boudoir photography pittsburgh, featured client, pittsburgh boudoir photogrpaher

Tomorrow I will be seeing what a few months of work means for our videos with our production company. We included a live image premiere with one of our actual clients. We wanted you to see another woman's genuine reaction to her images at her sales appointment.

For me, for The GFE, I only want you to have the images that you love. No matter how great a photo is, if you really hate your thighs, you shouldn't have to ever see that shit again. Friends and family take enough photos that, like most of the women I work with, you feel as though you have seen more bad photos of yourself than good. My job, is to take rockin' photos of you wearing less than you've ever worn in front of a stranger in some positions that only your partner may sees-- MAYBE--. From the outside looking in, it really sounds like a big fat dare, doesn't it? Challenge accepted. 

To that end, I asked one of our actual clients if she would allow us to film her seeing her images for the first time. I haven't seen any footage yet. I am giddy and nervous all the same time. It only seemed appropriate feature her images and her words for you today.

What was your motivation to seek out a boudoir photography experience?

 It was always kind of in the back of my mind that maybe someday I would want to try doing a boudoir shoot. I made some lifestyle changes and decided to start eating better and exercising regularly, and ended up losing a few pounds. I had thought about doing a photoshoot for my husband as a gift and thought hell, i'd better do it now before things really start going south! lol

Choosing your studio/photographer is super personal, why did you choose The GFE?

So I was scolling on facebook one day and The Girlfriend Experience popped up as a suggested post. I had been thinking about doing a boudoir shoot anyway, and the post caught my eye, so I checked it out. I was blown away by the style and quality of Steff's photos. I had seen other photographer's advertise for boudoir sessions, and when comparing their photos to Steff's, her's far surpassed any that I had seen. I looked through literally all of Steff's photos and I fell in love with her style. Not to mention, each woman that she photographed looked stunning and exuded such confidence. I wanted to feel that confidence for myself.

Leading up to the shoot what were you most concerned about?

Oh boy, there were a few things I was concerned about. The first being, "What the hell am I gonna look like naked on camera" and "dear lord I hope I don't end up looking like a truck!" I'm not a quiet person by any means, but when it comes to being naked in front of people, well it's just not something I am used to. So I was very apprehensive about that. I walked in very guarded and kept trying to cover up, and at times thought "oh shit I hope my nipple doesn't pop out", or " oh lord my ass is visible!". By the end of the session I was so comfortable that I was walking around completely topless and didn't even give it a second thought! All in all I was just nervous about the entire experience. Turns out i didn't even need to be!

What was your favorite part of your boudoir experience?

My favorite part was getting my makeup and hair done. As a busy mom of two kids under the age of 5, I don't even get to go to the bathroom by myself, let alone actually get time to sit in a chair and be pampered. As I sat in what i call the movie star chair and Dessa did my hair and makeup, I felt like a frig'n rock star. Looked like one too once she was done working her magic!!

What would you tell other women about your experience, would you recommend doing something like this for themselves?

I would tell other women to go for it!! This was one hell of a positive experience and I would do it again tomorrow.

Is there anything you would change or do differently?

What would I change or do differently? hmmmmm, maybe some more squats?? hahaha. Honestly though, I went into this shoot planning to be covered up. I wasn't really interested in doing a whole lot of nudity. I am SO frig'n glad that I trusted Steff and listened to her advice. I went with the flow, got way more naked than I had planned, and ended up LOVING the nude pics way more than the clothed ones.

Do you view yourself differently since your session? Do you appreciate your body more? Are you kinder to yourself?

I most definitely view myself differently now. I mean i never thought i was ugly or anything by any means. However after having 2 kids and just general aging, I wasn't exactly feeling sexy. I'd look in the mirror and see the cellulite, some stretchmarks, etc and just feel down on myself. That was pre-boudoir shoot. Now, when I look in the mirror, I still see those imperfections but the difference is, I don't give a shit. It doesn't ruin my day or my attitude like it would have before. From the moment I walked out of the studio (before seeing any of my pics) I just felt a sense of "aaaahhhhhh". I felt happier, more confident, etc. I noticed the change in my attitude immediately, and so did my husband!

Also, feel free to add anything. I just want to hear from you. Toss my questions out the window if you want!

I initially did this shoot as a gift for my husband. And, as much as he loves the photos, I can honestly say that this experience ended up doing more for me than it did for him. Steff didn't greet me with a handshake. I got a hug that felt like we've been friends for years. Her fun, playful personality shows immediately and made me feel so at ease. We laughed and carried on the whole time. When I went back to see my pictures, we cried together as I thanked her for helping me to see that I am not just "ok". My pictures turned out better than I could have EVER dreamed, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I totally didn't expect what I saw when I walked in to that image premiere. I was absolutely blown away. TRUST her ladies. This woman is absolutely amazing in every sense of the word. I walked into the studio to do this photo shoot nervous as hell and feeling just "ok " about myself....and left feeling like a frig'n goddess. xoxo