In a world that often imposes unrealistic standards of beauty and perfection upon us, it's easy to lose sight of our true selves. We find ourselves constantly striving to meet these external expectations, forgetting that the most important journey we can embark on is the one that leads us back to our own authentic essence. So, who do you want to be? It's a question worth exploring, and boudoir photography can be your powerful tool to unlock the answers, empowering you to embrace your unique beauty and strength.

Choosing to do a second shoot with Shalista was a no brainer for me. I loved all the images I got during my first shoot, the only problem I had with looking at those pictures now was that I was wearing my wedding ring and the images were an anniversary gift. I wanted to do a second shoot after getting a divorce, one that was for me. I looked at pictures on Shalista’s website and Facebook group to get outfit ideas, and the ladies at Bella Vous were super helpful too! I was excited for my shoot, definitely calmer getting my hair and makeup done this time compared to the last time. Narrowing down my images was difficult, I loved all of them and the book turned out gorgeous! I would highly recommend doing a shoot with Shalista, the investment is worth it! I can’t wait to do another shoot again!

This experience started out as a 10th anniversary gift for my husband! We got married young, didn't get much of a honeymoon and had our first baby 8 days before our first anniversary. We've never really had a big anniversary celebration and I knew I wanted to do something for him. I had been following your boudoir pages for years and have always wanted to do it! With that milestone anniversary coming up, I thought now was the time! I had actually been working really hard at getting my body back to "pre-kid" and what better way to celebrate that as well! Cost was always a factor... we've never had a lot of "extra" money, but if I was going to do this, it was going to be with the best photographer and this was going to be an investment! I finally made the appointment and was super excited! It don't ever recall being "nervous" about it! Just super excited that I was finally going to do this! The only thing I was nervous about was my "sexy face," I'm a super smiley person and love smiling for pictures so I think that was what I was most nervous about.

Lacey did my hair and makeup and made the start of my appointment totally comfortable! She's freaking amazing at her job and I was HOTT!!! I really couldn't wait to get started at that point and I was ready! A word to the wise....STRETCH!! If there was something I can tell everyone preparing for a session, some of the poses feel WEIRD, But I took her word! My muscles were shaking trying to hold poses, it was like a 2 hour intense yoga class in your lingerie!

In the blink of an eye, it was over and I couldn't wait to see my pictures! I made my viewing appointment and it was so hard to keep a straight face at home! I knew what I had just done was going to blow his mind and still needed to wait...until Christmas! I came to see my pictures and was completely blown away...like... speechless! The time came to narrow down my favorites for my album and that was by far the hardest part of the whole process! Literally all the pictures we AMAZING! I have my album sitting at my sister's house...waiting...for Christmas (I take that back...waiting to give my husband the album is the hardest part!) I was so amazed at how I looked from a different point of view! Like...I saw myself how my husband sees me...and I looked amazing! As moms, I feel like all we see are the flaws...the stretch marks, the bags under the eyes, the messy buns because we just don't have the time for ourselves. Being able to see myself in the untouched photos at the viewing left me in complete awe thinking "wow...this is how I look to my husband!"

This experience completely changed how I see myself! I cannot wait to give this to him as a Christmas gift!