Yesterday was the 4th of July and I hope that you all had a joyful time celebrating with friends and family (or yourself!). While the 4th celebrates a lot of things for us, a common theme is 'freedom'. Posting this client interview seems appropriate to the theme of 'freedom'. In almost every question she answers letting us know how much freedom she feels now that she has been through her OWN experience. 

Read on to hear her personal account on her boudoir session

In love and independence, 

Sarah

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

 I am 23 and turning 24 in September. And at 14, I was (and still am) jamming to my girl, Beyoncé! 

2) What do you do for a living?

 I'm a full time mommy, wife, student, and nurse. 

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

At first I thought I wanted to book a shoot to surprise my husband since I've never done anything "sexy" like a boudoir shoot. But then when I saw all the women looking so natural and beautiful in the pictures, I kept telling myself that I needed to do this for me. 

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

Being naked in front of a stranger was my first fear. But then I thought, "Why the hell not? I'm young, have a great body after having a baby not even a year after the shoot. Why not?!?" And I am SO glad I did it. 

5) Why did you choose OWN? 

I researched a ton of different photographers in the area and I didn't find one who had the look I was interested in. Until I scrolled through your site off of Google! My mouth was on the floor looking through the gallery. (Still is after seeing my pictures!) 

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

I went in with an open mind so I didn't really know what to expect. I was feeling nervous at first but Sarah is seriously the easiest person to talk to. You’ll think you've known her for 10 years as soon as you meet her. 

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

My favorite part was posing, getting a shot taken, and then pausing for a second to view the image. At first it feels weird posing at awkward angles. But when Sarah shows you what it looks like on camera, it's like "OH MY GOD. IS THAT ME?!" All of it was great but that was by far my favorite. 

8) How has the response been to your images?

My husband loved the previews so much that he thought that he couldn't love the rest. 

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

Please do it. Don't wait until you "lose ten pounds". JUST DO IT. 

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

Absolutely. As a mom, you're often expected to take care of yourself last. It's almost the social norm to let yourself go and to feel down and defeated after having children. I don't think that's fair. Women have the right to feel sexy and to feel comfortable in their own skin. This photo shoot did exactly that for me. I'm not afraid to wear that bathing suit at the pool anymore. I don't hide from my hubs after a shower. Own really made me realize, I may be a mom, but I can be hot, too. Behind clothes doors of course ;)

Over the course of the last 5 years I've photographed over 500 women and have had the great privilege of becoming good friends with many of them. Call me crazy, but there is something about stripping down to your lingerie that really brings you close to someone. 

The following client interview happens to be one from one of those clients-turned-margarita-partners and when I read through her answers I could absolutely hear her saying them out loud. She is 40 and fearless and one of the most genuine people you'll ever meet! I hope to have half of her confidence and humor one day. For now I'll settle with having her in our lives and hope that some of her magic rubs off on me! 

Read on and view on, loves. 

-Sarah

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

I just turned 40 years old this year and I’m proud to say it!

2. What do you do for a living?

I’m a domestic goddess-i.e., stay-at-home mom.

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

I have been wanting to do a boudoir shoot for a few years. However, the stars aligned perfectly this year somehow because OWN came at the right time. Maybe turning 40 made me bolder too!

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

Only felt a little bit nervous the closer the date of the shoot got but no obstacles or “real” fear; I was ready.

5. Why did you choose OWN? 

Well, this may sound a bit woo-woo, but I truly feel that OWN chose ME. I sort of put it out there to the Universe that I was finally ready to have a boudoir photo shoot, and a few months later (after my 40th birthday) I was browsing Instagram and found OWN’s IG account. Once I scrolled through the pictures of REAL women looking so fabulous, sexy and sensual (yet timeless and classy) I was like, “That’s it! I’ve found my photographer!”

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

I kind of had an idea of how the photo shoot would go since I had done a pinup-type photo shoot before. But truthfully, the session was even better than any preconceived idea I had in my head. I felt EXTREMELY comfortable from the moment I arrived to Sarah’s studio. Some of my pictures are completely in the nude, and I remember at one point in the shoot Sarah and I took a little snack break and we were chatting away. Suddenly I realized I was still fully naked yet completely comfortable talking to Sarah like it was NO big deal! It takes quite a while for me to be THAT comfortable with someone, but Sarah makes you feel like you’ve known her for years and that you’re BFF’s!

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

I have two favorite moments: the photo shoot itself and the viewing appointment, where I got to see all the pictures for the first time. I was in AWE of how amazing the pictures were and how seriously sexy and hot I looked! I fell in love with my body again, and THAT was priceless to me.

8. How has the response been to your images?

“Those pics are smoking hot, girl!” was one of the reactions I got from a dear friend of mine. In fact, that same friend booked her OWN session after seeing my pictures! My husband was over the moon excited and regardless of him always being complimentary to me and my body, it’s gotten to a WHOLE new level now…if ya know what I mean ;)

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

Don’t think twice about it and just book one for yourself! It’s one of THE most empowering things I’ve done in my life.

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

Yes, absolutely. My body confidence has soared and I’m less judgmental of my body. I look amazing, I feel amazing, and I AM amazing.