“I Didn't Want to Avoid My Tummy Because It Is Part of Me… and to Avoid It Is To Deny Who I Am”
What is your name and age?
My name is Debbie and I am 50 years old.
What made you decide to book your Divine Divas Experience?
I have been for two shoots now, the first one was back in September 2022 - I think! I saw an advert on Facebook and I thought it would be an amazing experience, it would make me feel fabulous and I knew my partner would like some cheeky pictures!
Obviously you’ve been to us twice now! What made you come in for the second time?
I enjoyed the first shoot so much! The whole experience was amazing, right from walking in the front door to seeing the photos on the big screen. Why wouldn’t I want to do it again?!
Your second experience was a nude experience! How did you find that?!
It was very liberating and, in a way, it was actually easier - I didn't need to think about what outfits to bring! The photographer and myself laughed a lot throughout. I think a Nude Experience is a really good way to develop a greater acceptance and appreciation of your body - just as it is at that moment.
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?
I don’t wear make up at all generally and, for me, it was really important to be my authentic self. However, having some very soft and natural looking make-up was really lovely, and the process of being made-up is really, really delightful… With a glass of bubbly, some excellent music and wonderful chat, it sets things up really beautifully for the photoshoot.
A lot of women feel self-conscious about having a boudoir experience - especially plus-size Divas - 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?
I think it is really normal to have doubts, worries and concerns…
I know those doubts. “What if my tummy looks too big?”, “What if people are going to judge me?”, “Maybe I shouldn’t be doing something like this because I'm bigger”....all those horrible little voices in your head.
What I would say is fuck them all. People will judge you whether you've got clothes on or not, but I have never experienced that at all at Divine Divas. I have been felt cared for, loved and cherished by everyone.
You are beautiful regardless of your size - and the Divine Divas experience may well help you realise that. Go for it - you will never regret it.
What was it like actually being photographed? How did you find the photoshoot itself?
It was excellent fun! Jesse and I chatted and laughed the whole way through. I didn’t feel at all self-conscious, even when he was spraying my boobs with water and baby oil!! Which sounds bizarre in itself but the photos are amazing.
Tell us - what was the moment you saw your photos for the first time like?
I was overwhelmed; the setting for when you see the photos for the first time is so well thought through. There is a big screen, music selected to suit the person - it was like my own premiere at a movie theatre. I cried, seeing myself like that - I’d never had that before.
How have other people in your life benefited from this experience? What have they said about your photos!
I've shared some of my photos with friends who thought they were stunning. I've talked to them about the experience and come to realise that it does require courage to do it. My partner loves them very much - let’s just say they had the desired effect!!
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 - for example has this confidence affected your relationship or your career? How do you feel in your body now?
I appreciate my body more now, exactly for what it is today, and I think that has changed how I walk and conduct myself. My partner loves my soft tummy, and since the shoot I feel more able to celebrate it with him.
If this experience helped you find part of you that you believe you had lost or maybe felt you had to hide away, which part of you do you believe you have been able to rediscover because of your boudoir experience with us?
I said at the beginning that I didn't want Jesse to avoid taking pictures of my tummy because it is part of me and to avoid it is to deny who I am, and he did take shots of my tum! I have them in my treasure box and in the wall art as well, and I am so glad that I have
How do you feel every time you look at your artwork now?
Every time I go into my bedroom and see my artwork, I get a little jolt of "oh, that’s me, I look fabulous!". Who doesn’t need that every day?!
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?
No, Divine Divas are not cheap, but that artwork is such good quality. My experience and my artwork is absolutely worth every penny.
Thank you Divine Divas.
As we’ve often said, Boudoir isn’t about hiding you - or making you smaller or younger. It’s about helping you celebrate you for who you are, and feeling beautiful for being yourself. That philosophy applies to everyone.
If you’d like to find out more, just call us on 01225 483151 or email jo@divinedivas.co.uk.
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