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!

Let me tell you how F'n awesome it is once you get to the point in your life where you know who are you and are actually comfortable and confident with it! This boudoir shoot was exactly how Miss L practiced self-love and celebrated this body and the state of mind she was in! And it could not have come at a better time because between booking her appointment and her shoot date she was newly engaged! 

Beside booking yourself a boudoir shoot, there are other ways you can implement into your daily life to practice self-love. 

• Turn off your cell phone and tv and really do things with intention. Be present and shower yourself with gratitude.
• Build a tribe. Having people around that support you and share your same values is important.
• Start saying No! If something doesn't excite the fuck out of you then learn to say no! Do what feels good!
• Nourish your body! Not only for your looks, but it will make YOU FEEL BETTER! You will sleep better, focus more, and will have more energy! 
• Clean out your physical space! Start getting rid of objects that don't bring you joy and no longer serve you. Sometimes in order clear you mind and invite abundance, you need to clear your physical space. 
• Stop Comparing! When you find yourself scrolling through your Instagram or Facebook feed and you find yourself  comparing yourself to those people on your feed, TURN OFF YOUR DEVICE NOW! You need to remember you are only a witness to their highlight reel. You aren't seeing the behind the scenes and the mess.
• By saying no to more things that aren't on your priority list, you now have freed up time to do things that truly make you happy! Pick up that painting brush! Go to the yoga class! The point is to do things that feel good. 
• Learn to let it go! When you start operating from a place of forgiveness then you are clearing space to invite more love into your life. 

How did you feel BEFORE your session?
Before the session I was excited and slightly nervous. I've never done anything that required any kind of modeling, so I knew I had to rely heavily on Laura's guidance.

How did you feel AFTER your session?
It seriously felt like I had just gotten off of a roller coaster, I felt a RUSH! I was filled with excitement, adrenaline, happiness, and pure confidence. On top of that, in the few hours I spent with Laura, it felt like I made a new good friend. Laura is an amazing person and easy to bond with.

Recently becoming a newly wed to her a wonderful man she has been with for 10 years, being a vet tech, and also a mama to many wonderful animals at home, Miss V needed something JUST FOR HER! When you devote your life and heart to so many things it is easy to forget about yourself and this boudoir shoot was exactly THAT for her! 

Read about her experience.

"I always loved the idea of taking time for yourself to find your inner beauty and encourage yourself to explore something you might not necessarily ever do. The thought of this shoot being something just for me, to rejuvenate and ignite my inner fire was an idea I found courageous  and exciting. I knew I had to try it."

How did you feel BEFORE your session?
In all honestly I could feel my inner light weak and my energy was average. I was ready for a recharge!

How did you feel AFTER your session?
I felt rejuvenated and excited, I couldn't wait to encourage others to experience what I just had.  

"There is not one day that passes that I regret it. I love the idea that these photos froze a time I can always look back on and marvel in the best years of my life. Laura was so welcoming, professional, helpful and accommodating. When it came down to the actual shoot, I was a little unsure what I was going to do but with a little mimosa, support and encouragement, Laura helped me find my inner queen! I would hands down do it again."

Let's talk about anxiety and what a bitch it can be! Anxiety is not the same as fear. Anxiety is the general term of unpleasant or uncomfortable feelings associated with a future threat - an event that you have built up so much in your head that it can consume and overwhelm you. 

Anxiety is a feeling of uneasiness and worry, usually generalized and unfocused as an overreaction to a situation that is only subjectively seen as menacing.[4] It is often accompanied by muscular tension,[3] restlessness, fatigue and problems in concentration.

Often we allow anxiety to take over so much that we can never really enjoy being in the present moment. It robs us of our joy and peace. City dwellers have a higher risk of anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses. Studies have shown that just by being around greenery, the brain quiets.  You immediately feel calmer, less muscle tension, refreshed, blood pressure lowers, and you are more focused to make decisions throughout the day. And to be more science-y, by being out in nature it quiets the subgenual prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain associated with anxiety and brooding. 

