Are you guys ready for another Body Love Project story? You know you are, and so are we! This time, we’re talking to Cat, a vivacious vixen whose photo shoot was as hot as she is! A perfect mix of mysterious and bold, Cat shares her boudoir journey in a way that will keep you fascinated and wanting more. Another reminder, when you see the * in front of a sentence, that’s us adding our Bare Elegance sass to the story. We can’t wait for you to read all about Cat below!
Trigger Warnings: Disordered Eating, body image issues
Before the Shoot
Tell me your story. What do you want people to know about who you are and why you are participating in this project?
I'm an Actress and Personal Trainer. I grew up in the Carolina's and have since hopped all over the country for different contracts and events since about 2015. I grew up with a lot of body confidence issues stemming from a family history of poor body confidence and working in two very aesthetic-focused industries. I yo-yo dieted for most of my life and know what it's like to live everyday with a heightened awareness of "how gross do I look right now?"
After graduating from university, I decided it wasn't how I wanted to live the rest of my life. I began a long and arduous journey toward self-acceptance that continues to this day.
When shooting with Ginny, I told her "I wouldn't have dared do this a year ago." The fact that the Body Love Project not only intrigued me, but attracted me, is evidence of the growth I've had in the last few years.
This is my own form of a victory lap. A celebration of finally, truly, loving myself.
*From now on, all victory laps in all activities must be performed in lingerie, we are campaigning for it starting now!
Tell me about all of your favorite features and the things you would like to emphasize in your photos! This can include physical body parts or a part of your personality!
On my body: my hair, my shoulders, my butt, and my calves 😍
Personality: I'm not easy to read. I am not a naturally vulnerable person and by extension have my secrets...
*Oooh, we love a good secret! A little mystery is good for excitement ;)!
Are you nervous about having boudoir portraits done? Tell me about your feelings leading up to your shoot.
I'm not! I'm excited. I'm fairly used to being in front of a camera, so none of that is new to me, but I've never done something like this so I'm not sure what to expect.
*Is this a bad time to make a Spanish Inquisition joke?
When did you decide that Bare Elegance was the right boudoir studio for you? Was there any one moment that stands out in your mind?
The mission. The fact that the Body Love Project even exists is evidence enough that this is the kind of studio I want shooting my photos: a place where people are celebrated and encouraged to love themselves.
What do you want other women to think and feel when they view your portraits in your featured blog post? Is there anything else you want to share?
I want them to feel inspired to create. To see boudoir as so much more than sexy, but intriguing, curious, inspiring...it's all about art and I want the photos to have the same effect as all art can.
After the Shoot
Now that your session is over, how do you feel about the experience? Was it everything you had hoped?
Yes, and more! I loved that Ginny had structure to the shoot, but was more than willing to collaborate and play with poses and settings as well.
Tell me something that you learned about yourself from having this experience.
I really like lingerie. I don't wear it often and it feels empowering and fun to have on. No different from a power suit or stellar evening gown. That same effect. I love it.
*Let’s add lingerie to the list of suggested pieces in the modern wardrobe ASAP! Add this to the campaign platform we mentioned earlier!
If you were nervous before, tell me when your nervousness disappeared.
I was a little nervous but not bad. Once we started shooting however, I became completely unfazed. No different than any other shoot I've done before! Creative, artistic, playful...just a different set of outfits!
Do you have a final message or take-away from the Body Love Project?
I highly recommend a boudoir shoot to any woman on her journey of self-love. You deserve to feel empowered and the best way to do that is to try something outside of your comfort zone and see for yourself the stunning powerhouse of a woman you really are.
*Stunning powerhouses indeed! We’re so glad we got to work with Cat, and all of our other participants in this incredible project. If reading these has made you think it might be time for your own journey of self-love, reach out to us! We’re SO ready to give you the goddess treatment!