Pittsburgh Boudoir Photography that empowers YOU to love yourself!

November 22, 2018

You’re Going to Rock It

I had a client recently who said she was so timid to book because she felt so bad about herself. I told her that I want to photograph women when they feel the worst about themselves. It’s my passion & mission in life to help women see their true selves and watch that radiant light beam from them. During the toughest times of your life is when you need it the most. If you feel like shit, I want to show you how amazingly stunning you are. So, if you are waiting until you lose weight, or you don’t have someone to give the photos to, or you just got divorced, or you broke up with someone, or dealing with depression, or not feeling good enough — STEP IN FRONT OF MY CAMERA. I want to help you see your essence! When you feel the worst – that’s when you need someone to jump in and show you how they see you!

So, now I leave you this blog post in the words of this beautiful woman (not the one mentioned above). Enjoy what she had to say and the encouragement she gives you!

lingerie photos pittsburgh at boudoir studio near beaver PA

1) Why did you decide to invest in a boudoir photo shoot? Given others who have experienced the fabulousness that is Maura I just knew this would be the way to Celebrate my 40th & STILL GOT IT BIRTHDAY!

lingerie photos pittsburgh at boudoir studio near beaver PA

lingerie photos pittsburgh at boudoir studio near beaver PA
2) How did you feel about yourself before your photo shoot? A women who didn’t even know how to put on lingerie. (Maura saw this 1st hand during my planning session.) Most comfortable in my sports bar & sweats. Rarely glamorous!

intimate photos pittsburgh woman on bed in lingerie

3) How did you feel about yourself after your photo shoot? FABULOUS, the Maura EXPERIENCE IS REAL! Most IMPORTANTLY I felt impowered, rejuvenated & loved.

4) Describe your session in 3 words? Empowering Rejuvenating FABULOUSNESS

5) What was your favorite part of the boudoir photo shoot? Maura’s POSITIVE ENERGY! YES, it’s CONTAGIOUS!

6) What would you say to other women who are considering a boudoir photo shoot? Yes, before you walk through the door there is nervousness, apprehension & worry BUT when you’re welcomed with a big hug those fears begin to subside & it’s just pure excitement from thereon. YOU DESERVE THIS. YOU NEED THIS! YOU’RE GOING TO ROCK IT!

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November 15, 2018

Don’t Even Hesitate

We all have a piece of gold inside of us. Often times we don’t see it, but it’s always there. It sneaks out every time you give someone a compliment or offer assistance to others or encourage someone who is struggling or when you reach out to someone who says they are ok but you sense they are not. These are the times that gold inside you sparkles! All you have to do to shine more is do more of these little things that let people know you care, that they feel your love for them, and that in turn makes you feel like you are enough for those around you, but especially yourself. If you can’t see that gold inside of you, I’m here — ready to show it to you.

I now leave this blog post to this gorgeous beauty. She came as a surprise for her fiancé – she did admit that she never wears makeup and this was a huge step out of her comfort zone. She rocked it though!! Enjoy some photos from her session….take her advice – DON’T EVEN HESITATE to book your boudoir session! It’ll be worth it – I promise!

1) Why did you decide to invest in a boudoir photo shoot? I invested in the boudoir shoot for a surprise for my fiancé as his wedding present!

2) How did you feel about yourself before your photo shoot? I felt ok with myself, your normal everyday insecurities, mom gut, and all!

3) How did you feel about yourself after your photo shoot? Literally amazing. Like a whole new person! I still do, to this day!

4) Describe your session in 3 words? Fun, exciting and bomb!!!

5) What was your favorite part of the boudoir photo shoot? Definitely Connecting with Maura !

6) What would you say to other women who are considering a boudoir photo shoot? To DO IT!!!! don’t even hesitate!!!

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November 8, 2018

Liberating, Empowering, DAMN!

There’s not much I can add to this amazing woman’s story, so here she is in her own words! Take her advice!

1) Why did you decide to invest in a boudoir photo shoot? I had done one previously with a national company. And while the pictures turned out nice there was definitely something missing. A friend of mine told me about Pics by Chicks and Maura and it peaked my interest. After looking through multiple gorgeous photos I decided that it was time for me to redo my photos the right way. I had also just celebrated my one year Anniversary of a life-changing decision. In May 2017 after years of struggling with my weight and knowing that my health was deteriorating much like that of the family members I decided to have weight-loss surgery. I’ve lost over 130 pounds. Having the photo shoot was my way of validating the work that I’ve put in to myself.

2) How did you feel about yourself before your photo shoot? Unsure, skeptical, good, healthy, beautiful, ok… I felt a lot of different ways about myself. I feel better and clothes than I ever did, but naked I was very unsure. Weight-loss surgery isn’t a magic fix it doesn’t change the way you look at yourself… I feel great but my head still struggles to understand the change.

3) How did you feel about yourself after your photo shoot? It was definitely enlightening. What I can say is if you have your photos taken no matter how you are feeling when you walk in that house if you do not walk out standing a little taller with your chin propped up a little bit more then there is something wrong and no amount of make up or posing for pictures is going to change that. Because behind those doors is a woman that empowers you in a way I cannot put into words. I walked out of my photo shoot standing taller and maybe even a little cocky but in such a good way. Feeling that way about yourself is something that I can only say I felt maybe one or two times in my entire life and it feels so so good.

4) Describe your session in 3 words? Liberating Empowering DAMN!!!!