Now that I am done with being technical and science-y, lets talk about this gorgeous babe featured! Miss A voiced about her high anxiety. It was something she dealt with on a daily basis, in her personal and professional life. Sometimes it would consume her, so much so that it ALMOST kept her from doing this shoot! The Seize Your Summer Boudoir Mini Event was the perfect opportunity for her try it out! And we are so glad she did! After being seated in the airstream for hair and makeup and having a mimosa or two, Miss A was relaxed as ever! It was hotter than hell outside, but Blush You Inc freaking ROCKED the makeup and its staying power and that boho braid! I could of died! Read below about her experience! 

Read about her experience

How did you feel BEFORE your session? I felt very nervous, insecure, and not really confident.

How did you feel AFTER your session? I felt incredible after the session. I felt sexy and I didn't care what anyone thought. It made me feel better than I have in a long time.

"I felt like a total babe. It was incredible. If anyone is on the edge and thinking about doing this shoot, DO IT. You definitely won't regret it. You will feel confident and receive AMAZING images."

This hot mama is literally that! She has a beautiful daughter and the woman wakes up at 4 am every morning not work out!!! Holy shit, that is commitment and it shows! Her plan was to have a girls day and recruit 4 other beautiful ladies, but in the end it was just her! In the words of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, "BIG MISTAKE! BIG! HUGE!" :) That's okay ladies I have a spot open for ya next time around!  

Miss A had the luxury of a cool summer morning for her boudoir mini session! Great choice of being first since it hit over 100 that day! Hair and makeup from Blush You Inc and she ROCKED IT!

Being confident in all of who are seems easy enough, right? Until we wake up and hop onto social media and scroll through our feed, comparing ourselves to every body else! It is engrained in us to only show the highlight reel. It's not to say to we shouldn't show off all the good parts of life or the tiny little accomplishments throughout the day! But those tiny little victories are only PARTS of who we are. PARTS of our life. By embracing the ALL is when we are truly being set free.

We stop striving for perfection, which is f'n exhausting by the way! It is unachievable! We stop beating ourselves up for our mistakes. You know what we start doing instead?

We start learning from them!

We start to accept them,

​and grow into stronger more confident human beings. ​

And during this journey we find self-acceptance and authenticity. Through that authenticity is when we start to attract others with our humanness. We start to build a tribe. A tribe that doesn't give a shit about perfection or the highlight reel. They care about YOU. 

That is exactly what being outdoors does for you. It forces you to clear away all the shit that doesn't matter and makes room for self-acceptance. And being outdoors for a boudoir shoot captures this. It is a chance to memorialize
​ a huge victory is your life, to remember the clarity of breathing in fresh air and embracing ALL of you. 

This gorgeous woman right here just oozes of self-confidence. She KNOWS she is fabulous! She KNOWS what she has to offer. She knows who she is right now and who she wants to become. This outdoor boudoir shoot is a tool in her journey of embracing all of who she is. 

OMG! First I am just going to state what everyone is thinking - LOOK AT THAT BEAUTIFUL GODDESS HAIR!

Okay! Okay! Now that I have gotten that out of my system, let's talk about finding balance in this crazy life! Abby is an old co-worker of mine and fellow photographer. She does beautiful senior portraits by the way! She is also in school full time, has a badass social life, and overall running around like a crazy person! When your day starts every morning around 4:30 am it is really easy to start feeling dragged down and beaten all to hell! 

Solution? Taking some time for yourself, stepping outside, and literally letting that gorgeous hair down and JUST BREATHING! Finding work/life balance when the whole world is telling you that #hustle and #onthatdailygrind is a great thing, it is REALLY REALLY F'n hard! When you aren't constantly working then you can start feeling unproductive, not useful, and overall not so great. Plus who the heck takes the time to take care of themselves when waking up at 4:30 am every morning! NOT ME! 

Abby needed a break. She needed some time to herself. An outdoor boudoir beauty experience was just that! Plus, whoever can do their own makeup and look that freakin beautiful is UH-MAZING! It is proven that stepping into greenery starts to re-wire the brain to function better. It literally starts to balance you out. Abby left her session with more clarity, ready to focus, and of course feeling beautiful and grateful for the break from all the hustle. 

read about her experience below:

Have you been wanting to do an INSPIRE boudoir shoot, but still haven't committed? Ready to take a break from all the hustle of life and get back to the basics of nature? Explore your own beauty in the elements! 


So, why sign up for boudoir and feminine portrait minis? 


