You Are a Beautiful and Powerful Woman - J’s Post-Op Boudoir Session
Women find themselves surrounded by examples of the “ideal body” and unattainable beauty standards every single day. As a boudoir photographer, it is my mission to make sure every client feels like the beautiful and powerful woman they are. This session with J was no different, and man did she rise to the occasion!
After being diagnosed with breast cancer, J went through treatment throughout the last year, including multiple surgeries. Left feeling like she needed a way to reconnect with her body, she reached out to me.
I’ll admit, after learning why J wanted this boudoir session, I was nervous! I wanted to make sure she loved her photos. I want all of my clients to love their photos, of course, but I definitely put a little extra pressure on myself with J’s session.
She’s a powerful woman…
I’ll never forget the emotions I felt listening to J’s story while she was in the makeup chair. She spoke about being diagnosed at 29 and going through her surgeries and treatment during COVID. The fact that it was during COVID meant no one could be with her, and she described her mother dropping her off and driving away while J walked in for her 5+ hour surgery. I learned about the things you would never think of, like being in Sephora looking at makeup to help her draw on the eyebrows she lost after chemo, and how she’s still getting to know her “new” body. J is a truly powerful woman!
We got started once J was all ready. The session was amazing. J’s beauty and power shone through immediately! She told me after that she had expected to feel uncomfortable during the session. Instead, she had felt comfortable the whole time. She was bummed when it was over! (And I was too!)
J appreciates her privacy, so I only have a few photos to share from this session. Even so, her story and this session was so powerful that I knew I had to share. She kept these images to herself, but I made sure to feature her scars in some of the photos. I want her to be able to look back on these photos and remember what she overcame. I want these photos to remind her what a warrior she is.
(Just so you know: you have full control over what happens to your photos. You get to decide if you want to let me use any photos for social media or blog posts. You can always keep them all to yourself!)
I’ll leave you with J’s own words,
because no one can tell her story like she can:
“As someone who spent the last year battling breast cancer (double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and hair loss) my confidence was at the lowest it had ever been. I knew that I needed to do something that was out of my comfort zone but allowed me to see my body in a different light. I found Jessica through Instagram and saw her work. I felt that this was what I needed, The Boudoir Project was going to be my leap of faith. As nervous as I was, I booked a date with Jessica and I am so grateful for every moment. She made me feel absolutely comfortable during the entire session. I didn't want it to end.
Then, came the day where she showed me my pictures. I cried. I felt so proud of myself and so incredibly grateful for the work Jessica did. She made me feel beautiful in my own skin. She made me feel like the warrior I have wanted to be. Please, if you have any doubts, still do this. Get your sexy suits (lingerie or birthday) and get yourself a session with Jessica. Those doubts will flutter away.”
If you’re a powerful woman looking for a way to celebrate yourself and your body, let’s chat!