I am, “Understanding, Accepting, Funny, Honest, and Now Sexy”
For her first ever boudoir photography session, Ms. T was referred to Jeri Hoag Photography by a friend. She was excited to let loose a bit and to really come to terms with the body that she now resides in. Like so many women, Ms. T’s journey to self-love has been long and arduous. As a young girl, Ms. T was bullied for her weight. This led to body image issues that followed her into adulthood – issues that led to low self-esteem and a battle with self-love and worth. Ms. T said, “I can personally say that I’ve never truly felt good or sexy in my own skin.” This battle to love not only her body, but her own self, only fueled the issues that she had with weight. To cope, Ms. T found herself resorting to emotional eating. As her weight increased, she found herself eating more and more. It became a cycle. In her mid-twenties Ms. T began to work out and to opt for healthier eating habits. Her dedication and hard work led to an 85-pound weight loss. “Even at 135 pounds, I still failed to see myself as what most would label skinny, let alone beautiful or sexy. It didn’t matter how much weight I lost, every time I would see my reflection in the mirror, I still saw the fat young girl whom no one liked.”
Ms. T continues to fight her battle with self-love and acceptance every day. But while doing this shoot with Jeri, she found herself setting aside those feelings of being less-than.
“For a brief moment in time, the awful thoughts and feelings I have for myself were gone. I actually felt sexy for once. Then being able to see the photos with my own eyes only increased those feelings and made me realize I am sexy. I am beautiful… I am still a strong woman and that in itself is sexy. My battle is nowhere near over of course, but I do feel this gave me a good boost in confidence that I hope will grow into more…”
When asked what she learned about herself because of this shoot, Ms. T confessed that the ability see herself through another’s eyes, through the camera’s lens, revealed to her that she is, “…not the ugly ogre I feared everyone envisioned me as.” Ms. T found the session to be “empowering” and “freeing,” “raw” and “beautiful.” It gave her an opportunity to let her inner beauty shine through to reveal and highlight her outer beauty. Jeri helped Ms. T to feel at ease and to relax. They shared laughs and this allowed Ms. T to settle into her session and really enjoy the opportunity to do something for herself.
When asked what advice she has for other women, especially those nervous to be vulnerable in front of a camera, Ms. T was a wealth of knowledge and life experience. Her sincerity and compassion for women and their journeys to self-acceptance and love is undeniable. She had this to say, “Don’t let the fear of other’s opinions stop you from loving yourself and feeling good in your own skin. We all walk different paths in life and what may work for one, may not work for another. So do what makes you feel good. Do it for yourself and own self-love.” She also encouraged women to take that chance, to chase after that risk. She encouraged women to not fear or be ashamed of their bodies. Ms. T’s journey that she so bravely shared with JHP, reminds us that women’s bodies are beautiful and should be treated as such, that we deserve to love the bodies we have, the bodies that house our spirits or souls, or whatever it is inside of us that makes us, us.
Ms. T encourages all women in the St. George and surrounding areas to book a boudoir photo shoot with Jeri of JHP. She refers to herself as a positive woman who hopes and believes for the best out of every situation in life. She went into her session expecting it to go well, but even she was blown away with how great the session went, and how remarkable her photos turned out.
These photos, a gift for her significant other for Valentine’s Day, turned out to be a gift for Ms. T herself. As she said, she is, “understanding, accepting, funny, honest, and now sexy.” Ms. T – you have always been all of these traits and more. Your beauty has always existed, inside and out. But Jeri Hoag Photography feels beyond honored and thankful to be a part of your journey to self-love, and to have played a role in opening your eyes to your beauty, value, and worth.
JHP encourages anyone struggling with what may be disordered eating or other mental health issues to seek the help of a medical professional. We stand with you and wish for you to know that you are not alone.
Jeri Hoag Photography now empowering and instilling confidence through intimate boudoir photography for the everyday modern woman in St. George, UT/ Hurricane, UT/Washington, UT/Leeds, UT/Ivins, UT/Santa Clara, UT/Dammeron Valley, UT/Veyo, UT/Shivwits, UT/Littlefield, AZ /Las Vegas, NV/Mesquite, NV.