Butterflies were racing around my tummy.
Goosebumps covered my body even though the heating was cranked up.
The photographer was a friend of mine - and I was excited - but yet I felt so nervous.
Why was I so nervous?
It's not like I didn't know what to expect.
Five years ago - after much thought - I decided to get half naked in front of the camera.
I put myself in your shoes and did a boudoir shoot - for me - and for you - okay, and for hubby!
So often - my clients would express how excited they were for their upcoming boudoir shoot.
But most of all - how nerves overwhelmed them!
"Don't be nervous" I would say!
But really, how could I actually say that, genuinely?!
As much as I knew that their shoot would be fun and relaxing, I had never been in their position and done a boudoir shoot myself.
They were about to 'bare all' (or some) in front of someone they had only just met - exposing themselves - being the focus and the whole point of this get-together - wearing very little, if not their birthday suit.
Of course they were nervous!
How could I be more empathetic?
And that was the answer - experience it for myself - put myself in their heels!
I actually thought it would have been a little easier for me - I knew what to expect - and I was in the company of a friend.
I was wrong - none of those things mattered in that moment - I was about to strip down and prance around in front of the camera - it was nerve-wrecking!
But why?
I am confident in my own skin.
I knew that my friend wouldn't be judging me.
I had 'paraded' around a beach in much less.
Why was I so nervous??
It is my job to pose women in flattering ways - to look through the lens or at a situation and know what works - for that person.
How on earth do I do that when I am the one in front of the camera - trying to be flattering?!
I can't - I have to TRUST the one behind the camera.
Trust that they are going to see the stray hair across my face, and correct it.
Trust that they are able to hide the inevitable folds and creases on our body.
Trust they will say, if needed, "you know, that pose is not actually working - let's try something else".
We are putting our 'lives' in someone else's hands - an expert.
We are out of control for that moment - and that, honestly, can be quite a scary thought.
BUT, within seconds of throwing my clothes on the floor (and getting into my pose) - I relaxed!
WOW! I felt AMAZING! It was so invigorating!
I experienced a whole new level of confidence - and it was so. much. FUN!
Suddenly, I felt myself enjoying the experience - realizing that it wasn't just about the images I would get to see at the end - truth was, I didn't want this wonderful afternoon to be over!
I felt beautiful in that moment - and that was enough!
So, after all that - hubby got some nice boudoir pictures of his wifey,
I got an amazing boudoir experience that I will treasure forever and definitely do again (and have done several times since then)
And you now get a genuine response from me - when you tell me how nervous you are for your boudoir session!
Let's just take those nerves - and roll with them!
And trust me - by the end of your boudoir session - you will posing like a Victoria Secret's model and wondering where that hour went...
…time flies when you are having fun!