Outdoor boudoir is a whole different animal. The traditional boudoir poses just don't do here. And outdoor boudoir is so much more than being sexy and seductive in your lingerie. Over the years my style of boudoir has been described as "Free People".  Yes Free People has become an adjective for my style of boudoir photography. Inspire was created to nurture a woman's femininity, strength, and spirit. It is flirtatious and wild. It isn't about seducing men. It is about seducing life. 

So I am sharing MY favorite poses. This is boudoir unplugged.

Many women don't know what to do with their hands during a photo shoot. I always encourage to play with your hair. Zhuzh your hair to add volume and texture. Wrap your ends around your face. Slightly graze the ends  with your fingertips.  Dance and shake your head! Be playful, fun, and flirty...okay and a little sexy too.

Oh the booty shot! Every client wants at least one good photo of that ass! Instead of the traditional bent over provocative booty shot that you might see in studio boudoir, I love to keep my clients standing and feeling free. I will tell you to put your hands above your head while you dance to music, or to put your fingers through your hair.  I will direct you to cross your feet and push your hips and butt toward the camera while also standing on your tippy toes! Since high heels aren't in your normal outdoor boudoir wardrobe, standing on your tip toes will create the same booty lift effect. Warning, your lower back will hurt! But it will be worth it!

Not only does putting your hands by your chin and mouth give you something to do, it creates a flirty allure. It brings attention to your lips where the power of your voice comes from...and the occasional sexy kiss. :) 

I love this variation of the close-up portrait because it gives me a chance to play with your hair - maybe put flowers all around you

Okay so this pose is a little more traditional to a studio boudoir shoot. I like this pose because it emphasizes the hips, zhuzhes the hair, and shows off the boobs. It also makes a great centerfold for your album!

I wouldn't really call this a pose, but capturing graceful movements. If shooting in a body of water, I encourage clients to bring a long dress or kimono. Not only will the fabric give you something to do, but it captures femininity. 

Okay there you go! Those are some of my favorite poses when I shoot outdoor boudoir, but certainly not limited to! Make sure you pin this for reference before your own boudoir shoot! 

Client to photographer relationships are just like any other relationship. You have to not only trust each other, but be able to freely communicate and establish a comfortability with each other. Boudoir client/photographer relationships require an even deeper relationship then most. As your photographer I will be witnessing some very vulnerable parts of you, physically and emotionally. Boudoir IS nerve wracking already, then I go ahead and add the great outdoors! Yes, you will be in the elements getting your portrait taken in as little or as much clothing that suits you. Women have real insecurities, myself included. Having a camera pointed right at you doesn't make it any easier to overcome them! Girl, this is what an Inspire Boudoir experience is for! I give you the tool of nature to calm your nerves and begin to be present. I add the tool of boudoir photography to not only help you face your fears and begin to own the incredible woman that you are, but to document this momentous adventure you are going on. Lastly, I have one hell of a playlist that will help you feel more comfortable! 

So here are 6 ways to build trust with boudoir client:


1. Have an authentic online presence. 
Most of my boudoir clients come from seeing me on Instagram. Not only do I post lots of work from my portfolio, but I post from my personal life. My clients already know I have 3 dogs, that I am married, and what I like to do on my free time. There they can see my Instagram stories of my every day and behind the scenes from shoots. Through my personal stories and images, trust is already beginning to be built. They get a sense of who I am before they even decide to schedule a consultation.


2. Have a pre-boudoir shoot consultation.
We meet for a pre-shoot consultation to get know each other face to face. We meet to go over your boudoir shoot expectations. I ask you lots of questions regarding your intention behind your shoot and your why. But before we get down to business about your boudoir shoot, we just sit and talk! 

Our world thrives on quick fixes. There is a magic pill for absolutely everything! What if you could not only prevent underlying symptoms of fatal illnesses, but also reduce your body from going into overdrive mentally? Imagine a treatment that is readily available and cost absolutely nothing. Nature Therapy is the treatment of going outside in nature to heal. Studies conducted in many parts of the world, including Japan have shown a correlation between green spaces and lower mortality rates up to 12%. 

