Q: How did you first hear of Rachel Jasmine Studio and what made you want to book with us?
A: I first saw an ad for Rachel Jasmine Studio on Instagram and was so amazed by how incredible her work was that I immediately went to her website and started reading all about her studio and her art. I was so drawn to how empowering, uplifting and body positive she is. I texted my friend after I read over the entire website and her client testimonials and said “I think I’m about to book a boudoir photo shoot.”
Q: What was your initial reason for booking?
A: Like a lot of women, I’ve always struggled with my body image, and the feeling that I’ll never be thin enough, tall enough, pretty enough for what society wants me to be. After a period of significant weight loss, I had surgery to remove 7 pounds of loose skin that left my abdomen and arms with multiple scars. I was just so tired of fighting my body and looking in a mirror and hating myself. I wanted to celebrate my strength, and my health and all of the incredible things my body does and is every single day. I wanted to see myself from a new perspective. I wanted to stop the war in my mind against my body and learn to love it, every part of it. I wanted to look at my scars and see them for what they are- just another part of my journey, and to feel beautiful exactly as I am.
Q: Did you have any expectations going into the shoot? What were they?
A: I didn’t honestly know what to expect when I came to the studio the morning of my session. I was nervous and full of self doubt and self consciousness. I remember parking and thinking to myself “what do you think you’re doing.” I hadn’t even walked through the doors before I knew there was no reason at all to be nervous. Rachel and her team made me feel so comfortable and confident immediately. The way my hair and make up were done made me feel like a super model and Rachel made me feel like she was someone I’d known my whole life. I’m an awkward person and definitely not a model, but Rachel took all the awkwardness away easily and coached me through everything. I couldn’t believe how much just pure fun I had during my session.
Q: What was it like seeing your images for the first time?
A: I haven’t had my image reveal yet so I haven’t really seen my gallery yet, but even just the images that Rachel showed me from the camera as she was taking pictures were so good. It was like, hold on am I really looking at myself? Did you really JUST take that picture of ME?
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’ve stopped tearing apart every single imperfection. I’ve stopped looking in the mirror and looking for things I wish I could change. I KNOW that I am beautiful exactly the way I am. I know that I am strong, and capable and I can do hard and scary things.. and THAT is the spirit of womanhood. I don’t have to fight my body anymore. I can appreciate it and love it and be thankful and so much more confident in my skin.
Q: Would you recommend Rachel Jasmine Studio for the luxury boudoir experience to others?
A: Oh my God yes absolutely! Rachel is incredible at what she does and at making people feel comfortable and confident. Her whole team is amazing from consultation to ordering. I had such a fun experience and I can’t wait to do it again.
Q: What advice would you give to another woman considering the boudoir experience with Rachel Jasmine Studio?
A: Take the leap! Celebrating yourself and your body is the best gift you could give yourself. Be afraid and nervous and do it anyway. Do it for every part of you that’s ever thought you weren’t good enough, or beautiful enough, or sexy enough. There is nothing better than finishing your session and feeling confident and powerful and beautiful and knowing you can literally take on the world.