Pittsburgh Boudoir Photography that empowers YOU to love yourself!

February 15, 2024

Badass

Embracing Your Badassery: Celebrating the Unstoppable Women We Are

In a world that’s constantly changing and evolving, it’s crucial for women to remind themselves of the sheer badassery that runs through their veins. We are amazing, unstoppable forces of nature, and it’s essential never to forget who we are.

Unveiling the Badass Within

Every woman carries a unique story, a tale of resilience, courage, and strength. Whether you’re a working professional, a stay-at-home mom, an entrepreneur, an artist, or all of the above, you are nothing short of amazing. Here’s why:

Multitasking Masters

Women are renowned for their exceptional multitasking abilities. We effortlessly juggle careers, families, passions, and dreams, often all at once. It’s like having a superpower that allows us to conquer every challenge life throws our way.

Compassion and Empathy

Our capacity for compassion and empathy knows no bounds. We build strong communities, offer unwavering support to those in need, and create a more compassionate world. Our kindness and understanding are catalysts for positive change.

Trailblazers and Leaders

Throughout history, women have shattered glass ceilings and blazed trails in industries once dominated by men. From politics to STEM fields, we continue to break barriers, proving that there are no limits to our potential.

Masters of Reinvention

Life is an ever-evolving journey, and women are masters of reinvention. We adapt, grow, and transform ourselves in the face of adversity. We rise stronger from every setback, always evolving into better versions of ourselves.

Embracing Your Unique Identity

In the midst of our busy lives, it’s easy to get lost in the demands of our roles and responsibilities. But it’s vital to remember that your identity is a mosaic of passions, dreams, and ambitions that make you unique.

Self-Care is Not Selfish

To preserve our inner badassery, self-care is a non-negotiable. It’s not selfish; it’s an act of self-love. Dedicate time to recharge, whether through meditation, exercise, creative pursuits, or simply indulging in your favorite activities.

2. Pursue Your Passions

Never abandon your passions or dreams. Whether it’s a hobby, a career goal, or a personal project, investing time in what you love keeps your spirit alive. It’s a reminder of who you are beyond your daily roles.

Surround Yourself with Support

Build a strong support network of friends and mentors who uplift and inspire you. Lean on these relationships when life gets tough, and never hesitate to seek guidance or encouragement.

Celebrate Your Achievements

Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Each step forward is a testament to your strength and determination.

The World Needs Your Badassery

As women, we are the architects of change, the nurturers of dreams, and the embodiment of strength. Never forget the incredible force that resides within you. Embrace your badassery, pursue your passions, and continue being the remarkable women that you are. The world needs your unique brilliance and unwavering spirit.

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February 8, 2024

Unashamed

In the realm of self-discovery and personal growth, there comes a moment when you release the heavy cloak of societal expectations and self-doubt to embrace our authentic selves. For me, that defining shift came with embracing the word “unashamed.”

A Past Veiled in Fear

There was a time when the fear of judgment shackled my spirit. I allowed the opinions of others to dictate my actions and silence my voice. I held back my dreams, afraid they wouldn’t measure up to someone else’s idea of success. In doing so, I was denying myself the freedom to express my truest self.

For the longest time, I held back a piece of who I am. I’d mute the creative projects I poured my heart into, shying away from the world’s gaze out of fear of judgment. It’s taken me a while, but I’ve come to a profound realization: this self-silencing hinders the positive impact I want to make in this world.

Whether it’s my unique photo shoot ideas, my courses, workshops, or classes, I grappled with a sense of shame stemming from what I believed others might think. That shame acted like a cloak, keeping me hidden from the world I was so passionately trying to shape for both myself and others.

It’s difficult to admit this, but I know I’m not alone in this struggle. So many of us have faced moments where we’ve doubted our own worth and stifled our aspirations. It’s an arduous journey to confront and overcome these fears.

Embracing the Unashamed

The journey to self-acceptance and embracing the unashamed spirit is an ongoing one. It’s about recognizing those fears, acknowledging them, and consciously choosing to push past their limiting boundaries.

For me, embracing “unashamed” means unapologetically being myself, sharing my dreams, and being honest about my feelings. It’s about standing tall, even if my ideas don’t resonate with everyone. It’s a promise to lead with my heart, knowing that my true calling is to help women feel good from the inside out.

My Calling: A Beacon of Positivity

I’ve realized that my true purpose is to infuse the world with love, positivity, encouragement, and acceptance. I want to constant impact the lives of women in so many ways! I am unashamed of this pursuit. My heart is set on spreading light and empowering others to embrace their unique beauty, strength, and resilience.

No longer will I allow the fear of judgment or the expectation of society to silence me. I won’t shame myself into silence. I will rise above those fears, empowered by the knowledge that being true to myself is the most authentic path I can take.

The Unashamed Journey Continues

Every day, I am learning to be more unashamed. It’s a journey of self-discovery, self-love, and resilience. I celebrate my progress and cherish the moments where I’ve courageously stepped into the light, unburdened by the shadows of doubt.

