"If you want something you've never had before, you have to be willing to do something you've never done before." - N. Peseschkian.
Becky is from a small, relatively conservative town in West Virginia. She is a devoted mom and a loving wife, who is also, at the age of 44, finally winning her battle against depression. She got in touch with me in late July, one week before a celebratory “try new things” trip to Los Angeles. She wanted to know about booking a glamour and boudoir session.
Her email read: I can't stand to have my picture taken. But have always wanted a reason to dress up, look nice...I want to overcome my fear of pictures and prove to myself that I can look good...
We spoke for the first and only time on a Saturday. By Sunday evening she had photos of new outfits for me advise her on and by Tuesday, two days before her flight, she'd hit Victoria Secret and bought lingerie for the first time in her life. She was a woman on a mission, committed to pushing her own personal boundaries.
This is Becky's experience in her own words:
I suffered with anxiety and depression but it was getting better. And I realized how much I was missing out on life. I decided to take a trip that would be about doing things that make me uncomfortable. I had never flown before and I wanted to go to LA on my own.
My friends and family were nervous but I knew I needed this time out. I have never been daring. I was raised with this idea that you don’t show yourself. I was always self conscious about my body. It took me 17 years before I was comfortable being naked in front of my husband. So I was considering doing a boudoir shoot and that’s how I found Nicolette.
To say doing a photoshoot is out of my element is an understatement. I don’t wear makeup. My hair is always in a ponytail. I basically live in sweats and t-shirts. And I’ve never seen a photo of myself that I liked. I’ve always thought I looked twice my size. I know it’s in my head but I could never get past it.
When we got to the studio I was a little nervous but that didn’t last long. Nicolette was patient and my being photographed first in a dress really helped to put me at ease.
When it came time to switch into the lingerie, I had no doubts at all that I wanted to do this. I didn’t know what to do or how to act sexy and feminine but she made it easy. By the the third outfit, I was having the time of my life! Our session flew by.
At the portrait reveal, instead of not finding one photo I liked, I couldn’t find one I didn’t like. For the first time in my life, I loved the way I looked in my photos.
So now I tell women, LOVE your body. Love every roll, scar, imperfection that you see because these are not imperfections. They tell your story. They make you who you are today. And you are amazing. Trust me, this experience will help you see yourself for who you are - beautiful.
Becky exemplifies the reasons why I do what I do. She is a survivor who deserved to experience herself with fresh eyes and a fresh heart. She rocked her session, and I’m so grateful to have been granted the privilege of being her photographer.
These are just some of the photos we created together.
Lean more about how we can celebrate your life’s victories at https://www.njpphotography.com/ladies or call Nicolette at 310.622.4580