From the moment Miss K stepped into the studio for her first boudoir session a few years ago (check that out here and here), I knew she was FEELING this experience.
This Stripped Down boudoir session, her second shoot, was no different: Miss K chose to show up for HERSELF which shines through in the depth, beauty, and raw power of her photos.
This is her journey, in her own words:
“Everyone has a story. Whether it's tragic, uplifting, inspiring, or raw. Given the opportunity to share, I know that my story, my struggles and triumphs, could help someone -- even if it's just one person. I will always try for opportunities to shed light on what I have fought through and what I've fought to become.
Being selected for this series opened my soul more, and I hope it shows others that it's OK to love what you've been given, what you've fought for, and what you are -- deep down to the most raw, real version of yourself.
For this series, I saw the words 'Stripped Down' exactly as they were. I wanted my raw traits to be shown. My scars, tattoos, bruises, and road marks are what makes a person who they are. I wanted to share every one of those within this series. I didn't have an outfit ... I already have such a beautiful canvas that tells an extraordinary story.
This shoot was my own way of showing myself what progress I've made in my fitness journey.
My first shoot with Marie was my accountability to keep up my journey in the gym, so it was AMAZING to have a second shoot to really show the progress. Not only that, but I got to see myself in such a raw light that I really found a new LOVE FOR MYSELF. “
“I had a rocky (to say the least) relationship with my body. I grew up an active farm girl and athlete and this body has been good to me, even if I don't always see it.
At the beginning of the year, I started a fitness journey learning what it means to be STRONG, not just skinny.
This body flips 1,500-pound tires and runs miles daily.
This body has walked me across the nation, through traumatic events, and into the successes I have today.
My tattoos will always be one of my most cherished parts of my physique. They each have a very deep, meaningful story and I love the opportunity to share the reasons for each one with others. Tattoos are a person's roadmap through their lives, and I love that.
As a successful woman in a professional world dominated by men, I'd say every day is a challenge. However, three of my biggest challenges have collided with my life in the past five years.
Five years ago, I suffered a Grand Mal seizure in my own bed. After countless repeats of this, blacking out on the sidewalk, and in a plane, I sought help - after hundreds of seizures, brain surgery, 26 staples, then finally I was healed.
The second biggest challenge was the sudden, traumatic death of my beloved father. Losing someone is, unfortunately part of life; but it's never expected on the day it happens. Losing a parent will always be one of the hardest things a child will go through, no matter the timing the cause or the relationship with said parent. I have come to realize that my time with my loved ones is finite, and I must cherish every second I am given with them.
The third challenge shook me to my core and unexpectedly built me stronger than I ever could have imagined. The person who I was certain I'd spend my entire life with abused and tortured my feelings, heart, and emotions. He took advantage of me in ways I never could have expected. It was a long stretch of time before I was able to walk out of a relationship that killed my confidence, my soul, and ripped me from my loved ones.”
“Since my shoot, I have taken a huge leap into a new job, continued to grow in the gym, and have utilized the feeling I got in front of Marie’s camera to remind myself that I am STRONG, brave, and one BADASS woman.”
— Miss K
“Today, I am stronger because of my struggles.
I know that the most important and precious thing I can do with my family is to physically be with them. Time spent talking and being in each other's presence is huge for me.
My passion is helping people, helping them to develop their skill sets in order to be the best version of themselves.
One of my favorite traits about myself is the ability to speak to anyone and everyone I meet. I'm never intimidated by any one person; I cherish my ability to sit down with someone and really hear them, being able to draw out their strengths for them to see and utilize.
After this shoot with Marie, again, I felt like ONE IN A MILLION.
Marie has such a talent for making women not only comfortable but also COMPLETELY EMPOWERED.
Walking out I knew that she and I had created something so gorgeous, but also so different from my last [session] and that was a feeling like no other.”
…The road hasn't always been open highways, there have been twists and turns along the way…
Miss K’s journey from "transformation and self-reflection" to thriving fearlessly began with her decision to say yes to herself. She gave herself permission to shine.
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