Q: How did you first hear of Rachel Jasmine Studio and what made you want to book with us?

A: I had been wanting to do a boudoir session for almost a year, but was struggling to find a photographer. A coworker of mine suggested looking into Rachel Jasmine Studio, and I could not believe the pictures that I saw. I was absolutely STUNNED with each and every picture on her page. I remember needing to give myself sometime to process how incredible the pictures were and my own insecurities, because my immediate thought was “Yes, these pictures are gorgeous, but I don’t look like any of these women. Remember Courtney, she’s not a miracle worker. You’ll never look half as good as those other women in the pictures.” I read through the booking guide, and specifically remember reading about Rachel’s emphasis on her boudoir sessions being more than just a “get-in, get pictures, get-out” experience. She talked about empowerment and self-acceptance, and learning to love who you are and, while I was nervous as all hell, I knew that she was my perfect photographer. I knew in my heart this was something I needed to do as a part of my self-love journey.

Q: What was your initial reason for booking?

A: I had been wanting to do a boudoir session because I realized how much I hated my body and I had hopes that it would help me become a little more confident. I was heavy as a kid, and was tormented for it in school. Before I went to high school, I vowed that I would lose weight in order to be accepted by my peers, or a least to be left alone. This lead me to develop an eating disorder and body dysmorphia in high school. When I went to college, I struggled with severe anxiety and depression, and I gained about all of the weight I had lost and more. While I am grateful that I overcame the eating disorder, my self esteem was absolutely destroyed. I refused to show any part of my body, I barely looked in a mirror, and I hurled insults at myself left and right. At the start of 2021, I told myself that this year was a year of growth, and that I needed to focus on doing things out of my comfort zone. For me, boudoir would NEVER have been something I would have considered a few years ago. My hope in doing boudoir was to at least be a little easier on myself, and to learn that I wasn’t a failure for gaining the weight back like I had always thought. I was an absolute BADASS for overcoming my disordered eating and learning to love who I was, even if the process was painfully slow.

Q: Did you have any expectations going into the shoot? What were they?

A: While I was excited to do my boudoir session, my insecurities got in the why of really having an expectations. As a mentioned before, I would see her incredible photos on my social media, but in the back of my mind think, “You will NEVER look that good, don’t ever think that. Remember, she’s not a miracle worker. Don’t get your hopes up.” I knew she was a phenomenal photographer, but I didn’t feel worthy as a subject. All I really hoped for was to leave my session feeling a little more confident that when I walked in (which was not at all, mind you).

Q: What was it like seeing your images for the first time?

A: I actually burst into tears. I was absolutely STUNNED, and can wholeheartedly say, I could not believe that it was me in those pictures. I had no idea that I could ever look that beautiful, that sexy, and most importantly, that CONFIDENT. I had never looked that confident in my life in any picture, but Rachel made it so easy. She is the most phenomenal cheerleader throughout the entire experience, and makes you feel like you can conquer the world. And I have felt like that ever since. I still look at those pictures like it’s the first time I’ve seen them to this day.

Q: What products did you purchase, and why do you think other women might love the same pieces?

A: Even before I had my session, there was nothing more badass to me than having a photo of myself from my boudoir session hanging in my home. And oh my god, it is the COOLEST THING EVER. I feel so proud of myself every time I see it, because it reminds me so much of how far I have come in my self-love journey. It’s a huge milestone for me in becoming who I am, and I love to show it off.

Q: Has anything changed for you since your boudoir experience and seeing your gallery? How has boudoir impacted your body image as a woman?

A: I can honestly say that it has changed my whole life. I have never felt this confident in my body, in who I am, in how I carry myself. It made me realize my true beauty. The process getting to the day of my session was nerve-wracking, emotional, and exhausting, because I was so hard on myself every day leading up to the session. Every day, I would think “How are you ever gonna show them your body? This body?” But I will forever be grateful for the experience, as it has taught me so much about myself and how to love who I am regardless of my flaws. I have become so proud and confident of who I am, and how far I have come, and it has truthfully changed my entire life. I couldn’t be more thankful to Rachel and her team for such an incredible experience.

Q: Would you recommend Rachel Jasmine Studio for the luxury boudoir experience to others?

A: 100%! It is unlike any boudoir experience. I couldn’t be more grateful for how much it changed me as a woman. I love who I am now, and am proud of how far I’ve come, and am so proud of all of my images. It changes the way you look at yourself for the better. So many people ask how I feel now that it’s all said and done, and I genuinely feel like I can do anything now. It makes you feel so powerful and strong in who you are, and that’s something I never thought I would be able to experience.

Q: What advice would you give to another woman considering the boudoir experience with Rachel Jasmine Studio?

A: Go easy on yourself! And take all of her advice in leading up to the shoot. It really makes you focus on taking care of yourself, which is something I never did before, but have now incorporated it into my daily life. Allow yourself to feel every emotion that comes your way the day of and leading up to your session. Self-reflection was HUGE for me in the days leading up to my shoot. I promise that the hardest part about the whole process is walking through the door the day of your session. You will not regret it!

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add to your interview?

A: Thank you to Rachel and her team for making me feel like an absolute BADASS and helping me to love the person that I am!