“I know she won’t book this on her own”…

And she didn’t.

I got to know this beautiful family really well when I photographed her daughter’s wedding back in 2020. Family means everything to them, and their bond is so incredibly inspirational. So when Ms. S’s daughter sent me an email with something she was cooking up for her mom’s 51st birthday, I was all too ready to be a part of it.

You see, her mom had raised 4 fantastic children, and she was dedicated to them, most of her life, much to the loss of herself. It was her time now. Recently becoming a grandmother, she was entering a new stage of her life. One of self discovery. She started getting to know herself again. Rediscovering the woman she is. Solo traveling, doing the inner mind and soul work were just a few things in this new journey for her. And her daughter wanted this momentous time to be celebrated with a boudoir photo session with me.

She said jokingly, “my mom won’t book this on her own” and true to her daughters’ words, Ms. S admitted the same thing to me on the day of our session. She said there was no way she would have made the move to come in and be photographed in such an intimate way, but within 1 minute of having her in the studio, I knew any walls she had up were broken down. I hadn’t laughed in a session like I did with her. She blew me away with the ease at which she fell into her own body. When she touched her shoulders, or her neck, it was as though she had been reacquainted with a best friend she hadn’t seen in decades. Little smiles of familiarity came over her face as she felt herself again.

It was spectacular to watch.

It didn’t end there.

Ms. S said she wanted a daily reminder of how badass she is, so she has a huge piece of Wall Art in her bathroom, of the most precious piece of art there is… Herself.

Happy Happy Birthday my friend. You came into this space and brought such joy, and such a beautiful light. You are a soul like none other.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Aniya, xo