Ideas strike at the most bizarre times for me. I could be seconds from falling asleep, taking a shower, or simply day-dreaming. When a big idea comes rushing to my mind, I have to stop everything I am doing to write it all down or I will more than likely forget a lot of it. With my big move to New York City, I knew all along that I wanted to take my boudoir photography a little more seriously. I wanted to give it the love and effort it truly deserved. Last year was the first year I started shooting boudoir sessions and I instantly fell in love with everything about it. In school, my main focus was fashion photography where most of the time I was just working one-on-one with a female model. Ever since then I have been so comfortable and inspired by working with a woman’s body in a way that flatters her best. Boudoir has been the closest thing to where my passion for photography originally started years ago. It’s a beautiful mix of not only working with a subject I am comfortable with, but working with every day women who share and experience the same struggles/challenges that a lot of us do…but never talk about.
Getting real on you for a hot second. I’ve struggled with body image and self-consciousness for as long as I can remember. As I get older, I am slowly starting to embrace the things I’ve always viewed as “flaws”…learning to love myself and to know exactly what I am worth. That no one can tell me what being a woman truly means or what she is suppose to look like in this crazy world we live in. Don’t get me wrong, I still struggle more than I like to admit but the truth is this…through doing boudoir photography and working with ALL sorts of different women, I have learned so much about myself. These women who trust me to capture them in their most raw form…their most vulnerable state…they deserve a standing ovation, a round of applause, the gold medal prize. They deserve to be recognized and admired for their courage and beauty. I am forever grateful to all the women who have let me capture them and are the true reason for where this idea began to grow.
So here it goes. Through encouraging words from not only clients, but friends and other photographers, I’ve been given the confidence that I really CAN do this. I know I didn’t need the stamp of approval from anyone but myself, but it sure does help knowing when others can see your heart through your work and they actually reach out to tell you so. I feel very lucky for the people who have encouraged me to recognize my passion for this project and power forward, not worrying about what some people may say or think. So with much excitement, I introduce to you my baby of a project. . .
LA FEMME FORTE.
A project from my heart. One that is meant to last for years to come. One that I view as more of a mission and a movement for woman than just photography. One that I am truly passionate about. A project that has potential to grow into something far bigger than what I can imagine. Whether you are a man or woman, if you believe women are beautiful no matter their color, shape, size, “flaws”….please feel free to share this project with the women in your life. I’m so excited to partner with like-minded bad-ass women across the country, share their stories, and encourage ALL WOMEN to live a life full of confidence, worth, power, and damn straight sexiness. Let’s do this.
I can’t even begin to express how excited I am that for my first round of La Femme Forte I will be partnering with my beautiful friend Joanne, also known as GOFITJO. This woman inspires me like no other. I truly look up to Joanne and try to learn from her positivity on the daily. She has a heart of gold and the determination like no other. She is the perfect example of La Femme Forte and if you aren’t already following her and her fitness journey, PLEASE do. You can keep up with Joanne on her BLOG or follow her on Instagram @gofitjo Joanne is going to be such a key person in our first stop in San Francisco and I’m so excited for the girls who sign up to hear her story and be just as inspired as I am by her! So if you are in the area, BOOK YOUR SPOT SOON!!!
HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you to my main chick, Carina! Not only did she do all the wonderful design work for this project but she has been such an amazing encourager throughout this crazy process. I’ve had some highs and lows with this project and she was there every step of the way to remind me that I am capable of doing this! Literally could not have powered through without her friendship and killer eye for design. She knows me and my taste OH SO WELL! Love you Carina.
YESS!! I’m so happy you launched! So proud of you. You are amazing at this work, and I can’t wait for this mission to take life and reach new heights! No limits. Love you!
Gah!!! LOVE THIS. Can you please come to Vancouver ?? Puhlease??!! Can’t wait to see your photos – your boudoir work is truly stunning and it’s on my bucket list to be photographed by you at some point!
You are so good at photographing women. So glad you’re doing this!!
Your work is incredible!! So inspiring!