"The percentage of green space in people's living environment has a positive association with the perceived general health of residents," concluded a Dutch study of 250,782 people.

Inflammation is the body's response to an outside threat like spraining our ankle, stress, and toxic chemicals. Since city dwellers are surrounded by toxicity and the busyness is a constant stimulator of stress, our bodies response system goes into overdrive and instead of inflammation keeping us safe it starts to cause auto-immune diseases, depression, and cancer. Our bodies start to attack itself. Early phases of research in Japan has shown a connection between nature and the making of anti-cancer proteins in our body. The boosted levels of these proteins can last up to seven days after a long trip in nature. By taking long walks every day surrounded by trees and slowly breathing in fresh air, your body will be able to fight off cancer causing toxins and mental stress. 

Your mental health is also directly correlated to your physical health. Studies have shown that mental clarity was greatly improved just by looking at images of nature. When mentally stressed your body physically tenses causing headaches and fatigue. Without proper sleep your body cannot heal. So before you pop that Tylenol PM, try taking a free walk, breath, and relax. Your body will thank you.

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You were a woman first.  A woman with swag and sex appeal. You were a woman before you were a mom and now that you are walking milk dispenser for tiny humans, it is easy to forget that you were once that sexy woman. So grab your favorite set of lingerie or that dress that makes you walk a little taller, and book yourself an outdoor boudoir shoot!

It is easy to get stuck in a rut when you are busy living your life for others. When there is already so much to clean and laundry to wash, is it really necessary to change sweat pants? Yes girl, it is! Throwing your dirty hair in a bun and putting on those trusty sweat pants does sound appealing, but get out of that comfort zone! It is not okay to live complacent in life! It is not okay for your kids to see that either. Push yourself to try something new and remind yourself you are more than just a mom. You are an adventurous, fierce, hardworking woman and you are an inspiration to others! 

Let's not forget what brought those little bundles of joy into this world to begin with! Not only it is easy to forget to care for yourself, but it is easy to forget to care for your significant other! Parenting isn't supposed to be a one person job. It takes 2 to make them and it should take 2 to care for them! So what makes you and your person feel more connected to work together? SEX. An outdoor boudoir shoot is an experience that makes women feel more primal, more connected, and sexy AF! Most of the time, they cannot wait to get home and work off all that adrenaline created during their boudoir shoot! And those beautiful images are just a reminder to not only feel more connected to yourself, but to connect with your person too!

Mom life is chaotic. You experience life changing moments ALL THE TIME from giving birth, to those first steps, to sending them off to college and it just doesn't slow down long enough for you to take a breath and let it all in. Outdoor boudoir uses nature as a tool to help you breath, refocus, and feel refreshed. It is a spa day mixed with a little sexy. So experience something just for yourself and get to your inherent qualities of power and beauty through nature.

Feminism: the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.

Last post I mentioned I am not a feminist in the way society has deemed feminism. You can read that HERE. I believe 100% in the actual definition of feminism. I believe in the equal rights and opportunities for both men and women, especially growing up an only child, independent. I was taught to do everything, "feminine and masculine" tasks, cleaning and changing a tire. Getting paid less just because of my sex is NOT okay with me. Treating me differently because I may fit a female stereotype is NOT okay. However, I believe I should not hate men just because they are paid more, because they are more likely to gain respect. I do not believe I don't need a man in my life. I CAN change my own tire, but that doesn't mean I won't accept a man's help. Men and women are like yin and yang. We both have different skills and when we work harmoniously, the world is a better place. I believe in men being gentlemen and holding the door open for me. I believe in women being nice and holding the door open for me. I believe in being a decent human being to all. When women put down men just for being men, we are just as bad as men not treating us equally. Do not hate the player, hate the game. Rise up and own your power as being a woman, while also being human. Change the game. Change the world.

