She Was A Mess…

…and I had no idea what I was getting myself into

That is what a client of mine felt when she was preparing for her session.

Let me back up a little.

So many of my clients are worried they they’re going to be the one the doesn’t fit in on my page, that they’re the one that wont look beautiful.

Kelsey has been with my boudoir group since the beginning I’ve known her struggles long before her session was booked. Women like her are the exact reason that I do what I do and love it.

She walked into my studio and immediately started tearing herself down. She apologized that she looked like a bum dressed in comfy clothes. When she sat down in the chair for hair and makeup she told me “Crystal I was prepping for my session and all I kept thinking to myself was this poor woman has no idea what she is in for with me, I am such a freaking mess, this is never going to work for me.” Erin and I both smiled and I said “just give me an hour, that’s all I need to show you that you’re wrong.”

Our lives are like puzzles. Everyday were trying to put pieces of our puzzle together; family, career, a home, a car, money… each day were trying to click pieces into place to see the bigger picture of our lives. Some days none of the pieces are together and we feel like a complete mess. Some times we have a few pieces clicked and some floaters doing their own thing, maybe making a transition in life. And sometimes we get a glimpse of the big picture when we have most of our pieces locked in their spots.

Maybe your puzzle pieces are all over the table, maybe you lost a piece, maybe you have a piece to a totally different puzzle all together… this doesn’t mean that you are any less worthy or strong or that your picture is never going to come together. Sometimes you need to walk away from a puzzle and come back with a fresh set of eyes to see that one piece you need to make it all come together.

I already knew about what Kelsey’s transformation was going to look like and be for her. Like I said, I knew a bit about her struggles already. I knew what she was needing to see and feel, and I knew she was ready to get there. She was worried about her body, she was worried about her life, she was worried she wouldn’t photograph well. I gave her the space to have those worries, they’re nothing to be ashamed of. We walked away from her life puzzle just for a little while, so she could rest her eyes and ease her mind before coming at it again.

I’m not going to be the person to tell you that your fears are wrong. I know that’s not going to work because to you your concerns are 100% real and valid. I’m going to pull you away from your puzzle just for a little while so we can clear your mind so you can focus on you, and you alone. I’m going to give you the space to have those fears and explore them, and then open you up to help you find the truth.

I promise you that I know exactly what I am getting myself into, I know what I am doing when I take you and your fears on, and I know how to help you no matter how incomplete your puzzle is.

The question is, are you ready to walk away and take a moment that is just for you so you can come back stronger and more ready?