How to be a F*ckin Queen in your Photoshoot
I’m going to be honest up front - I do not have all the secrets on how to be a f*ckin queen every day of your life. I live a lot of my life in pj’s, putting on yet another load of laundry, and trying to remember when I last washed my hair. What I do know is what it feels like to occasionally be in my flow. To be feeling myself and my vibe, to be strutting down the street, smashing a creative project out of the park, radiating energy and feeling connected and centered within myself. Is it all the time? Absolutely not. When it happens do I sometimes wish I could bottle it up so I could pull it out on those super tough days and remember the feeling? Absolutely.
My queen shoots is how I bottle this up for you, my epic, brave clients. To revisit when the kids are sick, you're exhausted and you’ve forgotten what it feels like to feel like yourself.
One of my favorite parts of this is spending a few hours talking and creating with you - incredible, real women. Having a good ol natter about anything and everything that makes you tick, makes you feel alive and in your flow. We will create a space for you to feel and think about nothing but yourself for a moment. I give you permission to remember who you are and what lights that fire inside you.
The second part of these shoots is to find that spot that helps you feel your best. Could be a cliffside - could be the reading nook in your lounge room. Could be while you and your friends have cocktails, or while you do your personal training session. There is no set way to do a Queen shoot..like there is no set way for you to be a woman. It’s different for everyone, and I kinda like that every one of us will feel her best in different ways.
Now - hands up who is already talking themselves out of this? That (annoyingly loud) voice in your head has said, “oh no, I couldn’t possibly” or “I wish I could do this but [insert negative self talk here]”. Not at all surprising and heartbreakingly realistic for all of us I feel. I have a few suggestions, and also a very understanding and empathetic ear for you to talk it out with - ain’t no judgment here. Not my style.
Feel the fear and do it anyway - Yep. Booking a photoshoot for yourself, where YOU are the focus is fucking scary. No kids to hide behind, no family or event to distract you. It'll be just you and me. This is the moment you take a deep breath, hit the BOOK button and take the risk. It will be so worth it, and so much fun - TRUST ME.
Be awkward, be nerdy, be silly, be yourself - the whole point of this shoot is for you to be you. Whoever that is, and however that looks. If you're feeling funky at the start and awkward as heck - be that way! If you feel better dancing out your wiggles - let's boogie! If being silly makes your heart light and your body joyful - lets plan the silliest shoot ever.
Look at yourself with grace and kindness - We are all victims of the harshest critics ever - ourselves. I know that putting yourself in front of the camera feels useless because all you see in photos are those niggly little flaws your mind constantly reminds you about. To this, I gently suggest self compassion. View yourself and your photos with grace. One day you'll look back at yourself with much kinder eyes and realise that you were (and are) in fact - beautiful.
Indulge in the alone time (I mean - I'll be there...but you get the point lol) - This shoot is ONLY 2 hours long. Barely a blip in your week. While there no one will ask you to do anything, no one will interrupt and you can focus completely on yourself. When was the last time your self care looked like that? Let's celebrate and feel sassy and giggly doing something so decedent and freeing in the middle of your day.
You can count on one main thing during Queen Shoots, and that is that I will capture YOU - a fabulous, strong, deserving woman who is healing, learning, embracing and doing the best she can. Even if you can't see it, It's there. Trust me. Imagine when you look back in 20 years and see yourself. See how you thrived, and lived and enjoyed being you. It'll be worth it.
