Every once in a while, there is woman who comes in to my Annapolis studio for her boudoir session and I just KNOW she’s doing this for alll the right reasons. This shoot, this special occasion is ALL. ABOUT. HER. These are the days that I live for. I pour so much of myself into this work, she is fully there and committed. Trusting the process. And magic happens. Here is a story from one of my beautiful clients that she wanted to share to uplift and inspire other women.

“I have faced more than my fair share of hardships. I lost both of my parents at a young age and had to fend for myself from then on. Despite the many challenges I faced, I remained resilient and was determined not to let these obstacles keep me from becoming who I’m meant to be in this life.

When I met my husband, we married quickly. After two months, I KNEW I had met the love of my life despite many saying we shouldn’t move so quickly. We had a small ceremony surrounded by close friends and family and for a while, it seemed like all of my struggles were finally behind me. I was able to find happiness at last.

However, life had one more challenge in store for me. Tragically, my husband was diagnosed with a terminal illness and passed away 7 years into our marriage. I was devastated by the loss and struggled to come to terms with it. He was the love of my life–there was no one more perfect for me than him. I thought my life was over.

I’ll have to be honest and say that for a while, grief consumed me. But after some inner work and deciding not to be mad at God, I channeled my pain into positive things. I made it my business to help others in need and go to grief group meeting. I found solace in knowing I was making a difference in the lives of others, and it gave me a sense of purpose.

It’s been 3 years since my beloved John passed and I decided to honor his memory and my new phone purpose with a boudoir shoot. I wore the ring he bought me for our engagement and his favorite tie. It was a way for me to embrace my own beauty and femininity, and to celebrate the love that we had shared.

Through my struggles and hardships, I have become a stronger and more compassionate person. I know that I have been through a lot, but I also know that I have the strength and resilience to overcome anything that life throws my way. And I will live the rest of my days with hope, grace, and determination, knowing that I have triumphed over loss and pain.”