Miss S’ Boudoir Testimonial | The Right Time is Right Now!
Miss S’ Boudoir Testimonial
The Right Time is Right Now!
We at Holly Douglas & Co. believe that EVERY woman, man, person and couple should experience a boudoir photoshoot at least once in their lifetimes. We love empowering people and boosting their self-confidence through the art of boudoir photography! Of course, people expect to hear that from us, the boudoir photographers, because we do this for a living. Boudoir testimonials written by our past clients who have actually experienced a boudoir session, on the other hand, are the most convincing! For this reason, Holly Douglas & Co. proudly features a new boudoir experience testimonial each week.
This week's boudoir experience testimonial comes from the gorgeous Miss J., who was photographed in our luxury boudoir studio in East Nashville, Tennessee!
Tell us about yourself?
40-something single mama of a sassy self-assured 13 year old daughter who has more confidence in her "big back self" (her own words) than I ever had at her age. I am also the chief caretaker for my mama after she has powered through a major stroke a few years ago. I love my people with all I have and get my "me time" thanks to rediscovering my love of reading. I also have the support of a stellar man who has been so patient with me as I work through the trauma I didn't even know I had after being married to a man who some might call a covert narcissist. His love and encouragement have brought me back to finding myself again, which is still a work in progress.
How did you hear about Holly Douglas & Co and what made you want to book with us?
I have followed Holly Douglas & Co on all the platforms for awhile now. The care they take with each client--helping them see themselves in a new light is exactly what I wanted to find for myself. I have waited and waited for "the right time" to take the leap for myself, but you know what? The right time is right now! I'm learning to celebrate each day and to be a champion for myself. I have so many dear friends and family who cheer me on and let me know how proud they are of how far I have come since the divorce. Believing them, though--that has taken some time. My choice to finally contact Holly Douglas &Co came when I saw a post from a mid-size QUEEN who owned her curves and found her inner goddess through the process. After reading about a casting call, I knew I had to save up my pennies and work my side hustle like never before to give myself the chance to have that powerful experience I needed.
What was your initial reason for booking?
I am always telling my daughter to "do the hard thing"...it is the only way we grow. Well, seeing myself from a different lens is very hard for me. I recognize I let someone else's hateful words be my inner dialogue for far too long. Now that my narrative is changing and I am discovering my worth once more, I needed to do the hard thing and give myself a chance to (literally) see myself as one who has beauty and is worthy of being desired by a man who shows me more love than I have ever known in a relationship before.
Did you have any expectations going into the shoot? What were they?
I felt pretty prepared going into the shoot because I had obsessed over all the stories and blog posts! I knew the quality of work that I was walking into, but I was convinced I was going to be the one that made Holly Douglas &Co reconsider their life choices. I have always photographed like an awkward new baby dear caught in headlights. Even as a short woman, I often try to hide behind folks in pictures. So, to be front and center for an entire photoshoot was honestly terrifying.
Were you nervous about the shoot beforehand? If so, what were you most nervous about?
I was excitedly nervous! I was excited because I knew these ladies don't put out trash pictures, so there was hope in that. I think my biggest insecurity, aside from my outstanding awkwardness, was what outfits would possibly look good on my body. I'm built strong, with tree trunk legs. I have the 3 B's (boobs, booty, belly) covered and then some, but I was so worried about it being too much to make beautiful.
Did you become more comfortable after the session started? If so, what helped to relax your nerves?
The minute I met Courtney, I was at ease. After the hair and makeup fairy godmother finished with me, I was even more convinced ya'll had tapped into some sort of Goddess dust. Courtney had so many outfit choices pulled for me from the FABULOUS client closet--things I would have never chosen for myself. She made me try on every single thing and her encouragement helped me pick outfits that were so out of my comfort zone, but looked so good when I got out of my own way and saw them the way she did.
How did you feel during your session?
Courtney's enthusiasm for what she was seeing through the lens, even from the first pose...MAGIC to my insecurities. And what she showed me every couple of shots almost made me cry in the best way. Who was this woman?? There were poses and angles that were hysterical to try and get into (and out of--talking to you, library couch), but it was all an amazing, transformative journey for me. By the time we got to the playroom set, I was another person. That lying voice in my head was gone, and in its place was Courtney, telling me how brave I was being and how much fun this was.
Describe how you felt when you saw your images for the first time.
I stared in disbelief. That wasn't me! I mean, it was, obviously, but what the what?! And then, as the pictures continued scrolling, I saw, for probably the first time, how important it was to keep my chin up. Not just talking about pictures and angles...but in general. I was so much stronger, more confident, more poised in the images with my chin up. And if that isn't a life lesson, I'm not sure what is.
What was your favorite part of the experience and why?
My absolute favorite part of the experience was seeing the unedited images as we were shooting. The absolute confidence that brought to the battle that was going on in my head--especially early on--was the key to shutting up those insecurities! And then, expecting to only have a handful of images that I liked, to having to whittle down because there were so many I was obsessed with?!
Has anything changed for you since your boudoir experience and seeing your gallery? How has boudoir impacted your body image as a woman?
I never would have imagined being so in love with what Courtney captured. Yes, angles and lighting, and those cool little camera bobbles helped, but the woman in those images was fearless and knew her worth. It's hard not to walk away from this experience feeling like a badass. After this experience, I immediately messaged my friend group and told them what I had done. I cried over how absolutely gorgeous those proofs were. I told them that this jumpstarted a new chapter for me--the "idgaf because I am worthy" chapter. So, yes. Things have changed: I wear the 2 piece swimsuit to the pool now. I wear the red shoes. I go to the grocery without a stitch of makeup. I literally hold my chin up high. I use my words when my needs aren't being met. I am changed, and I am better for the experience.
What advice would you give to another woman considering a boudoir experience with Holly Douglas & Co?
My advice--don't wait. Don't wait for another minute. Do it for YOU, not for a partner. Do it for the 86 year old you, who is going to look back at these pictures and remember your badass, sexy self. Do it to tell that lying voice in your head to sit down and STFU.
Would you recommend Holly Douglas & Co for the luxury boudoir experience to others?
I have already recommended Holly Douglas &Co to anyone who will listen----even without having seen my edited pictures yet! The experience alone has been worth every single dollar. Who needs therapy when you can wear gorgeous outfits, have your hair and makeup done to perfection, and have another badass woman shout about how stunning you are in that light?!
Thank you for sharing your boudoir experience testimonial, Miss S.!
