It's More Than Just a Boudoir Shoot With Ms. L

What Inspired you to book a boudoir photoshoot?

The year before my photoshoot - almost to the date - I had a bad manic depressive episode that landed me in the hospital. When I was released I didn't really know what to do with myself and ended up moving out of the city to recover and start rebuilding my life. Aside from being mentally out of shape, I had given up most physical activities because I simply didn't care anymore. I'll restrain from noting my weight, because ultimately, the number doesn't matter, suffice it to say, I was very unhealthy in every regard. I started going to the gym, mostly because I was freakin' bored out of my mind, but I began to notice a huge difference in my mental stability. I committed to making exercise a daily prescription for my mental health. 2016 brought on a lot of challenges and the metamorphosis that I experienced is pretty indescribable. One day, I looked at myself in the mirror and I couldn't believe the image that I saw reflecting back at me. I just burst into tears because the weight I had shed represented so much more than fat turning into muscle. I've always had a love for boudoir photography; there's something beautiful and inspiring about women who can be so vulnerable in front of a camera. With the anniversary of my hospitalization rolling around, I was afraid of what would be triggered and pretty unsure of how I would react. Contrary to my expectations, I found myself renewed and invigorated. I found that I actually wanted to celebrate the past year of my life instead of mourning how far I had fallen. I decided that the way I wanted to commemorate my transformation was to get in front of the camera and bare *almost* all. I lost a sh*t ton of weight, but more significantly, I'm living a more empowered life now, and that's what inspired the search for a boudoir photographer.

What made you choose Demi Girl for your boudoir photos?

This was a pretty big deal for me, it was more than a photoshoot so I did a lot of research before I reached out to Demi Girl. Even without reading the reviews I felt a positive vibe resonate from the website. Viewing the gallery I could tell how much fun those girls were having, I could feel the confidence radiating through the photos, and they were just so classy and tasteful with the right amount of sexy that I knew I wanted to be in front of *that* camera. Directing a shoot is not easy, but based on the images, I knew whoever was behind the camera knew what she was doing. In a more tangible sense, the price was great for a quality product. Some companies required that you rent a hotel room, some didn't include hair and makeup, some were outrageously priced for what was included (or rather, for what wasn't), and some just seemed downright sketchy. There were a lot of factors, but ultimately, it just felt right. The fact that Adrienne's bio mentioned that she's from Wisconsin didn't hurt either. #CheeseheadsStickTogether ;)

What did you like best about your boudoir experience with Demi Girl?

It was so. much. fun. I don't really think I need to elaborate much more than that. I felt so sexy, I found a new appreciation for models, and Adrienne was just a blast to shoot with, we laughed, shared wine, and just really clicked. It was an unforgettable experience, simply put.

Did you have fun or were you super nervous?

I was super nervous, but I was super excited, and within moments of chatting with the Demi Girl ladies, the nerves dissipated and the excitement took over.

Did this experience help give you a more positive perception of the way you see yourself?

Absolutely. I've always struggled with my body image. Even when I was training to be an Olympic swimmer, in the pool twice a day, I was never "model size". I've always been a bit too bootylicious, always too broad to be delicate and feminine, always too goofy to be gorgeous, always just a bit too big, or weird, or any other horrible thing I could think of. This experience will always stay with me. I don't think there will ever come a time when I can see myself as beautiful on the daily, but for those days when I don't, I have these pictures to remind me. No matter how much I work out, I will never be a size 2, and these pictures help me see just how lovely my curves are. I absolutely LOVE being a curvy girl! I've even told my trainer that if I lose my booty, I'll find someone else to train with, she's been happy to oblige.

Do you see yourself booking another boudoir photoshoot in the future?

Most definitely. I think it would be such a cool way to chronicle different life stages, and experiences. I know each shoot will be different and amazing.

What would you say to anyone that's thinking about booking a shoot but their nerves are keeping them from making the call?

The best way to get over your fears is to face them, and if this is something you want to do for you, it promises to deliver. I'd encourage every woman to do a shoot like this. The reason why this works is that the experience is catered to *you*; what you want to wear, what hair and makeup express your tastes, your personality, your sense of style, what poses complement the curvature of your body, even the music played is picked by you. It is all done to bring out the best in you. Though I gifted the book to my partner, the experience was for me, and I think that played the biggest role in easing my nerves. This was an investment I put into myself and that's what made this photoshoot so empowering, and so well worth it.