Other than the fact that I am badass to hang out with, boudoir minis are the perfect way to TRY out something you may never have experienced before! The session is outdoors - an exclusive theme.  Boudoir is a tool to bring focus and clarity back into your busy life. It is an experience of self-discovery and inspiration. Mini sessions are the perfect opportunity to explore your own femininity and strength through nature!

Seize the Summer Boudoir Event is ONE day only,  August 7, 2016 - here are the details: 

• Professional makeup + lashes and hair by Blush You, Inc.
• Outdoor Location in South Austin - location will be revealed upon booking
• 30 minute session - one outfit
• A password-protected online proof gallery for viewing (7 days)
• 5 beautifully edited images - the VERY BEST from your session
• Investment: $325

Exclusive Mini Inspire Luxe Products are also available for purchase at a 10% discount when purchased before/on session:

• 4x6 Black Leather Bound Album with ten of your favorite edited images: ($330) $300
• Inspire Boudoir Glass Box with artisan loose mounted prints: ($280) $252
• Order BOTH for only $500 and receive a BONUS $100 off a regular Inspire Boudoir session booked within the next year!

Mini session events are only offered on a few specific dates per year for those looking for more budget-friendly and/or looking to TRY out something they may have never experienced before!

SPACES ARE LIMITED so if you would like to take advantage of this special occasion, don't hesitate to book your appointment TODAY!


HOW TO SECURE YOUR BOUDOIR MINI EXPERIENCE:
Fill out the form below and submit. I will you email you a link to pay your $200 retainer fee that will be applied to your session balance, as well as the available time slots for August 7, 2016. There will be NO CANCELLATION REFUNDS for any reason made, but if you must cancel notify me no later than July 24, 2016. The retainer paid will be applied to a regular Inspire Boudoir session booked within the next six months.

A confirmation email will be sent once the non-refundable retainer is made and the remaining balance will be due at the time of your shoot. Following your session an in-person photo reveal will be scheduled within 1-2 weeks. During the photo reveal I will present YOUR VERY BEST 5 IMAGES. This will also be the time to choose your Inspire Luxe products and order. 

Just click that little black tab at the top right corner of your screen to sign up!

I also will be hosting weekly giveaway contests on Instagram starting Monday, June 13 - Monday, July 4
​@laurakaysaucedo

I have photographed Brittney often and every single time we have worked together, I get to know her on a more deeper level. This particular shoot I believe was the catalyst to our relationship now, talks about self-awareness and the importance of self-love. But that isn't just what amazes me about Brittney. What amazes me is her passion and kindness. Her determination to spread awareness of the invisible disease, endometriosis. 

Brittney has been living with endometriosis and with no cure in the horizon, yet she still pushes on and is a huge advocate for the cause! Endometriosis is a painful disease in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of a woman's uterus grows outside the uterus and sometimes begins to spread all over the pelvic region. It creates debilitating pain. Over the past year she has grown her social media following, been published, and is now a host for an up and coming media production here in Austin, Texas! She uses her platform as a model to spread love to her fellow endo-sisters and awareness to those who haven't heard of this disease. 

When every single day not only takes physical strength but mental it is really easy to not feel beautiful. It is really easy to not even feel useful to the world when you can't leave the couch! This is when investing in yourself is the most important. To invest in an experience that will re-ignite that fire inside and inspire you to keep moving forward. To remind you that you are a gift to the world! To remind you that YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. Brittney has become an inspiration to the rest of the world and spreads her beautifully broken message. Her journey as a woman living with endometriosis leads to her greatness. It leads her to inspire other women that THEY ARE ENOUGH! She speaks it. She believes it. She lives it. 

Her boudoir shoot did just that for her! It re-ignited that fire to keep her going. It re-ignited her message to the rest of the world. Not only that, but she had an album made for her husband as a thank you for all the times he took care of her and still continues to do so!

Make sure to take the time to watch her video at the bottom of the post about her experience! She talks about her session and the album she received in the first 5 minutes of the video! After that she is of course spreading her message! 

This human being right here! This beautiful soul of a woman has QUITE the inspirational story and is already in month 4 of this journey. Years ago she discovered the World Race, an 11 month mission trip to 11 different countries. It is a grueling yet awarding journey, carrying the entirety of your supplies and belongings in a backpack and traveling to very rural parts of third world countries. When first realizing that this mission trip required her to speak about her faith in front of groups of people she backed down. She thought she wasn't ready. She allowed fear to take hold from sharing her light and her truth. 

