Last winter around Thanksgiving, I finally made a commitment to myself. I decided I was going to do a boudoir session because I had been telling myself for two years that it was something I wanted to scratch off my bucket list. I often tend to put the things I want as the bottom of my priority list. I had been taking some time do examine all thethings I was thankful for in my life. I realized I had not even noticed that I had not taken the time to appreciate anything about myself. This was somethingI had to do as it was going to be one of the ways I was going to celebrate myself. Little did I realize that this was something I needed more than something I wanted. It became a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Before my session I spent some time gathering all the things I wanted to bring with me. I tried to pick out somethings that represented a few different parts of myself. Something soft,something sexy, and something simple. When I went to the photo shoot I was excited but had a few reservations. It took courage and bravery for me to go that day as I was nervous as to how things would go. I wasn’t sure of what to expect and I had never thought I would allow someone I didn’t know to see me in such an intimate way. I can tell you it was the best thing I have done for myself in such a long time. It was worth every second and then some. It freed me from what I thought I saw in the mirror each day. It gave me something I never expected and for that I am so very thankful for the amazing, talented person who took the pictures.  

What I expected to find when I returned to view the pictures Shalista had taken were different poses of my body in different outfits. What I saw shocked me and I glanced over to see my partner’s expression. I could see the admiration, love and tenderness in his eyes. What I saw took my breathe away and at times I could feel the tears as they welled up in my eyes.  Each picture told a story and captured more than I ever expected to find. I saw radiance,beauty, vulnerability, tenderness, and someone connected to her femininity. All the things that I would normally see in the mirror were suddenly gone because I realized that the little flaws I would have noticed didn’t matter anymore compared to the pictures of the woman in front of me. I saw myself in a way I never expected… graceful, confident, exotic, and sexy. How could I not see what was right in front of me this whole time?

I kept thinking to myself as I was taking in each picture. WOW! I can tell you I am not the same person I was before I went to the studio that day. I am more in touch with who I am and appreciate parts of myself that I had not done before. I hope that anyone who would like to do a boudoir photoshoot but has any concerns or hesitations will find a way to your door Shalista because you truly bring out the best in people with the amazing work that you do. Thank you again and sending you much love!

Miss J

1. What made you decide to do a boudoir session? Please describe how you came to the decision and what finally made you take the leap!

   I have always wanted to do a boudoir session because I had a friend do one and her pictures turned out amazing. I wanted to find a way to express the different parts of myself that I only share with my partner and see what that looked like from a different prospective.

2. What made you decide to hire me as your photographer?

   I had also seen so many great pictures shared in Shalista's private facebook group and the photos of the beautiful women were breathtaking so I knew I wanted to book a session with her.

3. How were you feeling before your shoot? Any thoughts going through your head?

   I had my concerns about how the photos would turn out as I had never taken such intimate photos with someone I didn't know. I was a little nervous and didn't think the pictures would turn out the way I had envisioned in my head. I was really hoping that she would be able to capture something that I had never noticed about myself. I really wanted to see myself in a new light so to speak.

4. Now that you've had your own photo shoot, how was it?

   The photo shoot was amazing and I found myself smiling throughout it. Shalista is very easy to talk to and work with. I was impressed with the expertize and the time she took to make sure that she knew what I wanted to accomplish with the session. It was an experience I will never forget and probably have to repeat again in the near future.

5. Is there anything I could do that would make this experience completely perfect?

   I cannot think of anything that would have made it more perfect. I know for next time I will take a little more time to pick out some poses that I would like to try.

6. How did you feel about having your hair and makeup done?

   I loved meeting the stylist and she did a fabulous job. I felt pampered and afterward couldn't stop smiling.