In this pursuit, I invite you to join me. Let us stand united, unashamed of who we are and what we bring to the world. Let’s celebrate our unique paths and inspire others to do the same. The world needs more authenticity, more courage, and more unashamed spirits.

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January 16, 2024

A Personal Share: How I Know I Have Body Confidence

Being a fat person, rollercoasters have always been a trigger for me.

Back when I was 15, I went to an amusement park because I loved rides. The adventure, the excitement, the thrills. I loved it all. Well, maybe not the standing in line for hours but everything else….yes please!

I remember this day like it was yesterday. It was one of those traumatic core memories.

I went to get on the Mean Streak, a wonderful wooden coaster, I sit down and, to my utter shock, I didn’t fit into the seat.

I could not, with any amount of wiggle or jiggle, fit my body into the seat. I contorted my body so that I was basically sideways but then couldn’t get the seatbelt to buckle. The safety inspector came by to make sure I was securely in my seat and told me I had to leave the ride. If I couldn’t fit in the seat, I had to go. I insisted I would be OK, I pleaded that I would hold on, I begged in telling him that it was fine, I could ride the ride. He insisted I leave as to not further delay the ride.

Ensue the dreaded walk of shame. As everyone watched, as everyone knew why I was leaving the ride, I stepped out of the car and took the lonely walk to the exit. Just as I started crying.

As my friends rode the ride, I found a tree to sit under and sobbed, deep guttural sobs. That’s when the negative talk in my head went into overdrive.

It sounded something like this: Why are you so pathetic? Why are you so fat? Why can’t you be better? Gosh, you’re ugly. Why can’t you get your act together and lose weight? You’re so stupid. You should be able to get thin. This is why you don’t put yourself out in the world: this rejection is brutal. This public shame is unbearable. Everyone will leave you behind. Fat, ugly, stupid, pathetic, pitiful, PIG. You disgust me.

It was all my fault. More definitively: it was my body’s fault.

Certainly, my body was the problem.

I chastised myself. I degraded myself. I hated myself.

My day was over. I couldn’t go on. I didn’t dare try to get on another ride and this happen again. Nope, not putting myself thru that one more time.

I cried the rest of the day.

I berated myself for weeks, months.

I spoke so negatively about myself and the way I looked that I can’t even imagine a single positive thought entering my mind at that time.

I didn’t eat anything for 5 days.

Hoping to make myself smaller for the world. Hoping that changing my body would prevent this from ever happening again.

Because in my eyes, my body was the problem. My body created this problem.

Everything about me was wrong, I felt terrible.

Fast forward a number *ahem* of years and it happened again. This time in front of my nieces during this Christmas.

We went to an amusement park for kids, my youngest niece loves it there, so I never miss an opportunity to take her. She wanted to ride the roller coaster. One that adults can fit onto as well. While standing in line, I asked one of the workers if I was ok to ride this ride. He confirmed yes.

The doors open and I stepped onto the ride, a little fear entered my mind. The seatbelt fit. Phew.

But then the security worker came around and pulled the overhead bar down. She pushed down and it wouldn’t click shut.

She asked me to sit up straighter. I did.

She pushed down again, and it wouldn’t click shut.

She put her whole weight into pushing the bar down, so hard I thought she was going to break my hips.

I said, “I can just get off.”

She pushed down even harder. I said again “I can get off the ride.”

For the second time in my life, I did a rollercoaster walk of shame.

I grabbed my shoes from the cubby holes and walked off the ride.

I was disappointed because I wanted to take that 20 second ride with my nieces.

I was disappointed because I love to see joy and excitement on their faces.

What I wasn’t disappointed in: MYSELF.

I wasn’t mad at my body.

This time around: What I didn’t do?

I didn’t cry.

I didn’t blame and shame my body for this.

I didn’t say one negative thing about my body, or the way I look.

I didn’t say I needed to lose weight.

I didn’t say I wasn’t going to get on another ride.

I didn’t run away.

I didn’t stop enjoying myself.

My body wasn’t the problem.

The roller coaster was the problem.

Let me repeat: My body was not the problem. My body was never the problem.

There was nothing for me to fix about myself, nothing to berate myself for, because I was not the problem in this situation.

My nieces got off the ride, I greeted them with hugs and laughs.

And, I got on the next ride with a smile on my face!!

They never once heard me say anything bad about myself. All they heard was that the bar of the ride couldn’t come down all the way. I didn’t say it was because of my size, I didn’t say I was too big, nothing about ME caused me to walk off the ride.

I showed those young girls how it’s done.

This photo was taken about 5 minutes after this experience.

It was great to have the evidence of the confidence shift in my life. It was amazing to have an experience like this to show me how much I have grown the relationship with my body. These experiences don’t define me, they give me opportunities for growth.

These things in life no longer shake me, they no longer have the power to me feel bad about myself. Yes, they are disappointing, but for far different reasons than they once were. They certainly don’t bother me nor control my life, the way I feel about myself or my thoughts and actions.

In order to make a shift in my confidence, to develop deep self love, and to have unashamed respect for myself, I had to shift th
e way I thought about these experiences in my life. I had to change the thinking that I am the problem, that my body was always at fault.

