoir photography and been interested in booking a session. Once I saw Sarah's pictures, it was a done deal!

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

No, I felt confident in working with Sarah and her wonderful team. They helped me plan my outfits/ideas for the shoot and made it an overall seamless experience.

5) Why did you choose OWN?

Sarah's pictures speak for themselves! Her work is absolutely beautiful.

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

Based on all of the client interviews I read before my shoot, it was exactly what I expected. The day was extremely fun and laid back- there was great music going, Sarah had snacks out, and taking the pictures was so fun. I was sad when it was over and am already looking forward to another shoot in the future!

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

This is a hard one! The entire experience was absolutely amazing. I think my favorite parts were getting ready and seeing the images. It was a blast getting ready with Sarah and Hope- so relaxing and the conversation was great. And then of course I was completely blown away during the viewing!

8) How has the response been to your images?

Everyone has loved the images so much! I have at least 10 girlfriends who are interested in booking their own boudoir sessions now!

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

BOOK IT! You will not regret it! The images are sure to be beautiful and the day is one for the books! 

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

Yes, it made me feel much sexier!