The Vision
About a year ago, I had an idea. In the spirit of our annual anniversary party, is there are way to be able to spread the word of our mission, and the experiences we provide. A way that is organic, just like our growth, but also allows for individuals to feel more empowered to share their stories. I would see it in conversations, in reviews and in conversation. Stories of the confidence that the photoshoot inspired, and how incredible their experience was. And it was from this, that the Ambassador Collective was born.
The First Round of Ambassadors
When I opened applications for Ambassadors, I knew I wanted a variety of individuals, from different walks of life and that provided a snapshot of the individuals we have worked with throughout our years. As applications began coming in, I had a feeling with each application I would read, who would be a perfect fit for the brand.
I had known Lauren for a while at this point, and when I had the idea of having an Ambassador Collective, I had hoped that she would apply. There were several reasons for this. I saw her innate beauty, inside and out, as well as how she didn't recognize how beautiful she truly was. She is unconditionally kind, committed to helping others feel their best through her work as a cosmetologist, and expresses herself with love and compassion first. Did I also mention she is an aerialist? We met at Go Getter Movement Studioz, and performed together on a couple occasions.
Throughout her term, she truly came alive. The Ambassador photoshoot was her first formal boudoir experience, and we made sure to have it truly reflect her personality. With vibrant green colors, overcoming the cold to immerse her in nature, while adding in the flannel and the hat that nods to different aspects of her personality. In addition, the comfort she felt with her good friend (also an Ambassador), was infectious, and added to the overall experience.
Since this photoshoot, she has gone on to model for Angel's House of Design's Angel's After Dark lingerie line, and did an additional photoshoot in a reptile tank. It's so cute I promise, and it continues to amaze me the different ideas she poses to me and the creativity that has come with the confidence she displays more openly.
Lauren is an incredible human, and a good friend. Honestly some of my favorite photos I have ever taken.
Similar to Lauren, Ariana came to mind when it came to women who inspired the Ambassador Collective conceptually. She radiates as she walks into any space, and her confidence unwavering. She is fun, charismatic, and endlessly confident in a beautifully flirty way. This was not her first photoshoot experience, but the first that was exclusively boudoir in nature. As a cosmetologist and aerialist as well, she was no stranger to performance, and curating looks that make someone feel their absolute best.
In getting to know Ariana better throughout her term, she brought this effortless beauty to the experience. Needing such little instruction when it came to posing, she had this energy of being a model even if she didn't identify as one. It's a strange thing, to identify as a model, but every shot was utter perfection. Every angle, in any light, doing whatever look was inspiring at the time, she brought it to life.
Throughout her term she did go on to do additional photoshoots as well. Joining the Angel's House of Design lingerie shoot as well as a boudoir party, and winning a giveaway that allowed her to harness her Renaissance Faire loving side.
We loving call her our mermaid, and she is a great friend as well.
Oh Christine. She was our first bookstore boudoir photoshoot at Medina Books & Coffee. We had the best time, exploring the space, and sharing our stories. She was so open and raw regarding the complexities of her experiences being divorced, a single mother, and reconnecting with herself and her body. It is a powerful thing, when a woman decides to take an active role in demanding more. For herself, for her life, and in how she moves in the world.
Christine brought a sense of warmth to the group. She was still learning to love her body, and didn't love every photo she saw of herself. But throughout the process, she expressed feeling more welcome to the concept of grace and understanding for the things that she didn't love. She presented with confidence in herself, albeit in different ways, and epitomized the mission of Speak To Me Photography.
While Christine has not done an additional photoshoot with us, YET, I cannot wait to see everything she does moving forward.
In conclusion...
For nearly a year, I have been able to see the incredible impact of women sharing their stories, their experiences, and the unique ways in which boudoir has empowered them. Not only empowered them, but provided the opportunity to inspire others to embrace themselves and their bodies in ways that have historically been looked down upon. There are so many people that continue to see boudoir as something to shy away from, to hide. As if feeling comfortable and confident in your skin enough to indulge in something like a photoshoot should be shameful.
It's ridiculous, but the reality of the world we live in. Nothing changes if nothing changes. My hopes is that the Ambassador Collective will continue to inspire unwavering confidence, empowerment, and unapologetic commitment to self-care and self-love. That is the true meaning of boudoir.
Who we are in the comfort of our bedrooms, at the end of the night, when we are vulnerable and letting go of the stressors of the day, is who we can show to the world. You are beautiful, you are worthy, and you are perfect the way you are.
