Honestly, there is no better feeling than when a client comes back to me and tells me how doing a shoot with me was life changing. I know what you’re thinking, “life changing” is a little dramatic. How could doing a photo shoot in your underwear change your life? Well, technically, I don’t do anything to change their lives. I help aid in the act of changing their perception of themselves- and then THAT changes everything. It’s amazing what we are capable of when we have a little self confidence, or when someone else believes in us so much that not believing in ourselves becomes impossible.
A couple months ago I had the opportunity to photograph another photographer. She booked in on a whim. Not completely sure of herself, but sure of the fact that she wanted this experience and to give her husband an incredible gift. I totally had no clue that she was as nervous as you will soon read about. After her shoot was done and she received her images and gorgeous album, she came and left this post in my group- which left me in happy tears. This is why I do what I do. This is what I consider life changing.
“I’ve hated my body for so so long. When I lived in Hawaii my friend did a boudoir session with a photographer there but all of the photos he shared were photos of beautiful women who looked like they were paid models. I felt like I definitely didn’t fit that role anymore. I was a size 2 until about 2016, and I gained close to 70 lbs thanks to having some medical issues go undiagnosed for so long. I hated my body so much. Every day I would sit there in the mirror for 20 minutes and pick out things I hated about myself. My stomach wasn’t flat anymore, my thighs chaffed and rubbed together so much, my hips got so wide after my pregnancy my boobs were too big, etc. I was so embarrassed about my body I started resorting to really dangerous methods to try and lose weight.
I was added into this amazing group a while ago by my friend and I felt the same way here. Seeing all of you gorgeous women thinking about how beautiful you all looked in your photos and wishing I could do it too. Then I realized that there was a difference between that guy photographer in Hawaii and Amber. – He only showcased model types and Amber showcased the beauty of EVERY type of woman. I kept telling myself “If i lose x amount I’ll book a session” , “If I can get in better shape I’ll do a session”, “If I can (insert some other bogus reason here) I’ll do a session”. The only thing that got me was a lot more self loathing as the months passed by and nothing about me changed.
I finally had enough as my anniversary was coming up and I wanted to do something special for my hubby. I had no clue what to do for a present and I was on Facebook thinking about what to get him and one of Amber’s posts popped up on my timeline and I said to myself “man I wish I could do that” and I realized finally “Why the hell cant I?!” So I messaged Amber and booked that day.
The day of my session I finally got to meet the queen herself as well as the amazing Terri and I was honestly so nervous. I was nervous I’d look like a dang fool and look so stupid in front of them. I honestly contemplated cancelling an hour before. But as soon as I got there I was welcomed with a hug from Amber and I was introduced to Terri and I felt like I was home. They were so easy to talk to, they asked me what I wanted and didn’t just tell me how it was going to be. Terri worked her magic on me and honestly the entire time we were getting ready I felt like a freaking movie star or something getting pampered and having “people”.
Once it was time to actually get in front of the camera Amber didn’t give me any time to clam up. She immediately took charge and coached me into how to pose, what to do with my body and face and at first I felt a little awkward because I felt like I looked stupid. She then showed me a picture off the back of her camera and I was FLOORED at how easy it was for her to capture me in something so beautiful. After that I was just on cloud 9 the entire time. I felt like I was a super model and I was the most perfect being in the world… it’s been almost 2 months and that feeling hasn’t left me yet.
So, my moral of the story is if you’re on the fence about doing a session with Amber. Just book a dang session. Honestly if you’re like me and are waiting to be smaller or a different version of you – that’s not what this is about. This is about celebrating YOU as you are. Not how you would be down the line if you changed everything about yourself. I spent so much time hating my body – I’m so glad I finally decided to worship it.
Thank you Amber for changing my mindset and being so incredible all the time.”
Chloe, thank you so much for going against that feeling of wanting to cancel and showing up for YOU. I am so proud of what we created, you are absolutely beautiful inside and out! Thank you for sharing your personal experience.. I know there are so many women facing the same feelings and same battle as you were. My hope is that when times are tough and you are feeling down on yourself, that you remember that this person full of confidence is inside you, ALWAYS. You got this girl.
With love,
Amber Tyler, Owner/ Photographer of Hello Beautiful Boudoir | Coeur d’alene, ID
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