Welcome to the “In Their Own Skin” series.

One of the biggest honors of my job as a boudoir photographer is hearing the stories clients share with me. While these stories are not mine to share on a public platform, I hold them close in my heart. They bring me inspiration, strength, and light in a way that only true humanity and vulnerability can.

I created the “In Their Own Skin” series to share some of these stories with you. The “In Their Own Skin” participants graciously consented to share their stories (told in their own words) alongside their boudoir pictures. My sincere hope is that these stories and pictures will bring you moments of strength, uplift your soul, and encourage you to keep moving forward, especially as we navigate these challenging times.

I’m really excited to introduce you to “J,” the next participant in the “In Their Own Skin” series. “J” has experienced challenges with her body and journeyed through them with resilience, strength, and determination. She came into the studio ready to celebrate herself, and I think it totally shows in her boudoir portraits! Here are her words.

“I felt like my body didn't work.”

“My name is ‘J.’ I grew up in a small town in Minnesota, and I’m 24 going on 25.

“In high school and middle school, I was very confident -- ‘I love myself, I love who I am, I’m rocking it, I love my body!’ Then I went to college...and I got really sick with Crohn’s Disease (meaning my immune system attacks my bowels). And it kicked my ass.

“I was really sick. I couldn’t eat anything. I was too embarrassed to go out because I just went to the bathroom feeling sick. I was like, ‘Okay, this is horrible. I don’t feel pretty, I don’t feel sexy.’ My body was slowly deteriorating.

“I was in a really bad relationship, and my mental health deteriorated. One of my friends also passed away in college. My whole world just went *poof.* I wasn’t expecting that.

"I never thought I'd be that person. In my mind, it was, “I’m gonna meet new friends, I’m gonna meet a husband, and get a business degree.” I really thought that was going to be my life.

“College didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. I didn't have fun like everyone else did. And while I got through it, I felt like my body didn’t work, my brain didn’t work. And I didn't have a career that I wanted -- I didn't even know where I wanted to be.”

“I’m gonna go do something for myself.”

“Coming to terms with my own self was really hard for me. My parents didn’t talk about mental health, they didn’t believe in medication. The town I grew up in was very small, so we didn’t talk about that stuff.

“I decided to move for school. Through there, I was like, ‘You know what? I’m gonna go see a therapist. I’m gonna go do something for myself.’ And I did.

"I had to be alone and self-validate, because this world will always be about validation from other people… in reality, you just have to internally make sure you’re good enough for yourself. It took me so long to realize that.”

“There are positive ways to talk to yourself.”

“I loooove therapy! It's a non-biased, safe space for you to process your emotions and your well-being. There are some things I would never know how to figure out myself. I wish I could send everyone to therapy because it is so magical, and it's a safe space that so many people can benefit from.

“Before therapy, I'd get mad at my body for failing me when I have worked so hard to try to make sure it's healthy. I would find myself thinking, 'Well, I'm broken, I'm broken, I'm broken. And I'm only 24! What is my life going to look like when I'm 60, 70, 80?’ My negative thoughts really snowballed.

“Of course, there are definitely still challenging days when I just don’t want to deal with having Crohn’s -- but, I just had to start looking at the facts and become grateful for the things that I can do. My body does do things: I can go on walks, I can go and see my friends. Even though I can't eat a lot of foods, I can eat these foods… I've started trying to look at the more positive ends. And so my body is always changing through life events, and now I'm accepting the change. This is where I want to be.”

“I definitely try to see the best in people.”

“Crap happens! It isn't your fault. You didn't ask to be sick, you didn't ask to have cancer, or you didn't ask to get hit by a truck. Sometimes it's just bad luck. No one's trying to punish you or is out to get you; you've just gotta be a little stubborn and you'll get through it.

“I have resiliency. I'm stubborn. Shit happens, but the world moves on and you stay stubborn and you stay positive. Sometimes there isn't a positive, but you never know -- tomorrow is usually better. And the next tomorrow, and the next week, and the next year.

“Working through my own experience has definitely made me more flexible. It’s made me more independent and more sympathetic towards people, and less judgmental. I definitely try to see the best in people."

“J,” thank you so much for sharing your story with us. Your resiliency and stubbornness are such an amazing force to be reckoned with! I am in awe of your positivity, your strength, and the beautiful way that you've created a life you love for yourself. Thank you so much for everything - I'm so grateful that we met.