PA Boudoir Studio | Erin’s Session | Shannon Hemauer Photography

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Erin is a recently divorced, 35-year-old momma of two rambunctious boys. When I asked Erin before her boudoir session why she wanted to do one, she said, “I love lingerie! But I have a hard time [seeing myself in it]. I want to do this session because I want to try to get past that feeling and see myself in a whole new light. I want to feel sexy, and have proof that yes, I can wear this or that. Because looking in a mirror I just don’t see it. I critique my shape and my skin and am afraid of what someone else would see. I always used to be super shy as a kid and I do feel like that is still there deep down. I want to break out of that shell. I might do and say some crazy things, but this is the one thing that I just can’t get myself to do. So I want out of my session to have fun, but most of all, to overcome my fear and see myself in a way that I can feel comfortable outside of the session itself.”

Below you’ll find my after-session interview with Erin, as well as many of her images sprinkled throughout. Please take a moment to read over the post, and then contact me to discuss how you want to be photographed.

How long have you been wanting to do a session?

About 2 to 3 years and contemplating with Shannon for the last year and a half.

What made you decide Shannon Hemauer was the photographer to work with to do your session?

I have been following her and her work long enough that I felt confident and comfortable with her doing my pictures. Her work and her explanations are fully disclosed and she’s amazing!

What was your favorite part out of the entire experience? The planning, the session, the reveal?

The session was a fantastic experience start to finish. But I love how she metaphorically holds your hand thru the entire process. The reveal was by far the best part because it brought me so much happiness and joy to see myself this way… I actually had tears of joy.

Did you leave your session worried about your hair/makeup (Maybe you thought the makeup was too dark or your hair didn’t look like you.)?

I absolutely loved it! Her stylist [Nath] made sure to keep everything true to what I usually wear and it looked absolutely stunning!

Did you leave your session worried that the posing felt awkward?

I left feeling like I actually did a workout! You would not believe how sore I was from posing!! But the pictures show how absolutely beautiful it was.

What were you more nervous about—the session or the reveal? Why?

I was very excited about both the session and the reveal. I was very nervous when I first set up the date for the session however. Shannon very quickly calmed my nerves with all of her explanations and professionalism. I was slightly nervous for my session only because I had no idea what I was in for… but they quickly subsided when I met her and her team.

Did you arrive to the reveal worried if you’d like your images? Why?

I was worried only because I have never done anything with posing before. I had no idea that moving this way or that could make you look so much differently than you are used to seeing yourself!! I had so much trust in Shannon’s expertise though, that even though I was worried, and when she showed me the first couple pictures… it made me feel so much better about myself and in what she was doing! It was straight up fun from that point on!

What did you think when you saw that first image of yourself?

I was just in awe… was it possible that was me??? Yes. Absolutely. I saw the pictures, well some, during the session and saw them all again [at the image reveal]. And there was very little Photoshop. It was all ME!!

If you had been worried about the hair/makeup/posing, did you like what you saw in your portraits?

I absolutely loved them… loved, isn’t even the word… astounded by them!

How did shooting this session with Shannon Hemauer change your outlook on yourself? Are you more confident?

Absolutely! I’ve shown friends and family her work and the compliments on myself and her work, has made me a bit more confident. We’re all human, and it’s amazing how she can make you see yourself in a whole new light!

Would you consider yourself a women who is very critical of herself in photographs? If yes, why are these portraits different from photographs in the past?

I am very! Critical of my body shape, parts of myself that have changed after having kids and what stress can do to your body. I just do my daily routine and try to dress up when going out, but then seeing myself in a tasteful way has made me realize there is more to a photo of myself than in past photos. I’m a WOMAN with a figure, that I’ve never seen before, especially in photos!

Before this experience, did you feel you were photogenic? If no, do you feel you are photogenic now?

I think after this experience, I realized everyone is photogenic in their own way… and it takes a talented person like Shannon to make those qualities shine in a timeless photo. And I even learned about ways to pose to make myself MORE photogenic, things I can use in other situations!

Before this experience, what concerns did you have in regards to hiring a photographer?

The biggest thing was TRUST. I wanted to have trust in her quality of work… which I followed for months. I wanted to have trust in her to [help me] wear revealing clothing because I have never felt comfortable in front of anyone with those styles of clothing. I gained a ton of trust in her and her decisions… and a new friend.

Were you surprised at how much fun you had planning your session, shooting your session, and seeing your images?

It was very fun to do all the steps needed to have a successful session! [Her method to prepare for the session] seemed drawn out at first, but it was all necessary in order to have everything in order to complete the process start to finish efficiently. I never thought shopping for outfits would ever be so difficult!! But I learned so much along the way about myself [during this time].

Would you recommend Shannon Hemauer Photography to your friends? Why or why not?

I would and I absolutely have already!! She’s very knowledgeable and professional! She’s a real artist with the camera!

Is there anything I could have done to improve upon your experience?

No… it was the best experience for my first time!

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Hair & Makeup: Nath Kreider
Assistant: Dianna Fromm[/vc_column_text][vc_masonry_media_grid style=”lazy” grid_id=”vc_gid:1622157909703-7a1dac83-c53f-4″ include=”13836,13848,13850,13851,13849,13854,13852″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_cta h2=”” txt_align=”center” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”REQUEST INFORMATION” btn_color=”white” btn_size=”lg” btn_align=”center” btn_button_block=”true” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fpaboudoir.17hats.com%2Fp%23%2Flcf%2Fxncrsnvftkbwnvdvrznxhvfxfpkpvzbz|target:_blank”][/vc_cta][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][/vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#887350″][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#887350″]