5) What was your favorite part of the boudoir photo shoot? That’s not fair! I loved it all. The conversation, contortioning, laughter… it was all amazing. To trot around a house in almost nothing ( and at some points nothing ) and be completely comfortable says something about the environment. Maura never makes you feel out of your element! You feel accepted, beautiful and completely comfortable…that’s the favorite part.

6) What would you say to other women who are considering a boudoir photo shoot? Why haven’t you booked! While the finished product will be presented to my husband, this entire experience was completely for me and I loved every single second.

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November 7, 2018

Souls On Fire Feature: Terra

Terra is one amazing woman that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for years now. Like most of the women in this self love photo shoot, I met Terra when she came to me for a boudoir session almost 5 years ago. I never forget my clients – EVER! So, when she applied for the group shoot, I knew she’d make a great fit. Terra came to me all those years ago for a boudoir as a wedding gift, but many years later that marriage broke apart as she found the courage to move on from something that wasn’t healthy. I applaud women who can do that – it takes strength and gusto to stand up and walk away from something that you’ve been conditioned to accept as love. As I’ve shared my own story of emotional abuse on the blog, I know that the scars and pain from that situation is silent. You don’t have a physical representation of the hurt that is being done to you – it’s all internal, which makes it hard to deal with. I’m glad that she stands up for herself now, believes in who she is, and knows that there is no limit to her potential! I love this woman to pieces.

Here is her Souls On Fire Story:

The theme “Souls on Fire” could not fit my life more perfectly. The past few years of my life have been a whirlwind of emotion, pain, change, and growth. It hasn’t always been easy or pretty, but every single piece has sculpted who I am today.

I spent two and a half years in an emotionally abusive marriage. It took me a long time to feel comfortable calling it abusive, probably because so many people close to me didn’t believe me. Everything was subtle and gradual. Every demand, every accusation. Everytime I spoke up about it to family and friends, it was blown off. I started to think that I deserved it. I started to genuinely hate myself and who I was becoming. If you have a jar of marbles and someone steals one at a time, who would ever notice? But eventually, if this continues, the jar will be empty. I think that’s the best way to describe what happened to me. By the time I decided to leave, the jar was empty. I was completely lost. There was nothing left of who I was.

Nonetheless, I dusted myself off and started over. Less than a month later, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had almost lost her to mental health problems a few years before, so it completely rocked my world. (After a partial mastectomy and multiple radiation treatments, I am fortunate enough to say that she is now cancer free.)

I also met an amazing man, and not long after, we decided to start a family. Pregnancy was another rough part of my journey. I suffered through terrible depression both during pregnancy and postpartum. Childbirth also didn’t go as planned. After 26 hours of labor and refusing an epidural, I ended up needing an emergency C-Section. I planned to breastfeed my son through his first year, but the combination of having mastitis twice, severe lack of sleep, and suffering from debilitating depression proved to be too much for me. I struggled so much the first few months because I felt like I was failing at everything a mother should be able to do.

Fast forward to now. Life has finally afforded me the time to process all of the things that I’ve gone through over the past five years. I’m able to look back and see strength and resilience instead of pain and weakness. I’ve learned that you cannot let your failures define your self worth. Today, I am genuinely happy. Today, I am proud of how far I’ve come. I can finally say that I am confident in who I am and the decisions I make. A phoenix rises from the ashes, but you can’t be afraid to light the match.

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November 4, 2018

Souls On Fire Feature: Erica

I was so excited when Erica applied for the self love photo shoot! I met Erica when she came to me for her daughter’s photos, and since that moment I have adored this woman. Erica works so hard at raising two loving, sweet and confident girls. I love how open and honest she is with them, and I have to say – she’s doing a GREAT job! I want to tell her every day how amazing she is and how much I respect and admire her. She has a soul that shines thru in everything she does, and she’s been so caring and compassionate with me personally that I know she’s this way with others too. Thank you, Erica, for allowing me to be a part of your life and getting to share so many wonderful experiences with you. Thanks for always trusting me – even if it involves wedgies and duct tape! 🙂

Here is her Souls On Fire Story:

I spent most of my life feeling very insecure about myself. My middle/high school years had a big impact on me, but not in a good way. I never felt like I fit in, I was socially awkward, and extremely insecure about my looks. I’ve always felt very self-conscious in large groups of people (self-described ‘awkward girl in the corner’), and have never had very many friends.

I’ve worked very hard to shed ‘that girl’. To become comfortable in my own skin, and feel good about who I am. But the real turning point, my step out of the fire, was the birth of my first daughter. I realized that I am her #1 role model. I am the person she will look at first. She’ll take her cues from me. I need to show her how to be confident in herself, how to feel good about who she is, inside and out.

Since then, I’ve finally begun to shed ‘that girl’. I’ve gotten to know and understand myself better. Instead of constantly comparing, I’m realizing that it’s okay to not enjoy large groups of people. It’s okay to have a small – and beyond amazing – group of close friends. It’s okay to say no, to stand my ground, and not ‘go along’ just to attempt to fit in. My body may not be my ideal ‘look’, but it’s an amazing thing. It brought two beautiful, wonderful girls into this world … and, for that, I will love it always.

‘That girl’ still pops up every now and again, but I’m stronger now. I’m fighting that girl for me and my daughters. The more I can project self-confidence on the outside, the more I feel it on the inside. So that is my Soul on Fire.