Pittsburgh Boudoir Photography that empowers YOU to love yourself!

April 13, 2023

You Are Not Flawed

Flaws.

We need to stop using the word “flaw.”

What the heck are flaws anyway?

The actual definition of flaw is “a feature that MARS the PERFECTION of something, a DEFECT, a FAULT.” (Emphasis mine)

Perfection. Another word we need to stop using.

Perfection doesn’t exist, it never will. So, if it doesn’t exist how could something be flawed?

When you believe you are flawed or even think that you’re flawed, you send yourself the message that you are defective, you have fault and blame because you have marred the perfection of yourself. Therefore, you must be flawed.

“Flaw.” That word makes you believe that there is something wrong with you that needs to be fixed, that you have to salvage this thing that is so deformed, that this thing you have is unacceptable. Somehow, someway, you are going to improve this defect within yourself because no one wants to be flawed.

STOP BELEIVING THE LIE that there is something inherently wrong with you that needs to be fixed.

You are not flawed. You are you, there is nothing flawed about you.

Flawed.

No thank you.

I am me. I am whole.

I don’t need to be fixed.

I don’t need perfection in life

All I need is to be my authentic self.

Flawed isn’t something you are.

Flaws aren’t something you have.

Other words, according to the thesaurus, for flaw: bug, defect, failing, weakness, glitch.

NONE of those words are associated with you, and neither is flaw.

If I believe I am flawed, that I have to accept my imperfections, that I am “Perfectly flawed” or I am “accepting my flaws” as quotes like to say, it allows others to permeate my mind in thinking that they have solutions to my problems. That I am something that needs to be fixed. Because don’t we always try to fix the flaws?

I don’t want to be perfect or flawless, but I do want to work on being the best possible me, committed to growth, determined to find a deeper understanding of me, to appreciate all my uniqueness and shine that light I have within me.

A flawed person could never do that.

A flawed person never WOULD do that.

I will always make mistakes, I’ll never get it right the first time around, I’ll say the wrong thing, I’ll do the wrong thing – all that is steps toward growth, to seeing myself as who I am.

And who is that person? Someone who is always trying her best. Open to learning. Being a positive light to those around her. Spreading love and joy.

Stop looking at yourself as flawed.

Stop seeing imperfections.

You are complete. You are whole.

You are never, ever flawed.

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April 5, 2023

The Goddess Garden

This post is long overdue! One year ago, I began construction of the outdoor patio at the studio. It was finished in June, with the design completed in early July. It’s now April. Yup, long time coming. 🙂

When I first saw the building in its raw state, I saw the patio and knew exactly what belonged out there. I didn’t have the time to focus on that piece of the studio when I first bought the building because the inside needed all my attention. You know, redoing all the electrical, HVAC, making a handicapped bathroom, redoing a ceiling. Then painting and cleaning. Finally design. So, yea, the inside had all my attention but it was time for the outside!

It was nice to finally be able to bring this whole space to life! My creative mind gets obsessed until I can get those ideas out of my head and simply waiting for the right time was very hard on me.

First thing I needed to do was put a roof on the space – the open air concept wasn’t going to work for how much it rains in Western PA. That involved using some existing frame work and building upon that to give me a clear roof. A roof that allows light in and also continues to give me privacy.

When that was finished, it was time to design all the sets that I had initially envisioned.

Please meet

The Goddess Garden

Within the garden, there are four different sets: The silver tub and hanging wisteria, the boho egg chair, the purple sofa and pink flowers, and the outdoor shower!

It’s an oasis. I sometimes find myself sitting out there to relax, and I often look around and am amazed at what the space has become.

The Goddess Garden is now a session add on. When you select this add on, you have access to all the sets out there and we can use as many as you wish for your photo session!

Here are two sets from the garden! I am constantly changing and adding things out there – much like the inside!

JOIN MY PRIVATE LADIES ONLY FACEBOOK GROUP!

You can now add The Goddess Garden onto your boudoir session!

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February 2, 2023

Your Strength

Strength

There are many ways to define strength, there are even more ways to identify that strength in your life.

Often times, you singularly focus on your strength when you are working your way through difficult events in life.

And, that’s certainly obvious. However, in your every day life, you exude strength. You simply have to take a closer look.

Strength is walking away from conversations that don’t serve you.

Strength is letting go of friendships that are not healthy.

Strength is following your heart when everyone else might say you are wrong.

Strength is admitting how you really feel instead of saying “I’m fine.”

Strength is crying when you need to instead of brushing everything off with a smile.

Strength is not retaliating when someone hurts you.

Strength is forgiving those that have hurt you, whether they feel bad about it or not.

Strength is communicating with others even when the conversations are difficult.

Strength is being honest about where you are in life.

Strength is saying “I can do this” in the face of fear.

Strength is sometimes simply getting out of bed.

Strength is focusing on your mental health.

Strength is having HOPE.

Strength is BELIEVING you are enough.

Strength is standing up for yourself when something is not good enough for you.