I am not a feminist in how society has deemed feminism. I completely agree with the equality of men and women, but do not agree with hostility that this word has been made out to be.  I believe in the strength of women. The strength that women have to be who they really are. To dare to try it all and be okay with failure. The strength that women have to be both a lover and a mother. The strength women have to start movements and make their voice heard. The strength women have to speak out for what they believe in. The beginning of the feminist era in the 70's paved the road for women of today to step out and speak up for what they believe in.  To truly live in their purpose.

No one WANTS to get uncomfortable! Discomfort…well its exactly that, UNCOMFORTABLE! It is this space where all the magic happens. It is this place that you look back on when you are telling stories to your grandchildren and recall all the amazing courageous things that you have accomplished in your life! Getting uncomfortable doesn’t necessarily mean bungee jumping or finally telling your boss to F off and stomping out of there! Every single day you can do something small that scares you. Maybe it is sharing something personal on an Instagram post or cooking a new dish to eat. All these little changes over time add up to one amazing life! They help you grow and before you know it is easier to make those big scary decisions! One day you can actually quit your job and do something that truly sets your soul on fire. One day you can put on that bikini and strut your gorgeous self around the pool! The point is discomfort leads to growth. You will never change if you remain complacent and coast through life. 
I recall one area of my life where I did something uncomfortable every single day. No matter what came up, my answer was yes. When I was invited to go on a mini road trip, I went! When I was invited to have drinks with strangers, I had a drink! When I wanted to get in shape and tone up, I ran 6 days a week no matter the weather and hired a personal trainer. It was uncomfortable being in the unknown. It was uncomfortable at first talking with strangers. It was DEFINITELY uncomfortable running every day and pushing weights. It was even more uncomfortable fronting money for a personal trainer. Ha! But making new friends, having more energy, the feeling of confidence from working out, IT ALL TRUMPED DISCOMFORT!

One night I was cuddled up and in my pjs. I finished a 10 hour work day and I was exhausted. My friend texted me and begged me to come out country dancing. I really really wasn’t in the mood. I wanted the comfort of my bed. I grumbled while I brushed my hair and threw on my clothes.When I got there I spotted a guy at the bar that looked exactly like a guy I used to know from 3 years prior. I hadn’t seen him in forever so I wasn't sure. I just kept watching, creeper status, in his direction. My heart pounding, trying to build up the courage to approach him. I finally found him alone at the bar and I approached him, “BUDDY!” I called out, “How are you?!” 

He gave me a big hug and made small talk for awhile before asking, “Wait, what’s my name again?” 

“Buddy!” 

He answered, “That’s not my name.” 

Oh shit! I thought! So embarrassed I tried to walk away. This was EXACTLY what I was afraid of. I didn’t want to make an ass out of myself and approach a total stranger. He stopped me from walking away and asked my name. We talked the entire night and he asked for my number. 

Little did I know, that total stranger at the bar, that man I embarrassed myself in front of, would become my husband 5 years later. Because I stepped out my comfort zone. Because I felt the fear and approached him anyway, I met the most important person in my entire life. 
Getting uncomfortable and facing your fears IS A GOOD THING! Sure it can be terrifying! It will make your heart race, cause anxiety, embarrass you, but you will grow! It will lead you to BIG GREAT THINGS! BIG GREAT THINGS THAT YOU WILL TELL YOUR GRANDCHILDREN ABOUT! 

Every single one of my clients are super nervous before their shoot. Their mind races with doubts about their body, their ability to pose in front of the camera. They don’t let those thoughts take over though. They feel the fear and book their shoot anyway! I guide them every step of the way. First by sending them my Dream Shoot Planner. In this pdf magazine are posing guides, wardrobe ideas, etc. It eases their fears. I am always available by text during business hours and often I get photos of possible wardrobe purchases. My job is try to ease your fears, get your cute booty to face them, and capture this beautiful moment for you!
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You can read more about Growing a Pair and Getting Uncomfortable HERE: I quote Betty White and it's hilarious! 

