The Blog: Denver, Colorado Boudoir Photographer: Breast Cancer Awareness Month Giveaway Winner!

Back in October, we ran a contest for breast cancer survivors and current fighters, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The winner won a FREE Bombshell Shoot. This is our largest package and includes hair and makeup, 4 outfits/ sets and a music video of their photos. We had a lot of amazing entries, but Ms. L won out in the end. It took us awhile, but the four of us (Melina, Lindsay, Ms. L and I) were finally able to find a day to come together for this shoot.

Between the mimosas, pampering and gorgeous collection of lingerie Ms. L brought, we had a blast and shot for over 2 hours!! Ms. L was kind enough to let us share her photos and her story. Thank you Lindsay and Melina for volunteering your amazing services. And thank you Ms. L for being so open and sharing your story with all of us. It was a great day!!

Ms. L's Story
On September 13, 2003 I woke up, got my two daughters off to school and came home to take a shower and do what any single mom does on her day off…. In the shower I was doing my self-exam when I felt something that I had never felt before. I got out of the shower and went to call the doctor. They told me I could head over to see them right away. The doctor felt it too and tried to make me feel better by saying that it could be scar tissue. .. but knowing me he advised that I go get a mammogram.

They took me back, did the imaging and then the radiologist came into the room and let me know that he was glad that I had come in that day. From what he could see I had two lumps that were cancerous. He was kind about what he had to say and the nurse gave me a hug and helped me to my dressing room. I made an appointment that day to have them removed.

I drove home, walked into my apartment and stood there for a moment. I then noticed that there was a noise coming from my bathroom…. In my rush to get to the doctor's office I had not turned off my shower…...funny what can happen when you are focused on something else!

That night I had a family dinner. I let my family know that I had breast cancer and that I was going to have surgery in a few days, but that on the 17th I was going to have my 32nd birthday, and that I wanted the family there and that I wanted chocolate cake….

I let my daughters know that I was not going anywhere. It had just been two years since the girls and I had settled the divorce, and they were just getting use to it just being the three of us….

The surgery was a lumpectomy. Then the radiation started. I had 65 treatments and developed an infection in my blood and lymph system.

It was a long year but I got through it with the love and support of my family and friends. And today, seven years later, you would never know that I was ever sick. I'm still here and I feel very blessed.