“After losing the weight I still looked at myself as overweight,  I did not understand what others saw.”

Ms K

When I decided to focus solely on Boudoir portraits five years ago, I never realized just how impactful it was going to be.  Ms K is another tremendous weight loss story I’ve had the honor of photographing. After working hard for 18 months, she was down 150 lbs but struggled to see herself as she was.  She only saw the woman from 18 months ago, not the one who fought for her health and won.  This shoot was so much more than just confidence boosting- it was going to completely alter her perception of who she was now.  Talk about heavy realizations.

You have got to hear her journey, in her own words, below.  We made her session about truth and pushing her visual boundaries.  If you don’t check out her story and images below, you are missing out!

Tell us your story, a little bit about you and why you decided to do a boudoir session?

I had 4 children,  all thru fertility treatment,  that did not help with weight gain. Also the child were close together.  I was 250 lbs at my heaviest.  I ended up having a particularly Hysterectomy at the age of 30, that also did not weight gain. I was wrapped up with 4 small kids and work and being married. I had given up everything that was for me and gave myself to my family and work and life.

At the age of 32 I had serious stomach/digestive  issues that resulted in surgery and a major lifestyle change.  I started to put my self first, not bc I was being selfish but bc I wanted to be here for my kids when they got older. I ate better and walked and dropped a few lbs but nothing major. In January of 2019, I had a kidney stone,  this would be the 3rd time of having them. I ended up in the er and had to have an CT scan to see where the stone was at. They found the stone but they also found a softball size mass on the overy I had left. I ended up with two surgery to fix the kidney stone,  and the mass ended up being cancer but in early stages.  I ended up having another Hysterectomy to take out the mass and remaining  ovary. I had went right into menopause and continued to struggle with weight. Following the surgery I had issues and pain in my lower abdomen and rectum.  Later after many doctors appointments and a  Colonoscopy they found that during surgery my rectum was nicked and the cause of my pain. Thru this who adventure I was constantly told u needed to lose weight. 

I started biking and eating right and putting myself first again.  Every day I took 1 hrs to work out. I made meals that were healthy for all of us. After a long hard 1.5 yrs I have dropped down to 150 lbs. Once I started to lose weight I ft better and the health issues went away. When I booked these pictures I told myself it was for my husband but in the end I needed to see what everyone else was seeing and was so proud of me for. I never in my wildest dream though I could look so beautiful. 

What was your biggest concern prior to booking your Boudoir Session? How do you feel now?

losing all the weight I have extra skin and I don’t look perfect or even close. 

What, specifically, did you enjoy most about your portrait session and why?

I felt comfortable  bc Cassy understood and could relate to my worries and  Insecurities

What did doing this shoot do for your self confidence, self worth, and self image? Tell me your story.

After losing the weight I still looked at myself as overweight,  I did not understand what others saw. One day a friend took a picture of me with out me knowing and later I saw it and was shocked that it was me. I knew that these pictures would help me see what others see.

Was your experience what you were expecting? If not, how was it different?

it was beyond my expectations 

 I am grateful you chose me to create art for you K.  Never forget how amazing and worthy you are<3

Hair and Makeup by Danni Manning

Have you thought about booking your own shoot with Cassy? Download your complimentary Dream Shoot Planner by clicking HERE.  It will tell you all about the experience and what to expect.  I would love to chat with you! You can give me a call directly at 319-849-5152.  You can also email me at info@chrysalisboudoir.com.  I can’t wait to hear from you!