Strength is saying “enough is enough.”

Strength is not delaying all the things you want to do in your life.

Strength is reminding yourself, daily, how worthy you are.

There are many ways you can identify your strength. I hope that you can see all those things, because it doesn’t just exist within your trauma and pain. It exists within your life every single day. Don’t give your trauma and challenges all the power – YOU are the one fighting through that stuff. You are recognizing and believig your strength. YOU ARE DOING THAT!

YOU ARE STRONG

YOU ARE LOVED

YOU ARE WORTHY

YOU ARE ENOUGH

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December 1, 2022

What Do You See?

This is MY BUTT! Yes, my butt. I am using myself in this posing demonstration.

Showing you the different angles of you!

I talk often about how I get to show you all sides of yourself. When you look at yourself one dimensionally, you miss so much about yourself. That logic applies both physically and soulfully.

Let’s take MY booty as an example.

If you look at me straight on, it’s pretty flat.

(Go ahead, zoom in on that picture above and get a good look at my booty. I really want you to focus on what it looks like from this angle so you can appreciate what I am going to show you below)

I always say, “God blessed me with boobs, not a butt.”

My pants fall down cause there’s nothing back there to hold them up.

There’s not much to grab on to.

If I only look at myself from one angle, from one viewpoint, and only noticing what I don’t have…..I actually see nothing.

I miss what is there.

I fail to see the curves of my body, all my edges, the roundness.

But, from other angles and dimensions, BAM! I have a butt!!!!

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This is why my angles matter, posing matters, light matters, what you wear matters….it all matters so I can show you yourself, fully!

Let me do just that for you!

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Are you ready to see all the sides of yourself?

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November 24, 2022

What She Said

I thought I’d include some recent testimonials that have been posted in my Facebook group. While I don’t have permission to share their photos specifically (because my client’s privacy is important, and I only share photos I’m allowed to share), their words are still important. So here we go:

From K.T.

I have started this post a couple times trying to find the right words to express the incredible experience that is a photo shoot with Maura. Those of you who have had this experience know exactly what a monumental task that is.

My first shoot last year helped heal my confidence. My second shoot healed my soul. My super power this time was acceptance. Accepting all the pieces of me and seeing all of me as valuable; especially the parts I try to keep hidden.

This shoot was my gift to myself for my 40th birthday and what a perfect gift it was. I spent the last year of my 30s shedding other people’s expectations of me. Accepting that perfect is an illusion and there are no such things as “faults” just things that make us more interesting. All things Maura shouts from the rooftops!

She created an environment for me to open up and be myself. A place for my true self to shine and created works of art for me to have for the rest of my life. The self expression that she not only encouraged but celebrated was exactly what my soul needed.

I can never thank you enough

Know that the only risk you face going into a shoot with this incredible woman is that it won’t be your only one !

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From C.M.

This photoshoot was everything I needed after this year. I was nervous at first, but within the first 5 mins of shooting I felt completely comfortable. Maura is the best hype girl and makes you feel so confident. I spent years hating my body and now I have never loved it more. I’m so happy I finally decided to do a shoot with her. If you’re hesitant, all I can say is you won’t regret it. Thank you for doing what you do Maura McCarl Chick

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From D.S.

Signing up the day of open house was one of the best decisions I made. I told myself to just do it! The day of the photoshoot I was so nervous but when i showed up Maura just made me feel so comfortable and I’m usually just so shy at first. The photoshoot and Maura made me feel so much better and more confident!! Oh my goodness and at the reveal of all the photos i just fell in love with myself again! Maura told me don’t look at the flaws you always see look at everything about the photo. So anyone wanting to do a boudoir shoot! Just do it!!

I especially loved my booty pics!!

THANK YOU MAURA!!

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From J.R.

So this is what 50 is like…..

With age comes wisdom? I’ve learned that every woman is self conscious about something with her body. Every. Single. Woman. It’s so easy for us to see our own flaws. To focus on the negative. When Maura asked what I wanted from this session, I said I want to see what my husband sees. I want to see myself in someone else’s eyes.

So I got glammed up. Maura cheered me on all day. Her hoots and hollers made me feel comfortable. Made me feel glamorous! I see now it was more than those fake eyelashes I kept teasing her about all day. She truly is an artist! I put my trust in her to style me and she did not disappoint!!! Totally worth it and took the stress off finding outfits to fit in all the right places. Driving to my viewing tonight I kept thinking I’m going to hate myself in these photos. I feel like a busted can of biscuits today. Blah blah blah. When she showed me the first photo I cried. I couldn’t believe it. It’s like you focuses on all my good parts and the bad just fades away! If you’re on the fence, please don’t hesitate to book your appointment! Don’t be afraid to put your trust in Maura. I already can’t wait to book my next appointment! Maura, I can’t thank you enough!!! love love love how my photos came out!!!! Thank you!

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You Are Not Flawed

The Goddess Garden

The Goddess Garden

Your Strength

What Do You See?

What She Said

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