In Their Own Skin: Lisa
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 am delighted to introduce you to Lisa today! Lisa’s story is full of growth, vulnerability, and confidence. She talks about ways she’s pushed herself and learned to love and honor her body. Here are her words.
“My body is worthy of reverence.”
“Over the years, I’ve given my body a good hard look. I’ve learned to practice behaviors that reinforce a positive narrative about myself — that reinforce the notion that my body is worthy of reverence. I’m a petite young woman, and while I’m 31 years old, I’m often looked at as an early 20-something. The standards that are posed on women to look sexy have never fit me, my body type, and my spirit.
“The looks and comments used to wear me down and put me in a cycle of comparing myself to my more developed and “sexier” girlfriends. Over time, I’ve learned to embrace my younger spirit and petite body. I’ve let go of earlier experiences that have been the culprit for the criticism I’ve made about myself. Whether I’m rocking a pair of high-waisted vintage blue jeans, sporting activewear, or wearing my ‘nude suit,’ I’ve grown to love myself and all the ways I choose to accentuate who I am -- whom I’ve learned is sexy and worth revering.”
“There isn’t much that I’m not willing to try at least once.”
“I love that I’m never afraid of new experiences. There isn’t much that I’m not willing to try at least once. In recent years, I’ve let down my walls and started nude modeling in the fine art scene — a scene that was unfamiliar to me. I have found this form of modeling to be challenging and rewarding work that demands a level of confidence, sophistication, creativity, and a willingness to be vulnerable. It’s within that feeling of vulnerability where I can experience my own confidence and ability to adapt to new opportunities. It’s the confidence to pursue the unknown that I most love about myself.
“I felt like someone genuinely saw me in the most natural form.”
“I had little expectations going into this session. Having modeled in front of strangers a dozen odd times, I’ve learned that the outcomes aren’t always what you’d expect — and to simply just not expect anything. Returning to the studio for the photo reveal was the best experience I’ve ever had reliving a photo shoot. I am in awe of these photos and how Alyssa captured the authenticity of my spirit and soul.
“In modeling, I’ve often been told to ‘look serious’ and ‘don’t smile,’ as if being a female in the nude requires a representation of strength and resilience in a rather oppressive world. Alyssa had me laughing and smiling throughout the entire session — it was to my surprise that the photos I loved the most were not the ones of me smiling, rather the ones of me presenting a more neutral and serious facial expression. It was in that moment looking through those photos where I felt like someone genuinely saw me in the most natural form. Alyssa made images of me that feel timeless and soulful — I couldn’t feel more grateful.”
Lisa, what a joy it was to create these portraits with you! I love the sense of joy, inner light, and creativity that you brought into these photos. It’s so incredibly cool how you talk about your body as ‘worthy of revering’ -- you are so right, and I’m going to keep that phrase with me. Thank you so much for trusting me to create these portraits with you!! You are amazing.