It is this work that has lead me to this place. A place of remarkable love and respect, a place of peace and comfort, a place of unstoppable confidence.

If you want this kind of confidence and love for yourself, I encourage you, from the depths of my soul, to enroll in my Self Confidence Course:

It has changed my life, it can for you too!

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November 2, 2023

What’s A Size?

How to Stop Being Concerned with the Size of Your Pants

We’ve all been there. We’ve tried on a pair of pants that we thought would fit perfectly, only to find that they’re too tight or too loose. And then we look at the size on the tag and feel disappointed or ashamed. But the truth is, the size on the tag doesn’t matter. Only you know that number, and it’s time to stop being concerned with it. Here’s how:

Focus on How Your Clothes Fit

Instead of focusing on the size on the tag, focus on how your clothes fit. Do they feel comfortable? Do they make you feel confident? If the answer is yes, then that’s all that matters. Clothes are meant to fit your body, not the other way around.

Cut Out the Size Tag

If the size tag is causing you stress or anxiety, consider cutting it out. You don’t need to know the size of your pants. You know how they fit and how they make you feel. Cutting out the size tag can be a small but powerful act of self-care.

Remember that Sizes Vary by Brand

It’s important to remember that sizes vary by brand. A size 8 in one brand may be a size 10 in another. Don’t get hung up on the number on the tag. Focus on finding clothes that fit your body and make you feel good.

Practice Positive Self-Talk

Negative self-talk can be damaging to your self-esteem. Instead of criticizing yourself for not fitting into a certain size, practice positive self-talk. Remind yourself that your worth is not determined by the size of your pants. You are beautiful and valuable just as you are.

Embrace Your Body

Your body is unique and beautiful. Embrace it. Don’t let the size of your pants define how you feel about yourself. Focus on the things you love about your body, and celebrate them.

The size of your pants doesn’t matter. Only you know that number, and it’s time to stop being concerned with it. Focus on how your clothes fit, cut out the size tag if it’s causing you stress, remember that sizes vary by brand, practice positive self-talk, and embrace your body. You deserve to feel confident and beautiful, no matter what size pants you wear.

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October 26, 2023

FAQ: Outfit Selection

Unleash Your Style: A Guide to Boudoir Outfits

One of the exciting aspects of a boudoir photography session is selecting the perfect outfits that make you feel confident, empowered, and beautiful. While lingerie is a popular choice, the possibilities for your boudoir outfit are endless. From comfy shirts to elegant silk dresses, it’s about choosing what resonates with your personal style and what makes you feel your best. In this FAQ guide, we’ll explore the variety of outfit options available for your boudoir session and how each choice can accentuate your unique beauty.

What types of outfits can I choose for my boudoir session?

At my boudoir photography studio, I believe in embracing your unique style and preferences. While lingerie is a common choice, you’re not limited to it. You can opt for shirts, suspenders, lacy bralettes, flowy silk dresses, comfy yet sexy robes, or even an oversized sweater—whatever makes you feel gorgeous and empowered. Don’t overlook different fabrics like lace, sequins, fishnet, etc! The possibilities are truly endless!

How do I decide on the right outfit for my boudoir session?

The key to selecting the perfect outfit is to choose something that reflects your personality and makes you feel confident. Consider the styles, fabrics, and colors that you love. Whether it’s something sultry, elegant, playful, or casual, the most important factor is that it makes you feel beautiful and empowered.

Can you provide guidance on outfit choices that will complement my body type?

Absolutely! I’m here to help you choose outfits that accentuate your unique features and make you feel your best. Whether you want to emphasize curves, create length, or highlight specific areas, we can recommend outfits that align with your preferences and body type. You always have access to my 400-piece wardrobe collection so you can check it out and pull things into your shoot that you might not have considered before.

Can I bring multiple outfits for my boudoir session?

Yes, definitely! In fact, we encourage it. Bringing multiple outfits allows for more variety in your photos, showcasing different sides of your personality and style. We can work together to plan how to incorporate each outfit seamlessly into your session. While we typically can get thru 3-5 outfits, I always suggest bringing 7 so that if something doesn’t work, we have more to choose from.

What should I consider when selecting colors for my outfits?

The color of your outfit can set the mood for your session. Bright, vibrant colors can evoke a playful and energetic vibe, while soft pastels or neutrals can create a more intimate and romantic atmosphere. Choose colors that resonate with you and make you feel confident and beautiful.

Can you help me style and accessorize my chosen outfits?

Absolutely! I’m here to assist you in putting together the perfect look. From suggesting accessories like jewelry and shoes to providing guidance on hairstyles and makeup that complement your outfit, we’ll ensure you look and feel stunning.

Boudoir photography is a celebration of your unique beauty and individual style. Your outfit choice plays a significant role in expressing your personality and empowering you throughout the session. We’re here to collaborate with you, helping you choose outfits that align with your vision and make you feel confident and beautiful. Remember, the sky’s the limit when it comes to outfit options—let your personality shine through and embrace the opportunity to express yourself during your boudoir session.

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Badass

Unashamed

A Personal Share: How I Know I Have Body Confidence

What’s A Size?

FAQ: Outfit Selection

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