What was your motivation for scheduling a boudoir session?
I was at a place in my life when I was questioning my self-worth when I saw the opportunity to do a boudoir session. Having worked with Ore previously, I found some comfort in being able to step out of my comfort zone with someone I trust as I did something solely for me.
What made you choose Intimate Lens Studio?
Ore's artistry is beautiful! She does such an incredible job of capturing the energy and emotion in a person or even between people. Her images aren't an over-sexualized presentation of a body, but rather a glimpse into the very heart of a person. I was excited for the opportunity to be a part of that and to see myself through her lens.
What were you nervous about going into your session?
I've grown up in an era in which the beauty standards presented by media are, if anything, unattainable. This skewed representation of physical ideals and my own disordered patterns of thinking have created a sense of body dysmorphia that I've learned to live with since childhood. I knew going into this experience with these foundations of what beauty is in my mind and of what I thought I "should look like" would make it difficult to relax and embrace the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone. I was prepared to struggle with seeing such personal images myself - body on display with all of my flaws open for criticism - without the ability to change any of it at that moment.
What was your favorite part of the experience?
Ore's passion for her art! The infectiousness of her positivity and joy in what she was creating gave me a unique mix of both calm and excitement. I felt comfortable following her cues, trusting in her to show a side of me that so few see. Our time together was spent with this feeling of excitement to see where her creativity would take me to get out of my comfort zone and, more importantly, out my own head so I could truly embrace the experience.
How do you feel now that you’ve completed the session?
It may seem dramatic to say, but I feel empowered. Being able to see myself represented in Ore's photography as a person with depth and complexity rather than as something to be objectified has instigated a shift in my thinking. I've started to see myself as more than a body to be judged by the standards of other people. There is far more value in the things my body is capable of doing rather than in the aesthetic it presents to anyone else.
Would you recommend Intimate Lens Studio to others?
Yes! Ore's infectious energy and bigger-than-life personality makes working with her more than just having your photo taken. It's an experience you'll always look back on with a huge grin and warmth in your heart.
Would you do a boudoir session again?
Absolutely! This experience has been eye-opening. Being able to see myself represented as what feels like art has made me feel beautiful in a way I didn't think possible.
In 250 words or less, based on your experience, what would you tell someone who was thinking about booking a boudoir session with Intimate Lens Studio?
Booking a session with Intimate Lens Studio is an experience I can't quite put into words. I walked in questioning my sanity and wondering if I was really able to allow myself to be so vulnerable. Within minutes of being with Ore, I felt this uplifting sense of excitement for what we would be doing together that day. That's a big part of the experience I had with Ore - we did this together, we created this art as a team. This wasn't me feeling isolated on the other side of a lens while I tried to cover up the things I didn't like about myself. The time I spent with Intimate Lens Studio was me learning to embrace my body and the energy I carry with the help of someone who saw more potential in me than I knew I had.