Fast forward to 2015. She felt a tug in her heart to the World Race again. She prayed that she listened correctly and God was truly leading her to this adventure. She. Was. Accepted. The work was just beginning. This journey required a substantial amount of funding. Ali boldly shared the desires of her heart and asked for what she needed, donations of just $5 or donations equalling the amount of her trip!

If you feel called to donate, you can do so here.

Now I would like to take 100% credit for posing and directing this beautiful woman, but Ali is a model. It is through this platform her reach has broadened, spreading her message and leading people's hearts to support her journey. 

My dream is this. This business. The idea of teaching women to inspire themselves so they inspire others. Ali is doing JUST THAT! 

Ali's dream is to be of service to the entire world. To help build orphanages,  stop sex trafficking,  feed the needy. Her dream is to spread love and compassion so that it leads others to do the same. She almost let fear stifle the flame lit inside of her as a light worker, as a leader. She took a big scary leap of faith and trusted that God was working for her. She left her entire life as she knew it, plumbing,  restaurants,  heating and cooling,  even a cozy bed,  to follow the strong calling of a light worker. She was even told the average person gains 15 pounds while on this journey. As a model I can only imagine how hard it was to come to terms with this. She pushed past the discomfort. Sacrificing not only her body, but her career for the short term. But all of this was way bigger than she was. God was planning way bigger things for her. Bigger things then she could ever have imagined. If she would have let her ego get in the way,  she wouldn't be jumping off cliffs in Greece or hiking in the mountains of Macedonia. 

If you believe in this cause. The grandest adventure of all - finding your calling and trusting God is working FOR YOU - then follow Ali's journey. Invest in a fellow woman light worker, with words of support,  prayers,  or financially.  You can follow her journey here.

Because even models need a reminder they are beautiful badass women! 

Read about her experience: 

What inspired you to book a session with Laura?  Her work is phenomenal and I had to get in on the action

How did you feel BEFORE your session? Pretty good, a little sweaty

How did you feel AFTER your session? Like a sexy goddess who ruled the world and could do no wrong

On a scale from 1-10 how badass was your experience? 25

Things always run much more smoothly when we surrender control. We are much happier for it too! Then why do we live our lives in so much resistance?  

​Ladies, we say no to opportunities that ignite our hearts because of what? 
Fear. 
Fear of judgement?
Fear of the outcome?
Fear of losing control? 

As women we are in charge of so many things in this life. It has gotten to the point that if we hand over one ball for another to juggle, then all others will fall. Surrendering that task and worrying about what the results will look like is just as stressful and doing the task yourself! 

When I ask my husband to do the dishes I always end up finding them put away in the wrong place. And when I ask him to do the dishes, what I am really asking is for him to clean the kitchen. Don't stop at the dishes! Wipe the counters, clean up the crumbs, put away the spices, etc.  When you clean the sink, everything else needs to be cleaned to. I have a hard time surrendering this task because I want the result to look a certain way, but if I come from a place of love and compassion for my husband - the fact that he is helping me out of love and compassion then I am happier. I can't control how he does things. I can only control my reaction and coming from now a place of love, I am happier. 

Outdoor boudoir requires surrender. We cannot control mother nature. We can't control the temperatures,  the wind,  the glare of the sun,  and we certainly cannot control how our body reacts to these elements! Our hair will go frizzy and tangle,  our skin might burn from the sun,  or goosebumps will appear from a cold breeze. What nature is asking of us is to relinquish control of the outcome and live in the present. Come into this experience with love. Trust me,  your photographer. I will capture wild and beautiful images of you, despite the wind,  despite those 5 pounds you wanted to lose,  despite the frizz in your hair from the Texas humidity. You are surrounded by open space,  trees,  the breeze,  and warm sun. Trees are not in resistance to anything. The longer you stay in their presence the more you will start to match their frequency. After time you will let go of the end result of your boudoir shoot. You will no longer worry that you curls have fallen or your mascara smudged. You are living in the present and it feels so fucking good! 

