Apr 4

Apr 4 LEARN HOW THIS FORTYSOMETHING MOM WENT ON A FITNESS JOURNEY TO BOUDOIR SHOOT

Cate Scaglione | Editor, Photographer, Business Owner

(C) 2019 BY CATE SCAGLIONE | LIFE AS FINE ART Shared with clients permission. Images protected by US Copyright Law. — (C) 2019 BY CATE SCAGLIONE | LIFE AS FINE ART
Shared with clients permission. Images protected by US Copyright Law.

“Being both soft and strong is a combination that very few have mastered.”

— anonymous

Photography by Cate Scaglione | hair and makeup styling by Toni Messina @tonimakeupartist

As much as I love creating artwork for clients, there’s nothing more gratifying to me as a boudoir photographer than sharing my client’s images and stories after the session. These stories take on so many forms. But, the common thread is — my clients often share the words that many of us cannot express ourselves. I am so grateful for that. These women create stories of relativity that inspire others.

People (even other photographers!), ask me how all the time I am able to get so many boudoir photography clients to share not only their images from their session…but also their words.

And the truth is, it’s surprisingly pretty easy. When you give someone the opportunity to feel strength and empowerment, it is contagious. They want other women to feel that kind of strength and euphoria.

These are strong feminine spirits with power, struggles, histories, victories, insecurities, pride and honesty— “SHE” has something to say. Sometimes, she just needs a venue to feel it and to say it. And that’s what we do.

She shares not because she needs attention, or validation or approval.
She shares because she wants to acknowledge her strengths.
She shares because she recognizes the beauty of herself through art.
She shares because she would rather provide inspiration with her thoughts than closure.

Each is an important story that she is telling in her own way, through the work that we do. In the following story, my client is the picture of perfection. Brains, beauty, elegance, athleticism, hell she is even a medical doctor. I would go to my barre class and see her there, and think WOW that woman is everything. Is it possible, I thought… a doctor, a specialist in the human body, ever feel self conscious of her own body?

We are all in fact, human. And we feel things that are not always visible. These are the words of an inspring woman over 40, who shows us (#GOALS!) anything is possible when you set your mind to it. And while we don’t all need to have her abs to do a successful photo shoot, it helps to have her mindset.

“After years of having gained a lot of weight (20-30 pounds), I decided after the birth of my first child that I would get back in shape. That was 11 years ago. I started running with other moms in the neighborhood, eventually joined a gym, started working once a week with a personal trainer. Then, I gradually took on more challenging boot camp style classes and even did a several triathlons including an half-ironman.

Throughout it all, I was never really happy with the way my body looked, particularly naked. Where others would see muscles, curves or definition, I would see cellulite and wrinkles. Last September, I started spending weekends in Red Bank, NJ as a way to get out of the (New York) city.

I discovered the Renaissance Studio in Red Bank and started coming to the Barre and Body Art classes. Over the course of the year, Barre helped firm up my midsection, and I started feeling better about how I looked.

One day while storing my things I noticed the Life as Fine Art sample album and fell in love with the poses. Some of the women were skinny, some were athletic, and some very curvy, but they were all beautiful and glamorous.

It made me think "Why not stop criticizing yourself for the things you haven't accomplished and instead, focus on the gains you have made".

I booked a session a few months out thinking it would motivate me to work out more or harder, but life had a different plan. My personal and professional life became extremely complicated, leaving me no extra time to devote to preparing for the shoot beyond what I was already doing. In the end, I went in to the session as I generally usually look and let Toni (the hair and makeup artist), Cate, and a great studio with terrific lighting do their thing.

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I feel much more comfortable that I look good in my skivvies (and without!) While the hair, makeup and lighting are never going to be the same, the undies and my body will be (at least for now).

So many women don't see themselves as beautiful or sexy, and Cate helps you see yourself in that lens by capturing you through hers. I hope all women get a chance to see that side of themselves because it is refreshing to take a moment to celebrate something you probably have criticized every day.

It was also great to have permission to be sexy and provocative without the ramifications of unwanted male attention or judgment. On most days, I leave the house with no makeup and my hair tied up and go do my job, and so this boudoir session was a complete departure for me.

I loved her photo album and her website pictures. Little did I know she was super fun, and made the shoot very comfortable. I don't know that I would have felt as comfortable with just anyone, and Cate made it relaxing from the moment

I got there. She was very reassuring, and gave great feedback about poses and angles. I loved the positive reinforcement she gave throughout because at times, you can get struck by a feeling of ‘oh how silly I must seem posing here with an attempted sultry look on my face’...

I think we can all agree this is anything BUT silly. I am so thrilled that this gorgeous, strong, intelligent force had the opportunity to reframe herself through her experience.

If you think you are ready to give euphoria a try, click here. Or call 732.676.3700