Lupus, Tarot and Self Love: Kendra’s Journey
So you want to book a boudoir photoshoot?
There are so many reasons why my clients want to come into my studio (newly relocated in the Phoenix, AZ valley!!) for a boudoir session. Some want to reclaim their confidence, maybe the final push to finally do it is a wedding or anniversary coming up and others want to take the next step in their self love journey.
Whatever your “why” is, know that you will always be welcomed within my space.
One of my recent clients, Kendra, shares her story with us on what life was like before and after her boudoir session with Envy Boudoir. It’s filled with vulnerability, fear and then her renewed sense of confidence and feeling fine af!
“I grew up with a loving mother but a critical one.”
“She always commented on my weight and how my looked which made me very critical about how I look. Then at age 15 I was diagnosed with mixed connective tissue disease and later on, lupus. Unfortunately I started losing my hair and due to the medications I was on I got avascular necrosis (bone death) in my hip. The pain from that caused me to gain so much weight so fast and then I had a hip replacement that took almost two years to heal causing more weight gain. Within 5 years my body transformed into a whole other person that I hated looking at in the mirror. I didn't feel pretty, sexy and was so uncomfortable in my own skin.
A friend of mine started working with a photographer, doing boudoir shoots and shared them on Facebook.
I was so blown away. I had no idea these kind of things actually happened. I thought it was only for REAL models. My friend explained how empowering the shoot was and how it made her love her body. I knew then, I needed to do this for myself and for the first time ever really learn to love my body. I wanted to see what my husband says he sees when he looks at me. Plus I always wanted to be a pinup girl so I had to do this!”
“After deciding I needed to do a boudoir shoot it took me several months to find Envy Boudoir because I don't always trust reviews on yelp or Google so I was following boudoir photographers on facebook.”
“I really wanted to find a photographer who not only could take beautiful pictures but truly saw the beauty in their clients and could empower them to be their true selves. I visited so many websites and talked to so many people about their experiences and all were good but not what I was looking for.
Then I stumbled onto Envy Boudoir's Facebook page and within an hour I knew I had to book work with Kait.
The reviews from women in the group about their experiences of being blow away by their images and how Kait really brought a sense of safety to be themselves in their shoot made me tear up. These women were like me and Kait helped them love themselves and their bodies so much that it truly changed how they treated themselves. I was in the group for a few months before I contacted Envy Boudoir, working up the nerve and guts to do this. I decided on my birthday that loving myself would be the best present, so I messaged Envy Boudoir to set up a consultation!”
“I was so excited for my session day! I even had a countdown in my phone and everything.”
“Getting all the emails leading up to the session made me feel looked after and care for. You not only get emails to help you prepare for the shoot which is so incredibly important, I would have been a bit lost without them but they were empowering also. Each one I would get I'd feel more and more excited for the session and a bit braver too since I knew what to do beforehand.
On the day of my session I was so nervous. I knew my pictures would be good but I didn't think I'd look like the women in the reviews I read due to my weight and scars plus I'm a bit awkward but nevertheless I was so excited that I forgot my outfits in the car!
When I met Kait, she immediately made me feel welcome and was so excited to meet me. Shooting with her was so much fun. She truly puts you at ease and helps you feel your best. We even got to use my favorite tarot cards during my shoot! My favorite part was when she got real with me after I told her I didn't do much for myself and I wasn't very confident either. She encouraged me to start doing things for myself and to let go of what was holding me back from being my true self. She explained, firmly but sweetly that I was a powerful force and should act like one from now on. I never knew I needed to hear that till she said it the way she did.”
“After my shoot and seeing my pictures I was amazed.”
“I couldn't believe it was me!!! There were so many beautiful shots that it was so hard to narrow it down. Seeing myself like that took my breath away.
I had never felt so beautiful and for the first time actually sexy!
I could truly see that I wasn't the ugly person in the mirror and not just because I was wearing makeup but in the photos I can see I was being way too critical on my body's weight and shape. I looked nothing like I thought I saw in the mirror every day and it made me relieved to be honest.
For the first time in a very long time, I felt good about myself. I felt like hot shit and you couldn't tell me nothing for weeks after my shoot!
Since my session I have continued to hear Kait's voice telling me to stop doubting myself and I have gone more out of my comfort zone. I started wearing clothes I thought I was too big to be in and show off my body a bit more. I feel proud of it now. I even got a tattoo on my thigh which I swore I could never do because my thighs were too fat lol.
I really took to heart what Kait said and it meant a lot to me that she cared enough to take the time to say it.
Now I'm letting my freak flag fly and am more comfortable in my own skin. I am currently saving up for another boudoir shoot with Envy Boudoir and am traveling all the way to Arizona to do it!! Can't wait for round 2!!!!”
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Ready to experience this for yourself?
Schedule a phone consultation with us to get on the calendar so YOU can be the next one to have this transformational photoshoot with Envy Boudoir ↓