My Boudoir Experience Has Allowed Me To Feel Proud of the Surgery That Ultimately Saved My Life

What’s your name Diva?

My name is Meg!

When did you come in for your Boudoir Shoot? What made you decide to book?

I came in for my boudoir shoot at the beginning of December. It had been a tough couple of years for several reasons and when I saw an opportunity on social media to win a Boudoir Experience my best friend encouraged me to go for it. Having had surgery in 2016 for bowel disease resulting in an Ostomy bag, I really wanted to prove to myself, and those that I advocate for, that sexy is all about mind over matter!

Obviously, 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?

I had done a similar shoot elsewhere about six years earlier and was so disappointed with the results that I actually burnt the prints almost immediately - but from the very beginning, the experience with DD was completely different. The pre-shoot phone calls put me at ease and gave me the opportunity to share my thoughts and feelings about the shoot and my reasons for doing it. Jess, Shannon, and later Jesse, were really encouraging and engaging and made the process easy, comfortable and exciting. They were as excited as I was to get me in front of the camera strutting my stuff! It also meant that on the day, when I walked into the studio, I felt like I was meeting with friends, not strangers, which helped to put me at ease and not focus on the fact I was about to get virtually naked on camera!

My niece and I!

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 ??

Shannon is a magician in the make-up department - it's as simple as that. She listened to what I was hoping to achieve and absolutely nailed it. I felt like a glamourous version of myself, without a mask of make-up on, or leaving me with a face I didn't recognise...I still need to learn how to do eyeliner so quickly and precisely! As a result, when I went through to chat with Jesse about the plans for the shoot itself, I was feeling more relaxed and self-confident than I had in a long time.

A lot of women feel self-conscious about having a boudoir experience - knowing what you know now, what would you say to any woman feeling a little self-conscious about herself and treating herself to this experience?

Once Shannon had gone above and beyond wrestling me into suspenders (I don't bend that way, how do people do it?), I let Jesse work his magic and trusted him to get the best shots. He was amazing at directing me into specific positions that he knew would work for me! I remember feeling a little apprehensive beforehand that it was going to be a male photographer on the day, but once I was in the studio all that faded away because Jesse kept reassuring me and there was absolutely no awkwardness at all.

What was it like actually being photographed? How did you find the photoshoot itself?

I had brought several outfit options and props, and always intended to end up with some beautiful, sultry shots in my best lingerie; so I was surprised to find myself enjoying the experience so much, and feeling more body confident than ever, that when it was suggested I try a few shots wearing little more than a smile I went for it and felt totally comfortable doing so. I surprised myself for sure!!

Tell us - what was the moment you saw your photos for the first time like?

Once the shoot itself was over and I was taken through to the viewing suite with Jess I was genuinely astounded. The pictures far exceeded what I expected and I had a really hard time choosing the handful that I did. I remember being completely stunned at how I looked. It was the me that I see in my head, but not the me I see in the mirror. I never refer to myself as beautiful, but that's all I could say, "Wow, I look beautiful".

How have other people in your life benefited from this experience? What have they said about your photos!

Since the shoot I have had so many compliments from friends and family on the wall collection I chose to be printed, I'm confident I made the right choices. Whenever I am feeling fat or frumpy or plain I look at the wall and see glamorous and beautiful me. I have never liked my legs but I can't stop looking at the pictures of them; I hate that I have a large chest and they're the first thing I criticise in photos, but now they're the focus for all the right reasons. And apparently my cheekbones are the star of the show...who knew?!

Confidence is a big thing - in fact it is everything. How has this boudoir experience elevated who you are in different areas of your life?

After suffering from bowel disease all through my thirties, and subsequently bowel surgery and the addition of a stoma bag, it has been hard to feel sexy and confident, even with clothes on. I constantly wear clothes that disguise the bag and the weight gain I've had due to medication - but since the shoot I've stopped worrying so much about it. I have worked with my local IBD team for several years, speaking to others who have had surgery and are experiencing the same thoughts and feelings as me. I tell them that the bag doesn't change a person and doesn't stop a person doing anything that they want to do - but I wasn't taking my own advice. Now I can firmly say it doesn't stop me. One of the most meaningful photos that I picked is a close-up of my bag peeking above my underwear. I look at that multiple times a day and I feel so proud and grateful; and whilst the other photos I chose are displayed in our bedroom reminding me every day that I look amazing, my stoma print is proudly displayed on its own on the bathroom wall so that every single person who sees it knows how proud I am to show off the surgery that ultimately saved my life.

So many people have said that this is the best money that they have ever spent on themselves - we know we are not cheap, but some times we just need to know that we are worth spoiling outs selves - do you believe that what you received was valuable and thinking about it now and all that this will give you for so many years - do you believe that this was money well spent?

The whole experience with DD from start to finish has been amazing. The team are so warm and friendly, the shoot was truly empowering and the end results are beyond my comprehension. It was worth every penny that I spent, and truly shows that you get what you pay for...there's no way I'm ever burning these photos!