PRESS RELEASE

April 2016

BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY CREATES WAY OF EMPOWERING WOMEN AND FINDING INNER CONFIDENCE

Boudoir photography shoots are fast becoming the in-thing for women of all ages to help them beat self-esteem and insecurity issues. Dubbed ‘empowerment sessions', these photoshoots are all about helping to empower women and encouraging them to find their inner beauty and confidence.

Susie Mackie, 58, ownsMy Sensualityin Cheltenham and has recently seen a rise in requests for boudoir shoots. She says: ‘Confidence is not a given and a lot of women suffer from low self-esteem. I believe it is not an entity, it's a state of mind. It comes from acceptance of your body and mind (self-esteem), and feelings of wellbeing and belief in your abilities, skills and experience. Of course there are many ways in which you can increase your self-esteem and therefore your confidence - and experiencing a boudoir or beauty shoot with me is just one of them. These empowerment sessions are a fabulously empowering way to accept your body and even love it!'

Susie has been helping clients to embrace their bodies and transform the way they think since undergoing her own life-changing journey. She says: ‘Having come through two marriages, I undertook a degree in photography, earning a First Class BA (Hons) in Photography when I was 50. During that time I discovered my husband's affair, and over the next few years I divorced, moved, project managed building work, re-married and set up my own photography business.'

Susie set up her boudoir photography business after also having been diagnosed with ME in 2001, a time when she felt at her lowest. Her idea was to use boudoir photography to help women resolve self esteem issues, increase confidence and find a new sense of self worth.  

Susie launched aMy Sensualitya few years ago and hasn't looked back since. Susie is a mother of two, and has used her own experiences and subsequent crisis of confidence to create a positive driving force to build her business and reboot her life, and to help other women in the process. She now uses her talents and newly-found confidence to help other women with her boudoir photography empowerment sessions.

Cheltenham-based psychotherapist Lorna Denton is an advocate of boudoir shoots, saying: ‘I have actively encouraged some of my clients with low self esteem to brave the boudoir shoot as it is a great way for someone to step outside of their comfort zone and really build confidence. Anything that encourages people to be proud of who they are is a positive in my book!'

Verity Wright, 34, had her first boudoir shoot prior to her wedding with Susie last year, and it transformed the way she thought about herself.

This is Verity's story.

‘Whilst at one of my wedding dress fittings, my girlfriends and I chatted about what I could do for my fiancé as his wedding gift. My dress designer suggested a boudoir photoshoot withMy Sensuality. We all thought it was a fabulous idea and after a glass of champagne for some Dutch courage I gave Susie a call. As the day of the shoot came ever closer I became more and more nervous about what to expect. After the birth of my son my figure was not what it once had been and the thought of being "sensual" and semi-naked had me quaking in my boots....

‘When the day finally arrived I was as prepared as I possibly could be ...... hair coloured, legs shaved, body moisturised within an inch of my life and a set of bridal underwear ready for the big day itself! From the moment I stepped through the doors of the hotel all my fears and trepidation melted away when I met the delightful Susie Mackie and her team. You can't help but relax around Susie's infectious smile and bright young eyes. We chatted about the ‘plan' for the day all the while feeling like I was on some sort of hen party with my closest friends! It's clear from the way Susie talks about her work that she is truly passionate about celebrating female empowerment and that no matter your size or shape every woman is beautiful, sensual and holds the power to captivate another person with just one sexy glance!

‘The whole experience was simply fabulous....one giggle after another! They made me feel so at ease with my body and helped me to achieve the most amazing photographs which both my husband and I will treasure for many years to come. On the day of our wedding, our photographer captured the moment he looked at my prints and he was blown away! Even now, years later, he takes them with him when he's away from home to remind him of our special day.

‘My experience with My Sensuality has taught me a valuable life lesson which I shall hold dear for a lifetime......never underestimate the power of a sensual woman! By believing in yourself and revelling in your inner beauty, charm and the magnificence of your own womanhood then pure unadulterated sensuality will radiate from within you. I for one have changed my perceptions of myself following this liberating experience.'

Judith Knight, 38, was nervous before her shoot with Susie. Susie recalls their meeting: ‘We met when I did my first signature talk "5 Steps from Frumpy to Fabulous!" at a local WI group. Judith signed up the next day in spite of a money shortage, because of what I said about feeling more confident - and she really needed confidence, needed to get to a place of feeling better about herself. So she took a leap of faith, telling me "I don't know if I can do it, if I have enough confidence to get to a place where Icanfeel more confident...".

‘The day before the shoot, I received a text from Judith:"Hi Susie, I'm freaking out about Wednesday! I'm at my heaviest ever and wondering if I've made a huge mistake. I don't think I have the right things to bring as I've put on so much weight recently whilst I've been off work with severe anxiety and depression. Sorry, just having a major wobble. Judith".

‘We then spoke - and she says I gave her permission to have a wobble, that I gave her the choice to postpone or cancel, that I validated her feelings, and was compassionate.... so she decided to come after all.'

This is Judith's story.

‘I chose to do the shoot as an anniversary present for my husband, but I was essentially doing it for me to feel more confident and better about myself. During the experience, I felt accepted, not judged. Susie and her make up artist were brilliant, putting me at ease and making me feel comfortable.

‘I went from feeling nervous and scared to really enjoying the process. I felt pampered, like I was someone really special. Susie gave me so much affirmation that my positivity built. When I saw my images, I realised that I can look beautiful in my photos - and when you look better you know that others value how you look - so you feel more valued and you then value yourself more - it's a sort of chain reaction. Perhaps it shouldn't be that way, but we know that society's values are like that - and it doesn't matter because 1) I can look like that and 2) I remember how it made me feel.

‘The way Susie does her photography is not artificial - there is no artifice in her imagery. I found the experience even more powerful considering I did it after the feelings I expressed in that text. After the shoot, I left feeling a foot taller, my head was held high, and I felt glamorous, beautiful! When I saw my images, I felt proud, gorgeous.'

Five months later, Judith says that she is more accepting of her body, saying: ‘It is just a body, not the essential me, and that bodies change - life, babies, medication - and that's ok. The experience had a positive part to play in my life - I took new steps in my business life and in my personal life - all based around the whole thing of valuing myself. I'm now able to be more assertive, and not tolerate bad treatment. I value myself much more and now have a true sense of who I am.'

Susie adds: "My Sensualityis way of helping my clients to love themselves - and as I am repeatedly and joyously told - it can be life changing. With the boudoir shoot, the empoweringexperienceof the shoot itself leaves my clients feeling transformed, liberated and confident. When they receive their images they are amazed at how fabulous they look - so with the combination of how theyfeeland how theylook, the transformation, the empowerment, the confidence - and the sense of self worth, is powerful - and lasting."

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For more info, images and interview opportunities, and further case studies please contactclaire@garfunkelcommunications.co.uk/ 07734 702653

Website:www.susiemackie.com