How you speak about yourself in front of your daughters…
Teaches them how to view their own bodies as they develop into a woman. How are you teaching your girls? I’ll be the first to admit, I have not treated myself the best when it comes to the way my body looks. But I’m trying… it’s all part of my journey as a boudoir photographer.

I don’t really remember when it started, but I’ve always been self-critical when it came to my body. My stomach stuck out… two boys down the street said I had a “ghetto booty”… I remember not wanting to eat because I was afraid of putting on weight. I remember going into my mom’s bathroom to step on the scale and obsessing over the number it said.

This disgust with my body got worse as I got older, and started having children. I put on 75lbs during my pregnancy with my son. After he was born I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror. I literally starved myself for ten days doing a “cleanse” diet. IT WAS AWFUL. But I was super excited I got down to my prepregnancy weight and jeans!

Two years later I had another baby, my first daughter… put on another 85lbs and 10 months after that I had ANOTHER baby girl. (we lived in Korea and didn’t have cable 😉) I used to joke oh my rear got more pregnant than my belly! Because poking fun at myself was acceptable right?

Fast forward and those two beautiful little girls are growing up and becoming *insert horror music* PRETEENS. They mean the world to me! And they are so gorgeous. So imagine my horror and heartbreak when my eldest came to me and said: “Mommy, am I fat?” I was stunned. Of course, I told her how beautiful and smart she is. But it really got me thinking… and remembering how many times had she heard me complain about my weight? Or the times I’ve stayed home from going to the pool with them because I couldn’t bear to be out in public in a bathing suit. How many times had she heard me complain about my fat ass?

I KNEW right there and then that I needed to make a change in my own self-love and self-acceptance and definitely practice what I preach! I am way more positive in the way I speak about my body and saying it out loud has helped retrain my brain into actually believing it. I’m not going to lie to you and say I ooze with positivity… because I definitely don’t. I still struggle with it. Through having my own boudoir and glamour sessions I have experienced an unimaginable boost in confidence and I’m finally starting to see what it is my husband still loves about me after 15+ years.

We’re in this together! Through meeting all of the amazing women I’ve met and photographed, showing them their specialness, their beauty, their confidence… it is incredibly uplifting to myself as well!

Have you ever felt this way? I would love to help you find your self-love and acceptance and worth through an empowering glamour or boudoir session. Be sure to reach out today and schedule your complimentary consultation call.

Love,
Stephanie

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