I've wanted a new piece of furniture for our boudoir studio for a while. However, I knew that any new piece I added would need to have a function to it. Storage is all that I could come up with, until I saw a neighborhood posting. 

While growing up my parents made my brothers and I (there are three of us all together) take piano lessons. I say "made" because we would kick and scream in order to avoid practicing, and my parents would watch us (or close the door) until we stopped and reluctantly touched the keys again. 

Fast forward to many years later (mannnyyyyyyyy years), I have a new appreciation for piano and I actually miss playing. I miss playing so much that I knew immediately that my new piece of "furniture" would actually need to be a piano. A piano neeeeeeeded to be in my life. I could not only revisit a semi-beloved creative outlet, I could have a killer prop for the boudoir studio. Plus, I'm of course going to teach my clients piano lessons during their boudoir sessions. Duh. 

Well, my dreams came true and my habit of perusing internet yard-sale sites paid off. 

I found a piano. 

The story of how I actually GOT this piano and was able to move it in to my studio (I think it weighs 700lbs) is something that you'll have to ask me at your boudoir session. 

For now, it's working as a great addition to our studio and my musical brain. 

La la la la la, 

Sarah

Sometimes the process of having your boudoir session is just as important as the resulting images. Yes, you look beautiful. Yes, the angles and lighting and champagne were ALL a big fan of you. However, sometimes it's the process itself that means the most. 

 

Reading through the words of my clients is one of my favorite things to do. While we get to talk and connect at your session, reading what clients have intentionally put on to paper (or...you know, a virtual paper) is incredibly special to me. Those words are chosen, thought about, and given to me. They create thoughts of joy, excitement, criticisms, nervousness, revelry, and humor!

Receiving the "client interview" back (which is what we call it here at the studio since we are soooo creative) is exciting because we get to read through intentional thoughts. The "client interview" is exciting for YOU guys, as clients and potential clients, because you have the ability to listen to someone else's experience and possibly find a commonality, ever how small, that speaks to you.

This current interview is full of a very real approach to the process behind her booking a boudoir session with OWN (and at all!). She is amazing, and I'm so lucky to have been able to be the catalyst to her finding the "beautiful person [that] has been lurking underneath".

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

42. I'm less embarrassed by my age than what I was listening to at age 14. :)

2) What do you do for a living?

I'm a freelance writer and Pilates teacher.

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

I've probably been wanting to book a session for at least five years, maybe more. I have Pinterest boards dedicated to it. I just never knew who to go to or had the confidence to go for it. A friend of mine booked a session for her 40th and shared a couple of her photos, so I decided to book a session for myself. Having a mutual friend recommend services was key.

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

I grew up doing choir and theatre and work in fitness, so had no issues about my body or being in front of something else half naked. My main concern was about posing, and the photos not looking contrived or silly or unnatural. But Sarah's directions were so precise, everything felt natural and easy and comfortable.

5) Why did you choose OWN? 

A personal recommendation from a friend, plus the message of body acceptance--more than acceptance really. Celebration. Of embracing who and where you are right now. That sense of empowerment plus the stunning images really sold me.

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

Posing was hard! At least holding the poses. It was kind of like being in a yoga class, but in lingerie. Also, I'm surprised I managed to look so sexy when I was really laughing the whole time!

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

Actually, the shoot itself. It was so fun and empowering. I had the best time. Even seeing the preview of the shots was enough for me. I loved the final images, but for me, embracing the process was the height of my experience.

8) How has the response been to your images?

Well, they were my most liked photos on Instagram in 2017! Hahaha. Some people said that they thought it was an ad when they were scrolling through. Mostly, it made me want to put on lingerie, drink champagne, have my hair and makeup done, and take sexy photos every day!

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

Go for it! Don't wait until you feel you've lost those last five pounds. Embrace who you are right now. Or as I say, now that I'm in my 40s, you're never going to be as young and hot as you are right this very moment! But really, it was a super empowering and confidence boosting experience I think everyone should embrace.

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

For sure. I have struggled with disordered eating most of my life. I teach fitness and am a fairly competitive runner and STILL find ways to beat myself up or bash my appearance almost daily. Seeing myself from afar--through the lens of another, literally--made me realize that beauty and confidence aren't about the size of your jeans or your age or the number on the scale. Beauty is confidence and embracing who and where you are in the moment. And yes, it was nice to have someone do my hair and makeup and shoot my best angles, but that beautiful person has always been lurking there underneath. I just needed to find her.