In Their Own Skin: Natalie
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 overjoyed to introduce you to Natalie, the next participant in the “In Their Own Skin” series! Natalie tells her story of self-discovery, feeling, and healing with thoughtful reflection. Her journey of self-discovery and seeking out joy is so uplifting and encouraging! Here are her words.
“I’m Natalie, and I’m 34 years old. I’m a wife of almost ten years to my husband, Christian. I’m a mom to a 4 year-old and 5 year-old. I’m a nurse by trade who took a total leap of faith five years ago that took my life in a different direction -- I started my own business! I’m a lover of living life to its fullest.”
“I found so much more joy.”
“For me, the last 2-3 years have been most transformative. I’ve been learning to be open to life’s experiences. I can be very ‘type A,’ so I found a career where I was very task-oriented, checking all the boxes and doing all the things.
“And then I just felt this calling from a more creative side of me. However, I’m not very artistic -- I appreciate the expression of art, but I didn’t really know what being more creative meant! But when I started my skincare business, I found that I liked that I could have a say in how I show up in the world and how I create relationships.
“As I observed that, I really shifted in how I have a relationship with myself. I worked through a lot of grief; I lost my mom when I was 19 and was a freshman in college, and that was a very transformative year. As I worked through that grief and pain, I really started to live life with much more openness, grace, and willingness to let life unfold without trying to control it -- and I found so much more joy as a result.
“I learned to give myself grace when life doesn’t unfold in the time I want it to, or exactly how I thought it would. I learned to delight in how special and unique life really is. It’s been quite a growth journey, for sure!
“It’s so fascinating -- for so long, I was trying to control everything. I could control my career, so I poured my heart and soul into that, because I was trying not to feel all those feelings. But then as I’ve done some grief work, therapy, spiritual work, all of that -- the holistic picture -- I’ve realized that it’s okay to feel, to be human, and to give myself grace to experience the whole spectrum of life. That’s been really eye-opening for me and has brought me greater joy.”
“How are you really?”
“I think what I love most about myself is my ability to really feel. I’m very empathetic. I think I received this special gift from my mom -- she was very much a feeler and very intuitive.
“I think my superpower is being able to feel, and really just connect with people on a much deeper level than just, “How are you?” Which I think is really a big deal right now in our world -- I can ask, ‘How are you really?’ and really feel and observe and listen to that.
“Sometimes I have to be careful because I feel so much. I feel all that’s going on in the world. But I think it just makes me better connect to people on a very human level, and be very honest. It’s not always easy, and that’s okay. I think it’s what makes me special.”
“Pay attention to what brings you joy and follow that.”
“Something I feel really strongly about is helping moms rediscover what brings them joy, because I think so often it’s tied only to our role as a mom and we lose ourselves. I think as I’ve learned to observe what gives me joy -- not just in my business, not just feeling good in my skin, but what truly makes my soul happy -- has allowed me to be a better wife, mother, and human being.
“Part of my message for women in general is to really pay attention to what brings you joy and follow that instead of doing what society makes us feel like we should do.
“That has been one of the biggest growth edges for me. In starting a business that maybe not everyone supported in the beginning because it was very different from (being) a traditional nurse, I’ve redefined what helping means. A lot of what I do is listen to women share their stories about their relationships with themselves. So I’ve just learned to follow my own joy, and to not always listen to what other people think I should do or think what my life should look like -- because they’re not living it!
“I just saved a little quote that said something like, ‘Sharing your own authentic story really gives people that permission to share theirs.’ And there’s such a gift in that -- not trying to be something that you’re not (or that’s not aligned with your true self) allows you to find joy again in life. That’s what I’ve really learned in the last few years.”
Natalie, it was such a joy to spend the day creating these portraits together! The way you live your life thoughtfully seeking joy is so beautiful. You are such a lovely, uplifting, and kind inspiration to me. Thank you for trusting me with your portraits -- I am so grateful that our paths crossed!