Being A Trans Person Means My Relationship With My Body Can Be Complicated.. This Photoshoot Has Been Part of Learning to Love Myself For Who I Am
What is your name and age?
My name is Tia and I am 30 years old.
When did you come in for your Boudoir Shoot? What made you decide to book?
I came in April 2023, and I came because my sister had a brilliant experience with you!
We have quite in-depth phone calls with you before your experience! Do you feel that it was an important part of the photography experience? Do you feel it added to the experience?
Absolutely! Being able to express what was important to me about the photos and how I wanted to think and feel made me super confident that the team understood what I was aiming for. They were really open to how I wanted to express myself, and really listened to me.
Having a professional makeup artist work with you on the day, do you think this added to the experience, and what did it do for your confidence coming into the shoot?
It made it feel like a full experience - and I’m not a makeup pro so it helped to know it had been done brilliantly.
A lot of Divas feel self-conscious about having a Boudoir experience, knowing what you know now, what would you say to any person feeling a little self-conscious about treating themselves to this experience?
It’s ok. I did a little too! But it’s such an empowering experience and also really comfortable - that self-consciousness disappeared really quickly during the session. And it was so great to know I’d done this for myself.
What was it like actually being photographed? How did you find the photoshoot iself?
Delightful! I had a lot of fun, it felt super chill, and Jesse was fantastic to work with, It was brilliant to work collaboratively to find looks that worked for who I am. He was super open to my desire for a more gender-neutral-to-masculine style to reflect my experience as a non-binary person, and had a brilliant vision.
Tell us - what was the moment you saw your photos for the first time like?
Amazing! I was definitely a bit nervous but the reveal experience was amazing and it was so great to see myself looking so confident and so much like myself. It was also overwhelming in a lot of ways - there are photos that I didn’t choose because seeing myself for the first time was quite challenging and my instinctive reaction to them wasn’t entirely positive. There are some where I look softer and possibly more feminine and I found that difficult to reconcile with my gender identity and the way I present myself. But they’ve really grown on me since, helping me to see past the idea that soft = feminine, and I definitely hope to lean into that a little more if I visit again.
How have other people in your life benefited from this experience? What have they said about your photos?
My friends have been really proud of me and super impressed!
Confidence is a big thing. How has this Boudoir experience elevated who you are in different areas of your life? How do you feel in your body now?
I think of myself as a pretty confident person in many ways, but being a trans person, as well as other body changes over the last few years, means my relationship with my body can be complicated. I’ve been on a journey to love myself as I am, and this photoshoot has been a great part of that journey. When I see my photos up on my wall, it reinforces my knowledge that I look awesome and I’m being entirely myself.
What stood out for you about this experience?
How welcoming and open everyone was, that it was such a welcoming and inclusive experience, and how fun I found it.
How do you feel every time you look at your artwork now?
They’re a reassurance that I am me and I’m brilliant the way I am.
We know we’re not cheap, but sometimes we just need to know that we are worth treating! Do you believe that what you received was valuable and do you believe that this was money well spent?
Definitely, it was a great experience! The artwork is beautiful and really high quality.
Boudoir is for everyone; not just women. We adore our transgender and non-binary Divas, and we want everyone to know that our studio is a safe and inclusive space. You’re more than welcome to get in touch to just ask some questions, or if you want to meet the team before you come in then we’d love to do that too!
Every Boudoir experience is tailored to the personality of the Diva coming in, so don’t think there is something Boudoir ‘has’ to be. It is about celebrating YOU, so we meet you where you’re at.
Feel free to call us or whatsapp us on 01225 483151.