Lindsay Circled the Block 5 Times Before Her Nashville Boudoir Session
How does a boudoir session actually feel? Lindsay can tell you, because she almost drove away from hers. She circled my block 5 times before she parked. A few hours later she was in tears looking at her photos, and months later she says the confidence is still there.
Lindsay is a social worker and a single mom who spends most of her days taking care of other people. Her session was a birthday gift to herself. Here is her story in three parts: before, at the reveal, and now, mostly in her own words.
Before the session: "Why am I doing this?"
Lindsay had followed us for years. She even reached out once and never answered my reply (it happens more than you think). Then one night she saw an offer after margaritas with her friends.
Over the last couple of years I have lost 70 lbs and really began to focus on getting healthy and strong. I still saw myself at my beginning size and thought "what the hell, let's do this."
She had done a boudoir session years ago after her divorce and ended up with what she calls "sweet, angelic pics that could have been from a family-friendly lingerie catalog." This time she told me in the makeup chair to push her out of her comfort zone. And still, the drive in was rough.
I was incredibly nervous - I was going to have to be sexy in front of a stranger, which is the last way I would have described myself! I had an hour drive to Nashville and the negative self talk began. (why am I doing this? I'm single so who is even going to see these pics?). I circled the block probably 5 times before parking and I remember thinking to myself that I just had to be brave enough to walk inside the door.
Once she was inside, the nerves went fast.
Once I was in the chair for hair and makeup and we began chatting, it quickly felt like I was with a best friend. Having about an hour to just have girl talk and sip a mimosa helped with the nerves.
She will also tell you she felt silly during the posing. Mouth breathing and head rolls do feel ridiculous in the moment. That is fine. You only have to trust me, and she did.
At the reveal: "I could NOT believe what I was seeing"
I could NOT believe what I was seeing on the screen! The images were stunning and I got teary-eyed seeing myself look so beautiful. Honestly I was speechless and I still don't quite have the words to explain how amazing I STILL feel every time I look at them a couple months later.
When people have given me compliments I've struggled to believe them. But to SEE myself during my image reveal was an out of body experience. I literally saw myself in a new way and it gave me confidence that I've honestly never had before.
That is my favorite part of this job. I can tell you that you are beautiful all day long. The reveal is the moment you finally see it for yourself.
Now: "Worthy of taking up space"
This experience changed my life! (no exaggeration) The confidence I have now is an amazing feeling. I no longer try to shrink in a corner to not be seen; instead I walk into rooms with my head held up, finally feeling like I'm worthy of taking up space in the world.
She also told me she didn't want to take her makeup off that night because she didn't want the day to be over. I think that's my favorite text I've ever gotten.
Lindsay's advice is for the single women reading this:
Stop waiting for a partner to be your "why" for a session! Do it for yourself! For your confidence, for the experience, for the girl talk, for the fun.... There will always be an excuse- you want to lose weight, you want to have a boyfriend, etc. Take a chance and trust the process and I promise you won't be disappointed
And one money tip from a single mom budget:
The opportunity for pre session payment plans helped my single mom budget tremendously (tip: plan on a larger package than you think you want because you'll NEED all the images you see at your reveal).
A note from me
Lindsay, thank you for parking the car. Use 60 seconds of courage, like you said, and look what happened.
Is boudoir worth it if you are single?
Yes. Most of my clients book for themselves, not for a partner. Lindsay is single and booked her session as a birthday gift to herself, and she says it changed how she walks into a room. Your photos are yours, whether anyone else ever sees them or not.
Want to see more sessions like Lindsay's? Our Nashville boudoir portfolio is full of them, and the booking guide walks you through what is included, payment plans and how to pick your date online.