What to wear is the most frequently asked question I get from you ladies! My biggest advice is to not complicate it! My absolute favorite is a simple bra and panty set and bodysuit. It is the best foundation to build on. From there you can add a kimono or robe, a fur jacket or blazer, and plenty of accessories and jewelry! Below are my top choices for your boudoir wardrobe! You will be surprised on how many of these items you already own!  

My favorite thing for clients to wear is not really lingerie at all! It is a bodysuit. Most bodysuits flatter every shape and size. They are great if want to hide trouble areas like stomach or stretch marks. They also come from in a variety of style, from lace to athletic.

I like to shop at American Apparel or Forever 21 for bodysuits! Another favorite choice is from a company called Girlfriend Collective. They make their bodysuits from recycled material and are highccut to show off those legs and bum!

One of my favorite dresses to photograph, especially in the water is an all lace see through dress from Amazon!

As a woman in the second half of her 30th year, I thought the other day how I have remained the same size for the last 10 years. Now hear me out before you call me a skinny bitch and close your computers down! Before you hate on me, I owe nature for still being able to fit in the same jeans. I love being outside so much that I built my whole business around it and am teaching others the healing powers of it! Today this blog post is about how nature helps you lose weight, or in my case stay healthy and the same size.

Nature has a special way of reducing stress and making the body relax. When you relax, much like sleeping, your body has time to recalibrate and heal itself. When your body has time to do this, you immediately begin to feel better, lighter, and with more energy. More energy leads to more physical activity and more physical activity leads to a healthier waistline.

Soak up that sunshine and vitamin D! Vitamin D is a master hormone and helps all the other hormones in your body function properly. If you are experiencing mood swings, fatigue, general muscle pain, weakness, headaches, restless sleep, or poor concentration it could be the lack of Vitamin D in your life! Of course, consult your doctor and get your blood tested before you webmd diagnose yourself. When your body is out of alignment it has to work harder to function and keep a healthy weight. So step outside and soak up 15-20 minutes of sun every day!

Nature regulates your hunger. When you are busy soaking up the trees, you aren't thinking of your next meal or mindlessly consuming potato chips at your desk. Your natural hunger will kick in telling you when your body needs fuel. Even if you do not eat right away, your body inherently knows to take fuel from your fat storage. Being outside makes you more aware of your body and mind. You can really ask yourself, am I hungry or am I just bored? When you figure out this distinction, you begin to live a healthier lifestyle.

Nature provides the greatest gym ever! When taking a hike, you are walking over raised tree roots, big rocks, hopping over water streams, and building those glutes while going uphill. You use muscles that are rarely used in every day life. By building these muscles you gain better balance and posture, which will keep us more active in our older years. A hiking trail is also random. Your body can easily start to recognize the movement you make while on the treadmill, but on a hiking trail it is always guessing and uses more energy to keep up with the constant change, which helps you lose weight.

Take a big breath of fresh air! If you are constantly surrounded by concrete and car fumes, your body is working hard to fight off all the toxins in the air instead of maintaining a healthy weight. Not only does breathing fresh air calm the mind and uplift your mood, it can recalibrate your body. Also with a more uplifted mood you have more energy to be active!

Increasing serotonin with nature instead of drugs. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain and is responsible for regulating mood, hunger, sleep, memory, and learning. A lack of serotonin plays a role in depression and depression can lead to a sedentary lifestyle and weight gain. Serotonin also talks to a separate part of our body, our gut, which has 7 serotonin receptors. This can account for having an upset stomach if you are nervous or have anxiety. When you are surrounded by nature you begin to relax and your body can replenish its serotonin levels, balancing your mood and stomach!

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Urban Dictionary

Slay:
1. killed it. succeeded in something amazing.

2. something you tell someone when they look sexy as f***

3. To kick ass, or to dominate.

This creative collaboration is the perfect example of how using your basic resources for boudoir photography outfits and an outdoor location can lead to an edgy and sexy editorial. Cynthia Valdez from Vinyl Beauty Studio on hair, Erika Valdez on makeup, and of course the beautiful Jennifer Johnston. Wardrobe was pulled randomly from drawers and closets and pieced together to make this dark and modern 1920's boudoir photo shoot. 