After photographing Miss B during my Spring Boudoir Mini Event, I asked if she would be willing to do a styled bridal boudoir shoot! She absolutley killed this outdoor bridal boudoir session! We kept her hair and makeup simple, really becoming a part of the natural surroundings. The wooden ladder was the only prop used other than the florals I put together myself using local HEB Blooms. The juliet veil, bouquet, and floral garter were all put together with Leat Herleaf, Gypsohillas, seeded and silver dollar Eucalyptus. I wanted the main focus to be this simple greenery, invoking a sense of serenity and calm right before her wedding day. And isn't that juilet veil SO ROMANTIC?! It could easilty be used again for the wedding day! 

All the hustle and excitement of being engaged can really get to a girl! Why not invest in a little serenity and feel refreshed after an outdoor boudoir shoot?

The spring boudoir mini event was the first event I had hosted for outdoor boudoir. It was an opportunity to take an ordinary place and create a fantastical setting, filled with flowers and adventure! For each client I had made a flower crown. OhPeek provided jewelry made from gold and deer antlers. And flower garlands hung from tree branches. Signs were placed to guide each women to her destination - the middle of a wooden park turned an etheraeal boho setting. Her day began with an adventure, signs leading to something new and exciting! 

Miss T is a condundrum of a woman, a run with the boys type with long hair and legs for days! One of those women that doesn't quite know how beautiful and sexy AF she really is! She has always been the more laid back type, a lot like me in a way! Always in converse and flannel. So when her photo reveal finally came she couldn't beleive this was actually her! A feminine sexy side of her. 

We all have it ladies, multiple sides of us. We are tough and rugged one day and soft and feminine the next. Whatever is needed for job, that is who we mold to be! It is amazing to know what women can actually accomplish and seeing a different side of you - in print - there are no words. You just embrace it! 

Miss T went home with fine art prints for her wall at home, a constant reminder of the badass beautiful woman she really is! 

Ladies, we ALL have the desire to feel special. The desire to feel like queens, to be built up,  and empowered. And the only way we are going to receive that is if we start to encompass the energy of a woman who steps into ALL those things. A woman who is tired of playing small and is ready to make an impact on a global level! A woman who is ready to tap into her powerful feminine energy and make a change. It only takes you. You become an example to help elevate others to do the same. Be a person who inspires women to inspire themselves! 

We need to start looking within, and find our strengths, find our power, find our values! We need find the qualities of a queen. All the qualities of an empowered woman and STEP INTO YOUR FEMININE TALENT! So stop waiting for permission, stop playing small, and start to play into your worthiness of a woman! 

La Fluer is french for flower and society has deemed pink as the ultimate representation of being a girl! Well, you know what society has NOT associated with being a girl? ADVENTUROUS. BADASSNESS. TOUGH. SPONTANEOUS. AND GENERALLY BEING A DOWN ASS CHICK! This boudoir photo shoot might scream femininity, and it is! But what you do not know is that women can be both feminine AND adventurous. Pretty AND badass. sexy AND tough! One of my favorite sayings from another pretty badass woman, is "TAKE A STAND FOR THE AND!"  We do not have to be either or, ladies! You can be both! You call the shots! You decide! 

This hot mama not only was down for a spontaneous idea, but she toughed it out in 30 degree weather! I said that right, 30 DEGREES OUTSIDE IN HER UNDERWEAR! One look at that beautiful face, and you would have NEVER known! She was ready for the adventure! She was down to tough it out in the cold, and she was a badass because she conquered this shoot! She took a stand for the AND and was both feminine and a badass! 

Can I just say a big HELL YEAH to Texas weather? It was ALMOST Christmas and the high was almost 80 degrees! I had this wild concept of being surrounded by evergreens and really being a part of the surroundings and Hannah was up for it! We did her makeup and adventured to the middle of the woods and took some of my most favorite photos! Goes to show you can be creative and not be afraid to step out of the norm of a typical boudoir photo shoot and still look sexy! HOW does she it?!

Her outfit was simple. An $8 lace bodysuit from Forever 21 and a faux fur jacket from Target! Ladies, get out of your own head and JUST HEAD OUTSIDE! It doesn't have to be complicated. The investment is in the experience, not the lingerie, not the brand of makeup, but being outside and letting it all go!