I heard about Katie's boudoir work through a friend of mine. She said she did a session, and was absolutely glowing with confidence when she showed me her photos. My friend told me I should do a session, and I thought, "I don't think so" and gave a nervous giggle. Katie's work was amazing, but I wasn't the type to really leave it all out there.
Throughout middle and high school, I was teased, ridiculed, and harassed for my fast developing curves. It took a lot of years, a lot of God, and a lot of doting from my husband to feel the way I do about myself. Still, I wasn't sure I was able to do something so "not me". I'm a tomboy, musician, and for the most part, an introvert. But then...
...This same friend sent me a link to Katie's website, and what came up was that she was looking for "Glambassadors"; women who wanted to lift up other women. Women that had been through things with their bodies. Women that may also need a confidence boost. I thought, "Ya know what? I'm going to try to become a glambassador. If I, a size 16, can strip myself down to lingerie in front of a camera and learn to be comfortable, maybe I can help someone else love their body."
The email letting me know I was chosen to be a glambassador immediately sent a wave of excitement through me. I was going to get prettied up by professionals and, as my husband said, finally see myself the way he does. The butterflies and countdown began.
Fast forward to the day of the shoot, I arrive at Katie's studio, bag of next-to-nothings in hand. "I am curvy. I am porcelain. I am a queen" I thought to myself, almost trying to convince myself in my mother's voice. And as soon as I walked in, the air felt calm. I knew this was a place where girls of every shape and size were put on a pedestal and encouraged and empowered.
Throughout hair, makeup, and the shoot, all I felt was acceptance. I felt like I was on top of the world. Every flaw I feared to bear seemed nonexistent. The constant encouragement and coaching made me feel like a goddess. When I finally saw my pictures, I was speechless. I'd never seen myself look so feminine and soft. I actually believed and was ready to admit that I looked pretty. My confidence has soared from this experience, and I'm so glad I did it.
Any woman that has ever had a problem with herself or has battled to come to a point of self love, needs to do a session with Katie Larrington. Her work goes far beyond photography. Her work is uplifting her fellow female, and that's exactly what she does.