Boudoir Photography Outfit Ideas:

black blazer layered over a caged bra

sheer camisole layered over a body chain

short mini skirt and thigh highs 

Picking wardrobe doesn't have to be expensive or stressful. Raid your closet, borrow from a friend, and just bring your fierce sexy self! ​

Boudoir Location Ideas:
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This editorial was shot just using someones back yard! 

Start to think outside the bedroom! An Inspire Boudoir Experience is not your typical boudoir shoot! 

You know those women that are just naturally beautiful and THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW IT? And you just hate it! Just kidding I don't hate it. I actually love it because I feel I give them that little push to realize what they are truly capable of! Also Miss K is totally my kind of person. Our energies were synced with our laid back attitudes, sense of adventure, love for coffee, and even down to our matching outfits of sweats and a flannel. A woman you really want a part of your tribe.

Luckily women like her are crossing my path more often lately. Women with the same ideals and  becoming part of a movement. A movement to make women feel it is okay to be unplugged. If you live life more unplugged and get back to your breath, to the basics, you begin to do things with more intent and to be more present. And in outdoor boudoir, we do just that! We are back in nature, back to the basics, back to the breath of life. From there you feel more empowered, more beauty, more self-love. 

Miss K came to me super interested in what this outdoor boudoir thing was all about after she booked me for her wedding. She was intrigued, but the first thing that flew out of her mouth was, "but I am a tomboy."  She explained how she wasn't the sexy girl. I just looked straight at her and replied,  "Girl, look at me! I am the PERFECT example of a walking contradiction. One day I will wear sweats and converse and the next a frilly dress with red lipstick."  The point is we are not defined by our labels. And obviously being a tomboy didn't keep her from rocking this photo shoot and being truly who she is, an adventurous beautiful woman inspired by the nature around her and the feeling of the warm sun on her face.

This challenge was not only amped up because the models were only allowed 6 shots, but they also had to model with 3 little furry friends! Styled by Miss Edgy, they slayed at owning the fashion and thier accessories! Check it all out here! 

This past Novmeber I turned 30. Pretty much the 12 months leading up to that day were filled with anxiety. What have I accomplished? What am I doing with my life? Shouldn't I be doing MORE? Shouldn't I be making more? What does 30 supposed to look like? I can tell you what it looks like for me so far! It looks like opportunity. It looks like clarity. It looks like power. It looks like a movement I want to lead with women in today's society, to say fuck you to the standards of beauty, busyness, what it looks like to be a woman today. 

I had a meeting on Monday and someone asked me, "So your goal for outdoor boudoir is empowerment?" 

I stumbled on my words, "No. I mean yes. I do, but I don't like that word. I like that word in a sense. The word empowerment seems so feminist. Empowerment is an effect of what my basic goal is. I want outdoor boudoir to be about getting back to the basics - to get back to the breath of who you are. Like yoga. You are always coming back to the breath, the basics. From there you find empowerment, beauty, and love".

My true desire is to create a movement to make women feel it is okay to be unplugged. If you live life more unplugged and get back to your breath, to the basics, you begin to do things with more intent and to be more present. And in outdoor boudoir, we do just that! We are back in nature, back to the basics, back to the breath of life. From there you feel more empowered, more beauty, more self-love. 

Below was my own exercise of self-love and getting back to the basics. Jennifer Ilene photographed these beautiful images of me, involving animals. Involving animals, especially exotic ones, added another level of being present and awareness. You had to work with the animal, you had to be aware of your own feelings and what you are putting off externally. They sense it. You HAVE to be present and aware of your breath. At first I was anxious over the humidity and how it affected my hair and makeup, but once I realized that wasn't what was important here. THIS was an experience. THIS was an adventure. THIS was an opportunity to be fully present in the act at hand - calming this little monkey. Make him feel comfortable to be with me. 

