Ms. N and I went to high school together back in San Jose, CA. We didn't know each other too well back then, but in the years since we've kept in touch. After reading her AMAZING story which brought me to tears, I had to choose her as the winner. Ms. N is an amazing friend, mother, career-woman and just an all-around loving person. Another on of our girlfriends from high school came to help and we all had SUCH a fun, girly time shooting!
Since I was in CA for this shoot, I didn't want to haul my studio lights on the plane. So this entire shoot was done in natural light right in Ms. N's bedroom and I really love how soft the look of the images came out.
Ms. N has graciously allowed me to share her story with you and some of her gorgeous images. Thanks again Ms. N, you deserve it!
Why I Deserve a Free Boudoir Photo Shoot! by Ms. N
So, 500 words or less to say why I deserve a free photo shoot that would not only be sooo fun, but would make me feel great about myself? Where do I start?!
In July 2008 my life changed. Perhaps the most challenging, amazing change of my life occurred- I found out I was going to be a mom! The next 7 months were a bumpy road, and sad to say they did not get easier. My daughter was born 2 months early, and although I had amazing friends and family by my side, I survived that 1st year of my daughter's life as a single mom...it was hard! It is the hardest job I have ever had. Not only that, but that year with my daughter as my motivation, I also went back to finish school 3 months after she was born. I finished my last class, scored an awesome paid internship, and still graduated on schedule with my class at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco in October of 2009.
By January 2010, I was engaged to my daughter's father, living in San Francisco, and I thought things were really perking up for me. Several months after moving, I received an amazing job offer for a startup cupcake shop, the job of my dreams! I engrossed myself in this job and taking care of my fiancee and daughter. Days and weeks passed with me taking care of those around me, but never really taking care of myself. Then, my fiancee began treating me poorly, and I realized he had not changed one bit, the main reason he was not present for the first year of my daughter's life. This was just the begining of my realization that my life needed to change, It took complete intervention by my friends and family, and complete heartbreak, to see that being in San Francisco was not where I was meant to be and that my relationship with my fiancee was unhealthy and abusive.
So here I am September 2010. So much has changed, BUT I do know several things will remain embedded in my life.......that I am a strong, beautiful and confident woman, and I will be that woman everyday because I want my daughter to see that daily in her life. Also, that as a young single momma, it's ok to be stressed out, it's ok to ask for help, it's ok to need a little 'me' time, and that I need to take care of myself so that I can always be there 100% to take care of my daughter.
I believe I deserve a photo shoot because its time to do a little something for myself! I love The Boudoir Maven's classy photos, and their mission statement. If I do a photo shoot, it will be an awesome way to give me a confidence boost, and preserve my young sassy attitude so that years from now I can look back at them and smile. And who knows....someday some VERY lucky man may get to look at them too.
I truly do believe that our body is a temple, and I have done my very best to take care of mine and wear it with confidence and grace. And what's just as important is what is on the inside as well. I believe that becoming a mom and enduring all these struggles has made me a beautiful person inside and out and I thank God for that everyday. My life has been blessed for striving to be this kind of woman. Proverbs 31:30
Love you Ms. N!!!
love Ms N and love the photos!! good job friend!!
ReplyDeletethese turned out gorgie!!!
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