“This self proclaimed “frumpy housewife” documented her intimate photography session so perfectly! Janet documented her feelings through the whole process and I can’t wait to share it with you.”
What Janet had to say about her boudoir session...
Sexy? At age 41 and having popped out 3 kids. Sagging and stretch marks. Boudoir? Was this really a good idea?
Ok let's be honest here. I look in a mirror and I see a frumpy old housewife. I have little to no self esteem. I just didn't see what my sweet husband always tells me. He loves my stretch marks. He loves my poochy little belly. He tells me every day how beautiful I am. But I couldn't see it.
A friend tells me at a bridal event that I should sign up for a boudoir session with Misty. My immediate response was no. And I don't mean a soft no. I mean a hard hell no never in a million years. As the day progressed I kept sneaking peeks at the works Misty had on display. I am blown away at how beautiful the women in her art are. They have perfect hair and perfect makeup. They are all amazing. Skinny women. Large women. Pregnant even! I think to myself those ladies are so good at makeup and hair. I could never do my makeup good enough. In one of my nonchalant walks past the booth I learn that hair and makeup is included by a professional! Well! That sounds great. But what if I end up looking like a 90s glamour queen? Then I meet the lady doing the makeup. Gorgeous doesn't begin to describe her. I think to myself, "Hmmm. Maybe she could actually make me pretty".
By the end of the day I get up enough courage to sign up. I think to myself this would be a perfect gift for my husband. I decide I am going to suck it up and no matter uncomfortable I might be, I am willing to do this for my husband. Keep in mind my comfort zone is a tiny little box directly in front of me and the idea of boudoir photos is a mile or two the other way.
I set up a date for my photo shoot. Misty sends me all the detailed info I need about what to wear. Pointers on what works and what doesn't. The do' s and don'ts. I have my notes now I can go shopping. Let's just say this turned out to be the most challenging part. It is important to find outfits that work for me. What I learned real fast was the things on the hanger don't look as good on my body. I bought a couple "meh" things that I wasn't in love with. The next day I admit to my friend I am having trouble finding outfits. The next shopping trip went way better. I recommend bringing a friend along so you can laugh hysterically at the outfits that don't work. In the end I found a corset that I absolutely loved. So I had one outfit nailed down. I dug through the bottom of my drawers at home and was surprised to find a cute bra and panty set that I had forgotten about.
The big day comes and I am a nervous wreck. I nearly chickened out and cancelled figuring I would still pay my sitting fee for her trouble. But I think about my husband and how I really want to do something extra special for the man that gives me everything. I pull up at the location. A very nice rented condo. I go in and I am literally shaking from fear. Here is the most straight laced prim lady going to take naughty pics. I go in and meet Monica the makeup artist and Misty my photographer. They are just chillin out all set and ready for me.
I brought a robe to change into so I wouldn't have funny sock and underwear lines. Because me being the overthinker that I am have run every little detail and thought through my head before arriving. I sit on the makeup chair and within a few minutes I am relaxed and chattering while Monica starts the process. Remember my fear of 90s glamour shots? I needn't worry. It took half hour maybe 45 minutes and when I looked at the lady in the mirror I was blown away. A beauty with a gorgeous soft look stared back. I winked at her and changed into my 1st costume. Since I am being honest I was a little scared to walk out of the bathroom.
I made it! Now for the actual photos. Boy I sure do love my husband. Now the actual taking of the photos isn't at all what I expected. Let's get this straight. I might have been dressed all sexy, but there was nothing sexual about the actual photographing. Misty would show me each pose and how to do it 1st. So when I did it I felt comfortable because I had seen her do it 1st. That takes an unbelievable amount of pressure off! By the 2nd pose I was giggling, relaxed and starting to have fun. I was actually enjoying this! As hard as that was for me to believe, I was having fun. Giving the camera the little things, the little grins, the little things I do.
By the end of my session I am blown away at how comfortable I was. How much fun the shoot actually is. I felt so beautiful that I had to go visit a couple friends on my way home just to show someone how pretty I was.
Now the wait. Within a few days I have an appointment to view my pictures. I had high hopes but I also had some doubts as to whether or not I would be a pretty as I felt the day of the shoot.
We get set up and begin going through about 70 pics. I am shocked. I am blown away. I actually look incredible. Me! The frumpy house wife. I look smokin' hot. It is nearly impossible to weed it down to the 20 that have decided I want for the album I picked out. I finally see it! I can actually see what my husband is always talking about. I am beautiful. I am desirable.
The day my album is delivered I am giddy with excitement. Misty brings it in a nice gift bag with some other goodies. Of course I can't help myself. I open it and the feeling of euphoria overtakes me. Here in my hands is the most amazing book that showcases all that is me. I thought I was making a gift for my husband. I didn't realize that I was giving myself a gift. The gift of seeing myself in a whole new light. A huge boost in confidence and self esteem. I may have thought I was doing it for my husband but in the end it was for me too.
The reveal! Ok I can't write all that my husband said when I gave him the book. He was shocked and amazed that I actually did it. And of course he said that he sees me like that every day. And I have warned my kids that some day when they are cleaning out mom and dad's drawers after we go the nursing home, they will find the book.
“The chance to realize you are a beautiful work of art is priceless. I would highly recommend this for any woman. No matter how big or small, young or old. You deserve to see and feel how beautiful you truly are.”
Professional Hair and Makeup by Moninca Linchenbach