We all piled into a van and traveled down to San Antonio for the day 2 challenge! The girls were styled by Tasha at Flawless Fashionista Boutique. Watch it all here! 

First lets talk a little about Pop Austin Media ! Pop Austin is the new upcoming media production company that is taking Austin by storm. They are your number one source of news, enterntainment, and gossip in Austin! Not only that, but Pop Austin has made it a mission to support local artists and small businesses. They want to keep Austin wierd and keep Austin local. Shooting for their first season of Next Top Model was awesome! To be a part of something that is BIG and NEW! It wasn't just about showcasing Austin's talent in the modeling industry, it was about showcasing Austin's boutiques and local artists. ME being one of them! Filmed by Addie Rock and Jordon Lowry.

Now that Pop Austin has wrapped up its first season of Austin's Next Top Model I can FINALLY show the images from the challenges! If you want to know who the winner is, you will have to check it out here! 

First lets introduce the models competing! In order - Emilee Miller, Macy Chanel, and Stacy Nicole

Their first challenge was in the Austin't Next Top Model house and they had to rock simplicity. Their space? A small white corner. They had the choice to rock it with a white chair or without, all with showcasing handbags. Styled by Minx Boutique. Watch the first challenge here!

I am just going to leave this right here.....

because I SERIOUSLY cannot think of any words right now to go with this gallery of images. It it sexy AF, oozing with lusty appeal, and some casual badassness!

Anna was referred to me by one of my favorite makeup artists, who is now living in NYC.  Sorry ladies! In the beginning it was just going to be her and those long legs, but she suggested to add her boyfriend and I couldn't say no! Right away I knew they were going to be fun! They were super casual and laid back and most importantly super open for suggestions! We thought outside of the box of the "typical couples boudoir" Of course, this was a first for me! I was way out of my comfort zone right here, adding a man to the picture. But like they say, you have to step out of your comfort zone to experience growth. I am so glad I did, because these images ARE HOT!

Our inspiration board was filled with those sexy Levi denim editorial shoots with smudgy mascara. Although the main focus of the experience was on Anna, Noah brought that masculine support to the images.

So lets talk about the balance of dual energies, the masculine and feminine for a hot sec, alright! In a complex society we as humans need to find this balance in order to be successful! Masculine energy is goal oriented,  direct,  to the point,  entrepreneurial, risk taking, and competitive. Many of these traits is what drives women to be CEO's and make big changes in this world! But on the other side of that, we must embrace the feminine energy. This energy is also key to being successful. Even though it is the masculine that drives us in business, it is the feminine that nurtures it to blossom. Feminine energy is intuitive, creative, collaborative, receptive, and emotional. Do NOT mistake feminine energy to be the weaker of the two. It is the delicate balance of the two to be in flow with yourself and in your passions. 

The two energies support one another and since fierce, hard working women are complex in these energies, it is key to meditate and find this balance. Conveying this through your boudoir experience is one way to work through them. Invoking the masculine through a female dominated photo experience or tapping into your ultra-feminine and pretty side. Either works. Remember we are all multi-faceted creatures and there are always more than one opportunity for a boudoir shoot! ;) 

This beautiful woman right here is in this journey right now. Practicing the art of vulnerabilty. Hearing her journey during our consultation touched my heart so much! She is one of the most selfless women I have ever met. Not only is she the general manager of an emergency vet with a heart of gold, but she is a huge caretaker in her family. She has stepped up to be Aunt of the Year to her nieces and nephews and ultimate caretaker to parents and grandparents. She carries heavy burdens, not always taking care of herself, or slowing down. She is the woman everyone goes to when they need something done and when you are the woman everyone turns to you have to be strong for them. 

Luckily her co-worker and client of mine intrigued her interests in a boudoir shoot when showing off her own boudoir products. Being the woman always in charge and responsible for everything, she was really looking forward to letting loose and allowing someone else direct her. 

