Abby | Carlisle PA Boudoir Photographer | Shannon Hemauer Photography
SEVERAL IMAGES TASTEFULLY SHOW NIPPLE AND MAY NOT BE “SAFE FOR WORK.”
Before | Shannon Hemauer Photography
A few days before her boudoir session, Abby asked if she could incorporate her wedding gown into a few images. I, of course, said YES; however, I’m not a wedding photographer—I don’t want to shoot you so you look like bride on the wedding day (that’s your wedding photographer’s job)—but I do want to find ways to incorporate bridal elements into your boudoir session. I told Abby to bring anything else bridal she’d like to use, so she brought her veil and a parasol she carried down the aisle.
Before her session I asked Abby to tell me a little bit about herself and share what she’s hoping to get out of the session. Take a moment to read her words and then contact me to schedule a phone consult to discuss how you want to be photographed.
Bridal Boudoir | Shannon Hemauer Photography
Initially, I wanted to do this session for my husband. We got engaged and married within about 8 weeks. There just wasn’t time to do everything I wanted, including a wedding boudoir session. We’ve also been through so much through his very lengthy divorce, continuing custody battle, moving twice in a year and a half, and blending our four teenagers into a family, that we just haven’t had much time for us. So I wanted to give him a gift and hopefully inspire us to continue to hold on to each other and grow as a couple.
At the same time, I wanted to give myself something. I wanted the help of a professional to capture the best and most beautiful parts of me so that I may be able to shift my perspective on myself.
Plus, I’m not getting any younger. And there’s never the perfect time for anything, so I decided to just go for it now.
Boudoir | Shannon Hemauer Photography
Birds and dogs make me happy. Baking and cooking make me happy. I love comedy, and tend to like the dark and twisted stuff. I’ve been told for years I should try standup myself. Being snarky and sarcastic and making analogies to explain things is one of my coping mechanisms, and I do a lot of coping, so I’ve honed that skill over the years.
Boudoir | Shannon Hemauer Photography
I’ve struggled with my weight since college. Around the time I met my husband, two and a half years ago, he and I both started melting off the pounds without really trying. Years of stress had put on the pounds. He lost 60 pounds and I lost 30. I still struggle with what I feel are the last 15 pounds to get to a place I want to be. I won’t even go into the self-esteem piece much, but suffice it to say, lack of self-worth is a HUGE piece of my damage. I struggle daily and have worked on this for my whole life.
[By doing a boudoir session] I hope to see myself as beautiful. I hope to be able to look at my body and not immediately gravitate to all of my imperfections and flaws and things that can be improved. I hope that I am able to relax and let go and trust in the process. I hope that Shannon is able to capture me in several different ways: The softer, sweeter, more feminine side of me. The empowered, in-control, seductive side of me. The darker, mysterious, temptress side of me. I hope my pictures are able to capture all those aspects and moods to allow me to feel safe in being all of those things in my love life.
I love dressing up and costumes and personas. It’s a safe way for me to express myself as “another” person but really as myself. It allows a buffer between putting myself in a vulnerable position and expressing another side of myself.
Boudoir | Shannon Hemauer Photography
I’m completely open to trusting Shannon and the process. There’s virtually no pose or idea off the table for me. I’m open to whatever comes during the session and wherever the process takes us.
I believe Abby felt I was able to show her all of those things.
Before & After | Shannon Hemauer Photography
A big thank you to lead stylist Nath for doing another amazing job with hair and makeup, and to Dianna for helping set up that huge black/white background!
Can you relate to Abby’s words? Contact me and let’s chat about you doing your own session.
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Abby | Carlisle PA Boudoir Photographer | Shannon Hemauer Photography
