Boudoir Photographer, Marina Meier, is helping women to self love, embrace their femininity and feel worthy again with her striking images. Alana Lowes chatted with three stunning ladies about regaining their confidence to showcase their real self.
Andre Pflug
Andre is in her 50’s and is very confident
What made you decide you wanted to have a Boudoir Photography session?
That was a spontaneous decision. I saw Marina’s boudoir work and was instantly intrigued and decided to find out more information. Because I was looking for a Christmas gift for my partner, I kind of had a perfect excuse to book a session.
Why did you choose Marina?
It was coincidence. I didn’t shop around checking any other photographers. It just felt right to book the session with Marina, as I felt connected straight away. She is such a lovely, open-minded and warm-hearted person. I think we have quite a similar positive attitude towards life.
What made you go ahead with it?
Marina had so many ideas and would come up with new poses, I trusted her and followed her directions. We laughed a lot and had fun and you can see that in the photos.
How did you feel about the poses?
Actually, she wanted to capture the real me and gave me free reign with posing, but since I’ve never been in front of a camera, I was initially restrained and did not know how to pose. Marina would then explain and show it to me and that took away the uncertainty. I tried my best to mimic her and we created some great pictures. The downside was I had sore muscles the next day.
When you saw your images, what was your immediate reaction?
WOW that’s me? Sexy on the one hand, on the other hand, I saw the happiness in me that people appreciate so much. So I was baffled, that one photo can express so many things.
What about family and friends, what did they think?
My family’s reaction was very positive. As the wall arts were a Christmas present for my partner and we usually celebrate Christmas with the family, they saw the photos when he was unwrapping his present. Even my father who was 78 at that time said to me: “They are stunning!” My partner loves them!
Has the experience given you extra confidence in your life?
This experience didn’t change my confidence. I guess you would need to have confidence to some degree or at least be a little bit adventurous before booking boudoir session. I believe the most important part in boudoir photography is the connection and trust between you and your photographer. If you don’t feel good around your photographer the whole experience might become a disaster. Luckily for me I had Marina as my photographer.
Karen O’Donnell
Karen is in her 60’s and is a lovely person and was nervous before her shoot
What made you decide you wanted to have a Boudoir Photography session?
I had been having a hard time caring for my sick husband and a friend recommended I put my name in the draw to win a Boudoir session with Marina. We met for coffee and I instantly liked her. I was lucky enough to win the session but I had some reservations.
Why did you choose to go ahead with your session with Marina?
I have never been the centre of attention. I like to be behind the camera and not in front of it so I was naturally hesitant when Marina contact me and asked if I would like to have a session with her. But I talked it over with my husband and I decided to go for it, I had never done anything like this before so why not give it a go.
Were you nervous before the shoot?
Yes. The day of the shoot I wanted to backpedal. Even as I was driving I wanted to turn around and when I arrived I sat in the car and nearly sent Marina a text telling her I couldn’t go through with it.
What made you go ahead with it?
The only reason I got out of the car was the trust I had in Marina. She is a wonderful person and I didn’t want to let her down.
How did you feel about the shoot?
The first thing we did was sat down and had coffee. There was no rush, no sense of time pressure. I showed her my outfits and I sat down and Marina did my hair and makeup and we talked. We talked through the entire shoot. She made the session safe and as I changed into each outfit I become myself and less scared.
How did the session make you feel?
To be honest I felt a true sense of empowerment. I felt scared when I went in and I left feeling like a whole woman again, it was liberating and freeing.
When you saw your images, what was your immediate reaction?
Age comes on so fast you don’t even realise it and when I looked at my images I remembered what it was like to feel beautiful. My true essence was shining through. I wasn’t a grandma, a mother, a carer…I was a woman again and that made me feel special.
What about family and friends, what did they think?
I have shown my friends and they love them. They are amazed at the artistry of the images and the emotion they can feel from the photographs.
Has the experience given you extra confidence in your life?
It really has. It is so surreal and hard to explain. I walked into the foyer of the hotel with a real sense of fear and I left with such a sense of empowerment. It is such a unique gift Marina gave me. The whole experience has given me the encouragement to do other things I thought I couldn’t. The session gave me my identity back.
Beverley Rilatt-Richardson
Beverley is in her 70’s and is a true feminist.
What made you decide you wanted to have a Boudoir Photography session?
I met Marina at a networking meeting and we had an instant rapport. A few coffee sessions later Marina unexpectedly presented me with a gift of a Boudoir session and I instantly said yes.
What made you trust Marina?
Marina has an excellent way of making you feel at home as she is just a sweetheart!
Were you nervous before the shoot?
I was excited to have the session but I did feel a bit on the vulnerable side. Once we started I was able to relax and abandon any self-judgement I had.
How did you feel about the poses?
I was a bit self-conscious at the beginning but then I started to feel good and confident. The poses didn’t feel uncomfortable or outrageous. Marina would take a photo and look at the back of her camera and be thrilled in what she was capturing which gave me great confidence.
How did the session make you feel?
I felt confident, beautiful, feminine and like a Goddess.
When you saw your images, what was your immediate reaction?
I really loved them and I looked gorgeous and beautiful. They were so modest and tasteful a true piece of artwork.
What about family and friends, what did they think?
I have only shown them to a close friend at the moment and he said they were lovely. A lot of my friends have asked to see them which I will be happy to do.
Has the experience given you extra confidence in your life?
Yes without a doubt. I feel more confident in how my body looks and is presented. It was a positive and uplifting experience.
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