I haven't always loved my body, in fact, I spent most of my teens and 20s trying to 'fix it'. Don't get me wrong, I've always loved my curves, I just wanted less of them in certain places.
But today at
34 years old I can honestly say I love my body, every single curve. Not because
I've finally achieved that silhouette I spent years chasing (I haven't… far
from it in fact!), but because I finally understand how amazing and powerful it
is.
My wonderful
body grew, birthed and nurtured the love of my life, my perfect little boy, and
it's in the process of doing it all again! It has endured so much and is
capable of so much more, and really it's about time I showed it a little
appreciation! Because every scar, every stretchy and every wobbly bit tells my
story, the story of my children, the story of our lives together, and that's
pretty beautiful.
This is why
when our family photographer Victoria Prince suggested trying to get some slightly
risqué shots as part of my second maternity shoot, I was all up for trying it
out, after all if I wasn’t comfortable with them they never had to see the
light of day, and I’d still have some lovely classic images from the experience.
Needless to say I loved them (hence this post) and If you'd told me 10 years
ago I'd one day be sharing such revealing pictures of myself, I would've called
you crazy, but today I don't care about the haters, prudes and critics.
I absolutely
love being a mother, it has completely taken over my life, and I'm ok with
that, but every once in a blue moon it's nice to do something for me. It's very
rare, and the stars really need to align for it, but it happens, and that's
what my maternity shoots have been like.
Not so much
with my first but with this last pregnancy I've definitely been feeling a
little out of touch with my own needs. Being pregnant whilst looking after a
toddler with no OFF button is HARD! Add to it that I was working full-time from
home (so no motivation to dress nice or wear makeup) and you can imagine what I
looked like.
This shoot
certainly pulled me out of that funk! Vic requested curls (which I don't
normally invest time in), and because of the nature of the pictures we'd be
trying to get I went all out and pampered myself with all the necessary waxing,
a manipedi and a few face and hair masks to get myself ready. All of this at
home btw (I'm not made of money!), which reminded me I should do it more often
since I'm obviously capable of it!
On the day I
felt like a million bucks. My mom was looking after my little boy and I had a few
hours in the studio of just me and Vic. I can honestly say there is nobody else
I'd do something like this with. Vic isn't just our photographer, she has
become a trusted friend and throughout the shoot she made me feel not only
comfortable but beautiful, empowered and confident.
It didn't
take long before I started to get some of the finished shots and I couldn't
believe how much I loved them, every single one! They definitely embody all the
self-love I'm feeling these days and I've already chosen a few to frame and
display in our bedroom, not because I'm a narcissist (I'm not), but because
they will constantly remind me that taking care of myself and ensuring I have
some 'me time' every once in a while won't take anything away from giving my
family my all, quite the opposite in fact.
So thanks
Vic, your talent is truly extraordinary, and it's matched only by the amazing
heart and character you share with all those around you! Can't wait for our
next shoot together (if little lady ever decides to make an appearance… 41
weeks and counting!).
And to
anyone reading this, I hope this post inspires you to indulge in a little self-love,
whatever that may look like for you, just give it a go, make the time, you
deserve it!