She said no to her insecurities and booked before she could talk herself out of it! She said YES to an experience that was freeing and humbling and allowed her to finally do something for herself! During her consult, we discussed what beautiful meant to her. We discussed what a strong, intelligent woman her mother was and how she always thought how beautiful it made her seem. Notice that she only spoke about her mother when she thought of the word beauty, and not herserlf.

"Ok, raised strictly catholic, am a tomboy, very clumsy, a sturdy girl and fairly conservative in how I dress and what I am comfortable showing. For whatever reason, despite it being completely out of character for me, I reached out to Laura.

Miss S was ready for something! Something in the back of her mind called her to reach out and open up. She really wanted to capture her Hispanic and Native American heritage, really encapsulating her family and where she comes from. She also wanted to convey the imperfection of it all - to embrace the messy and the dirt of the earth. 

After her outdoor boudoir shoot, Miss S found beauty in herself. An experience she never expected! How could she have never seen it before! That smile! She was an absolute blast and that smile made her absoultely breath taking! 

This was my favorite part of Miss S testimonial! That she didn't even need to see her images to get what she needed from the experience! YES! I love it!

There are many things in this lifetime that women WANT to do. We WANT to go on that solo Europe adventure. We WANT to start a new business. We WANT to have a baby. We WANT to never have babies. We WANT to quit our jobs. Whatever our WANTS women usually wait for permission, to gain some sort of clarifitcaion from others that our WANTS are justifiable. We wait for permission for others to say, "Yes, you are good enough!" Let me share a little secret, PERMISSION MAY NEVER COME if you wait for it! 

If you have a message to spread, even if that message is only to yourself, don't wait for permission. Shed the weight of other people's opinions. My senior year in high school that time came to choose a major. I didn't analyze. I went with my first instinct, photography. My family members told me that photography would never sustain a decent living, but I didn't listen. I gave myself permission to live out my truth and now I am empowering others to do the same through outdoor boudoir. I want women to give themselves permission to experience self-discovery and inspiration. To give themselves permission to take back their busy lives and find clarity in nature. To give themselves permission to stop and breath! 

The clarity that you crave comes from action! It DOES NOT come from your parents, not from your teachers, not your significant other. It is YOUR decision. It is YOUR permission! In college while building a website and business cards, I wanted to use the notorious fish symbol that you often see on the back of people’s cars. Why? 
1. …at the time my last name was Herring, like the fish.
2. I am a believer. 
I thought my idea would be accepted with open arms. I told my professor my idea and was immediately shut down. She proclaimed it wasn’t a good idea and it may sway people from wanting to see my work. As a newbie photographer and wanting so badly to get out in the world, she dissuaded me to pursue my design.
Fast forward 3 years and that conversation has followed me. There are so many professional photographers and artists that publicly announce their faith, whether it be through their About Me page or their posts on Instagram. I and all their followers know, they are a Christian. I admit, is is scary! It is scary in general to put yourself out there, to let people know your heart and beliefs. It is scary to know you will be judged by people that could potential choose NOT to hire you based on your religion. I rest easy knowing I am in good company and God always provides! The point is I looked to find clarity through my professors and because of that I wasn't being true to myself. NOW I know better! I do not evaluate my worthiness based on potential client's reaction to my faith. 

If you still find yourself needing that little extra push to move forward, consider this blog post your permission step. I GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO BE TRUE TO YOURSELF! 

Miss V was at first looking for clarification of her WANTS. She WANTED to do an outdoor boudoir shoot. She GAVE HERSELF the permission and went for it! She wanted to remember this moment in her life, 30 years old and incredibly beautiful and empowering! She decided to live in her fierceness and let nothing stop her! 

I admit, I say this ALL THE TIME! Grow a pair and just do it already! Why is it that courage is tied to the male genitalia? If you are being a pussy...well, exactly that! Being uncourageous is tied to being a woman. Betty White has it right! Women, we sell ourselves short! Grow a vagina, face your fears, and just do it already! I could go on but that's another conversation for another day!

