Meet Kelli
I had thought about doing a boudoir session for a long time, and it never seemed to be the right time--the right body. When I saw your ad for the Over 50 project, I started to think about the session in a new way. Seeing the other women who participated, I felt more confident not just in my body but my whole person. I suddenly wanted to do a session to show my daughter who is 19 that older women are sexy and confident and proud. Also, I was blown away how lovely all the ladies looked in their photos, and I was curious if I would be able to see myself that way as well.
As a young girl, I was not a confident person. I always felt not right in a world that demanded a certain look. As I grew up and grew into myself, I began to understand that the images we are told to believe represent the accepted 'norm' don't really represent all that many people, and I started to see myself differently but still not terribly confidently.
It wasn't until I met my husband that I really came into myself and my body. He truly loves me no matter my shape or size, and that kind of acceptance is what really gave me the confidence to truly embrace myself.
I had seen ads for other boudoir sessions, but I never felt like they would portray me the way I would like. So, I had contemplated doing a session for a long time and just hadn't found the photographer that fit. When I saw your pictures on Instagram and FB, I knew I could do this. The setting and the way you set up the shots drew me in, and I could see myself doing a session with you. Leading up to the session, I was nervous. You lay yourself a bit bare when you do something like this, and I wasn't sure how I was going to react, but the session was so easy. I kept it a secret from everyone that I had set up the appointment, but on the day of my shoot, I had to tell my daughter what I was up to because my cryptic "I have an appointment in SEA" was freaking her out. She thought I had something medically wrong, a doctor's appointment, so I told her what was up to keep her from being anxious. She was super excited for me.
Getting my makeup done was different for me. I was nervous that it would end up being too much, but it all came together and was perfect! I was nervous about wearing clothes that didn't represent me but didn't need to because you were so supportive of me wearing the things that I brought. The one outfit of yours I did borrow (a navy bodysuit) is my husband's favorite picture. Once we got started, the posing was awkward at first, but pretty quickly I settled into the rhythum of it all. You kept asking me questions and chatting, and that made it easy to relax. The BEST moment was when you turned the camera after one of the first pictures to show me how I looked. I needed that. I was uncertain how it was all going to turn out until you did that, and I couldn't believe how awesome I looked through that lens.
I felt really empowered to have done something so far out of my comfort zone. It did stick with me, and I feel it again when I share my book with someone I trust.
I'm gonna be honest. I don't think I'm unique in that I look at a picture of myself and see all the things 'wrong', but when I reviewed my photos even though I still noted what I didn't like about this picture or that one, more so I was like "Wow! That's me!" The ones that I liked, I loved. It was easy for me to weed out the images that I would keep. The ones that ended up in my book were exceptional--they stood out from the rest. I like looking at my book. It reminds me to give myself grace. When I start the negative commentary, I remember that I have a book of pictures that prove that chatter wrong. I didn't diet or tan or have skin smoothing done before my session. I don't judge anyone else's choices, just sharing my own. I share this because it makes me proud that what you see in my book is a true reflection of who and what I am. I was excited to share my pictures with my daughter, and her reaction was perfect--"Mom, these are amazing!" I was excited to share my pictures with my husband because I knew he would like them, but I didn't expect the reaction I got. He got very emotional. He understood that they weren't just pretty pictures but a courageous challenge to myself. He loved and respected my choice to do the session.
I would say ... if you find the right photographer, you can find your fit. So much of this was connecting with Amber, and feeling confident that 'Yes, I can do this.' This is about classy and sexy and confident, and Amber has the ability to help women see that in themselves through her camera.
Know that your body is perfect just as it is. Just Love it. Be kind to yourself, goodness knows there enough people willing to be cruel and hateful, so give yourself kindness and grace.
What is your age?
If you're on the fence and even think you might want to do a boudoir session, I would say "Go for it!" Amber will allow you to see yourself in ways that you never knew you could.
