Another set change for 2019 was the new grand mirror. I know you’ve seen some photos with it in other blog posts but here is one specifically for the mirror.
It’s a grand beauty….so is this hot and gorgeous woman!
House of Grey
Maybe it’s my obsession with keeping things fresh for me, or my obsession with shopping…..but, regardless….this new set design came about after I saw this chair at Target.
I was prancing around Target in my swimsuit (yes, true story) and went over to their outdoor section to take some photos. I spotted this beauty immediately and knew I needed to have her.
Then I looked at the price tag and the love affair ended before it began. It was $500.
There was a sale sign next to it – reduced to $300.
Maura typically buys things on the spot. She sees it, she loves it, she gets it. But for some odd reason, this time around I decided to think about it a little bit. I mean, it is an EXPENSIVE chair and I knew I’d have to build a set around it so I’d be investing more money.
I thought about it for a few days, then decided I’d purchase it. I went back to Target and it was gone. WAHHHH.
I looked online and it was there, but it was still listed at $500. So I walked away.
Could I afford it? Yes. Did I want it? Absolutely. But, I knew in my heart the timing wasn’t right.
About a month later, I was telling an amazing friend of mine about the chair….we were talking about it while I was waiting to photograph the birth of her third child! Yup, she’s in labor and I’m going on and on about this stinking egg chair.
A few weeks after the birth, this sweet friend of mine sent me a Target gift card to help offset the cost of the egg chair.
I AM TRULY BLESSED!
These amazing women in my life treat me so well and I am very humbled and forever thankful for what they do for me.
The chair arrived, and I put it together outside in 95 degree heat and humidity. Finally, the set came together with some privacy screens, a side table with decorations, some fringe, blankets and extra pillows, and the enormous amount of plant-life surrounding everything.
I LOVE IT! It looks absolutely amazing in photos and I certainly enjoy and appreciate this little set.
Here are some photos from one of the first sessions with the chair! It was an investment well made!
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Hard truth and vulnerability: I have been really struggling with my body image lately. In the last week, I’ve called myself hideous, disgusting, gross, old, ugly…it goes on.
This body acceptance journey is long and hard, full of ups and downs, forward progress, steps backwards, and it doesn’t discriminate. I am a LICENSED body positive facilitator and a CERTIFIED self love life coach (I have had so much education around this topic)….and I struggle. We all struggle. The fat phobia that exists in this world is real and it’s so deeply ingrained in us.
The important thing is that I can recognize when these thoughts start to happen, stop them in their tracks, and implement the practices that I TEACH to others.
One of the things I do when I’m feeling off with my own body image is look at a photo of a friend or one of my amazing clients (this photo on the red wall of my gorgeous friend and client is what I looked at tonight!). I then write down every single thing I’ve said about them while looking at the photo …. it’s all good things. I see their beauty, their heart, their soul, the passion, the confidence.
Then I go look at myself in the mirror and repeat those same things back to myself! I might not feel it, I might cry my way through it, or won’t even believe it yet, but this is my first step in getting my mind right. And I keep doing it until I start to sense a shift.
I encourage you to become aware of all the great things you say about others and turn those kind and encouraging towards yourself. ❤️
Enjoy some photos from a recent session. Yes, I do look at her photos, write down all the things I say, then go look at myself and say those things!
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I often talk about how one of the most beneficial outcomes of a boudoir session is that you begin to see yourself in a new way. You see yourself through my eyes. You start to see yourself the way everyone else sees you.
When I look at you, I don’t see the standard you hold yourself up to, all the failures and defeats, all the pain you have experienced. When you look in the mirror, you see all the hardships, the pain, the agony, poking and prodding at your body, wishing for things to be different, wanting these “flaws” to go away.
It’s hard for us to look in the mirror and not see those things, so it’s important to take some time to let someone show you what they see. I see a strong and radiant woman staring back and me and that’s all I want to capture!!
Today I’m thankful to be able to showcase a client who is the epitome of strength, beauty and radiance. She didn’t believe it until she saw it. So honored I could show her this side of herself!
Here’s what she shared on Facebook after her photo reveal!
” ‘You’ll never see yourself from this angle. You don’t see you the way I see you.’
She’s right. I don’t see myself the way Maura McCarl Chick does, but I am stronger seeing her version of me.
It is unbelievable the transformation that takes place during your time at Maura’s.
I really …. don’t have the right words. “
Here’s what she said about her shoot!
1) Why did you decide to invest in a boudoir photo shoot? Personal growth
2) How did you feel about yourself before your photo shoot? Not great
3) How did you feel about yourself after your photo shoot? Better, when I see the pictures.
4) Describe your session in 3 words? Better than imagined
5) What was your favorite part of the boudoir photo shoot? Just being with Maura.
6) What value do you think a boudoir session brings to your life and the community of women you support? Boosting confidence to every one who books one…. Just what women need. Confidence. Strength.
7) What would you say to other women who are considering a boudoir photo shoot? Go through with it
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I leave this entire post in her words, because you’d rather hear from her than me!
Here’s what she said in our private women’s only group on Facebook:
“HOLY EFFING COW! I HAVE NO WORDS FOR THESE WORKS OF ART! These are absolutely stunning! I still can’t even believe these are me! During my viewing today, I stared in amazement.. not just because of the pictures in front of me.. but because I could remember every picture being taken and the positivity and happiness that was flowing out of Maura’s mouth the entire shoot from behind the camera!
I have never felt so good about myself or so confident! I have struggled for years trying to love myself because like most women, I always see the thing that is wrong in the mirror.
Today, for the first time ever, I knew exactly what it felt like to LOVE myself and who I am as a person. Hands down my life was changed and I am forever Thankful for Maura!
To the Women out there that watch this page and admire all these women you see who book these sessions and think “I wish it was me”.. or “if I loose 30lbs I can do this and look like this”… WRONG! IT CAN BE YOU NOW AND IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE, I promise.”
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Here’s her post session interview:
1) Why did you decide to invest in a boudoir photo shoot? Self appreciation /hubby happiness
2) How did you feel about yourself before your photo shoot? Timid. Okay at times. Conservative
3) How did you feel about yourself after your photo shoot? Confident. Flawless. Beautiful. Capable
4) Describe your session in 3 words? Empowering. Amazing. Fun
5) What was your favorite part of the boudoir photo shoot? Pirate [That’s an inside joke]
6) What value do you think a boudoir session brings to your life and the community of women you support? Empowerment. The feeling of being able to feel beautiful regardless of hair, makeup, or clothes. It shines Through all the time.
7) What would you say to other women who are considering a boudoir photo shoot? Maura takes every tiny insecurity you may feel you have and makes you forget you ever had doubt about yourself. She makes you feel flawless, beautiful, and empowered. The sun was brighter when I woke up the next morning after my first shoot because you see things differently once you have the power to love yourself in a world full of uncertainty. Is something you can control.
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