I had the immense pleasure of sharing the boudoir experience with this woman for the third time, though she’s been in front of my camera more times than that.

The growth that I’ve seen in her has been truly remarkable.  When I talk about boudoir changing your life, I mean it from the depths of my soul.  She is proof.

Life has dealt her a hard blow over the last year and a half.  But, deep down, I still she that strong, powerful, UNSTOPPABLE woman standing in front of me.  She likes to tell me that she’s a strong woman because a strong woman raised her.  Couldn’t be more true!

I’ll leave the rest of this post in her words.

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Here’s what she shared in my private women only group on Facebook:

“I had my viewing for my third & Facebook Live shoot today. Again, I’m completely amazed by Maura & her magic. To the ladies that havent experienced Maura Magic, I wanted to say what it is to some of us.

Maura Magic is the hug you get as soon as you step in her house. Maura magic is being pampered with not only hair & makeup, but a day that’s 100% revolving around you. Maura Magic is stripping down to bra & panties in front of Maura, nerve wrecking, to say the least, yet so freeing!! To be able to stand in front of Maura & be welcomed, as you are, without judgement & so much love is Maura Magic. Leaving with a soul that’s ignited & powerful, a soul that’s always been there just forgotten, is Maura Magic. You’ve stepped outside of your comfort zone & grown so much in just a couple hours, that is Maura Magic. A couple weeks later viewing pictures from that day, reliving each & every glorious moment is Maura Magic!

And, here’s her post shoot interview:

1) Why did you decide to invest in a boudoir photo shoot?  It’s a year of ME. I’ve been focusing on putting myself first, loving myself & being there for me, myself & I. To continue on my self love journey I wanted to push myself, again outside of my comfort zone.

2) How did you feel about yourself before your photo shoot?  I had good & bad days. Day of the shoot I was questioning why I agreed to do a LIVE Facebook shoot, but a year of me meant pushing myself to continue to grow.

3) How did you feel about yourself after your photo shoot?  AMAZING!!! On fire!! Unstoppable!

4) Describe your session in 3 words?  Spectacular – hot – growth

5) What was your favorite part of the boudoir photo shoot?  Shooting outside, never had a boudoir session outdoors.. boy was it FIRE!!

6) What value do you think a boudoir session brings to your life and the community of women you support? I feel that boudoir is a freeing experience that pushes you outside of your comfort zone. You leave with a new sense of yourself, that’s always been there, but forgotten or overlooked in the busy day to day life. It’s amazing to experience it for yourself, but it’s also fantastic to see others do & experience the same!

7) What would you say to other women who are considering a boudoir photo shoot?  Do it! You won’t regret it! Don’t feel like you need to drop a couple pounds or be a certain size you’re perfect as you are. Do yourself a favor & experience it

I took a small break from blogging sessions recently.  I have been so insanely focused on my sessions that I haven’t found the time to keep the blog updated.

Time.  It’s a funny thing.  We all feel like we don’t have enough time.  Not enough time to do all the things we want to do, that we expect ourselves to do, that others request us to do.  We can’t make time – we’re all given the same 24 hours in one day.

One of my friends posted a meme on Facebook that said, “trying to be a good mom, wife, friend, family member, drink enough water, exercise, cook, clean, text everyone back, stay sane, survive and be happy.”  It was accompanied by a photo of Cruella DeVille.

I thought to myself, “well, gosh.  We can’t do it all. Stop expecting yourself to do everything and be everything to everybody.”

  And I think that’s what my friend was expecting of herself.  She wants to be perfect and have time for everything.  But, we don’t have time for EVERYTHING.  What you do have is enough time for the things that are the most important to you.

That’s essential for you to remember.  You always have time for that which is most important.  And, I think that should be our focus – what is important?  That’s where you should spend the most of your time.

Stop giving half of yourself to all the things.  Give your whole self to the most important things!

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Now I share with you this beauty’s session, and the special item of her husband’s that she wanted to incorporate into her session.  Here’s what she said about her session:

1) Why did you decide to invest in a boudoir photo shoot?  For myself

2) How did you feel about yourself before your photo shoot?  Not very beautiful

3) How did you feel about yourself after your photo shoot?  Wonder woman

4) Describe your session in 3 words?  Exciting, lifting and empowering

5) What was your favorite part of the boudoir photo shoot?  Maura magic

6) What value do you think a boudoir session brings to your life and the community of women you support? Confidence

7) What would you say to other women who are considering a boudoir photo shoot?  Do it.

Creativity comes in all forms for me. I saw this feather collar while doing some online shopping and knew immediately that I’d be able to make a shoot out of it!!

The rest of the outfit came together just as perfectly, and immediately new who I wanted to wear it all!

As a creative person (dare I say artist), it’s hard to focus on anything else when an idea like this comes into my mind.  It’s all I can think about until I finally make the vision come to life.

You always worry whether it will live up to the way you’ve hyped it up in your mind because that vision is so specific.  This did not disappoint.  It was everything I had wanted it to be and so much more.

Hair and makeup by the magical Kristen Tatko.  I love having Kristen on my team.  She helps me execute my visions perfectly.  Whether I throw sometime like this at her or something totally off the wall, she jumps right in and supports the vision.

The outdoor location was perfect as well.  For next year, I’m allowing clients to add on an outdoor portion of their session – something that was typically only reserved for repeat clients.

Here are some images from our session together.

In January, I had this crazy idea pop into my head.  As with all my crazy ideas, I need to recruit people to help me.  Immediately, all my past clients popped up into my head.

I wanted to execute an EPIC photo (that’s what I told them it was called) that showed a group of my clients.  This photo would showcase that I’ve worked with every body type, every skin color, every abnormality we can point out in our body, every age, every walk of life.  They are all represented in my work.  I hear a lot from potential clients, “Oh, I don’t look like the women in your photos.”  AH, yes.  Yes you do!  This is evidence of that FACT.

I emailed all my past clients (the hundred of them!) and asked them if they’d be interested in participating, and this amazing group of women showed up on the day of the event.  I will call it an event because Maura Chick (that’s me) doesn’t just take a photo – it has to be something special, something memorable for these women.  Because every moment of every day I want to have an impact on someone’s life.  So, what was an EPIC photo turned into a client appreciation event.  After we took some photos, we all sat down on blankets and had a picnic.  I had some catered food, plus a few things I made and we just enjoyed a summer evening together.

When I was going through my education to become a certified self love life coach, I was asked, “When do you feel the most loved?” And, in being truthful, I couldn’t answer it.  It brought me to tears.  How can one not know when they feel the most loved?!?  A few days later it hit me like a ton of bricks.  I feel most loved when women come together to support, encourage and uplift each other.  I’m sure you can gather, at this event, I felt loved.  These women that I’ve poured my heart and soul into in preparation for their session, during their session, and the time that has followed since their session came together to support the vision and each other.  The love fest was felt by all, especially me.

Thank you to these incredible women for spending some time with me, and helping any future clients get over the feelings like they could never be like the ladies in my photographs.