Lets talk about getting uncomfortable, growing a vagina and stepping out of your comfort zone! 

Being uncomfortable is a good thing! It can add energy and excitement to your life! That tiny island hanging out in the murky waters, away from your cushy-spacious comfort zone is where all the magic happens! If you want to grow in the world and in this life, it is going to require you to get uncomfortable! Chasing that promotion, entering that contest, losing the weight...guess what!? It all requires discomfort! Nothing will change for you if you remain complacent and coast through life. Sure it's easy! Hell, it is damn right paradise! Who wouldn't want to just kick up their feet to a Netflix marathon, instead of hitting the gym!?

Here's the thing. You know why growth is so uncomfortable? It is human's innate behavior to take the easy road. Your ego does not want you to change. Our minds and bodies were built to adapt and therefore make tasks easier. When you find yourself half way to that tiny island in the murky water, things can get rocky! You can start to feel overwhelmed! That tiny magical island seems so far away now! You can't pussy-foot around (there goes another misogynistic term again!) You need to fully immerse yourself in the task, otherwise your ego will take over and want to take the easy road!

I mean as I write this, I am tempted to just press delete and save myself the embarrassment of the inevitable misspelled word, grammar error, or run-on sentence! But I know there are women out there feeling stuck, feeling numb from the every day, feeling uninspired with what life handed them! I am telling you right now, that the choice is yours! You get to make the changes in your life! You just have to grow that vagina and jump into the murky water to that magical place! 

It can get overwhelming when you are stepping out of your comfort zone. Like I said, it is our innate behavior to stay safe and take the easy road. This will only lead to complacency and life's dissatisfaction.

First things first, clear the noise! Meditate. Sit in the quiet. It is this quiet space that you will eventually learn to hear your true desires, not the ego! 

Write about it. It is inevitable your mind will race. You won't know how to handle all the thoughts, all the fears, and sift through logic your ego offers. Do a brain dump and just write about it! Get it all out on paper. 

Share it! Share you desires. Tell a friend. Get an accountability partner. 

Lastly, just fucking do it already! If you want half-assed results, sure just dip your toes in. If you truly want the magic and for your desires to become a reality. You gotta just fucking do it and work from that space of discomfort. Everything is figure-out-able. 

Let me tell you a little about Miss A! She voiced her high anxiety and indecisiveness on doing an outdoor boudoir shoot. It only took me speaking for less than five minutes about the benefits of a session before she interrupted, LETS DO IT!

The day of her session I received a text, "Just warning, I'm really anxious :("

​Once she stepped into hair and makeup and then outside for her session, there were ZERO signs of anxiety. I couldn't even tell! 

Later that I day I texted, asking how she felt. 

"It was so much fun! I felt so comfortable. :)" 

It took her getting into her underwear, posing in front of the camera at her most vulnerable, and being outdoors to find her comfort and getting over her fear. 

I am all about pushing others to JUST DO IT!  This whole site is filled with inspirational words on why you should just get off your ass and live your dreams already!  It didn't actually hit me until recently that I had fallen victim of my own preaching! 

Lets back track a little bit.  I am NOT a writer!  There is a reason why I decided to be a photographer (other than I FUCKING LOVE IT!) and not be a photo-journalist or English major or whatever profession that is writing intensive.  So when it comes down to the written word, I kind of suck at it.  Sure there are times motivation hits me and the words just flow - like for instance, NOW! (see how I actually wrote out the word, "like"? NOT A WRITER!)  The point is I needed to get off my ass and realize I am shooting for progress, not perfection. 

I have a goal of having a successful blog, a blog that is filled with inspirational advice that I speak about on the daily! Here is the difference, I SPEAK about it!  I tend to write how I speak and that has held me back from putting all those words to paper.  How in the world am I supposed to inspire others to take the plunge, make big decisions, face their fears, commit to something they truly want, and say, I AM BEAUTIFUL! FUCK THE STANDARDS!  So here I am in my truth, JUST DOING IT!