When Heather was the first to register for our Vintage Makeover and Photoshoot I was a little surprised. Not knowing Heather long but recently having the lovely opportunity to get to know her and John and the boys through our Swing Dancing Community, Swing On In, better, I knew of her shyness, her lack of confidence and her hesitation to step outside of her controlled comfort zone! But there she was, hands up, yes I’m In Miss Chrissy! I was super proud of her but I knew we had weeks until the day, the preparation, the planning, the thought of Boudoir was scary and exciting for Heather.. Still, at anytime she could have been gripped by her anxiety and backed out! BUT, she didn’t!
“All Hail Queen of stepping forward into the unknown and trusting us Heather!!” (Yep, thats a long title!).
Heather shoot was in two parts.. One for her and her Hubby Johnny to show their love and recreate a Vintage Kitsch Picnic Postcard! Nailed it! And there other was her Vintage Boudoir. See below:
I asked Heather to put in her own words a little bit about her journey. Here is her story:
Where to start? This last few years I had been going through quite a change in life and was, as cliché as it sounds, rediscovering what it was to be me.
I live with GAD and depression and finding my health both physically and mentally since we moved here. I went from struggling to walk the kids up the road to the park, to finishing walking a full marathon this year.
I set smaller goals and it gives me focus both mentally and physically to achieve them. Like I had always wanted to learn to dance, it took me a good couple of years to finally walk through the door, despite wanting it for so long, only to find it become a truly special place for us and a big part of our family’s lives now with close friendships formed and valued.
You see my anxiety disorder has seen many a thing procrastinated on and even stopped in life. If you look hard enough for reasons to not do something, you’ll always find them.
It is also what brought Chrissy into my life and I’ve watched from afar her create these magical photo shoots, I am in awe of Chrissy truthfully, just being around her, in her element is uplifting in itself.
I thought for a while now ‘one day, I would love to do a shoot with her!’ There’s that ‘one day’ again, a luxury that we seem to no longer have is to plan for ‘one day’ much these days. So I was bouncing the idea around for a while before just saying, yes! But even after committing I found that little voice of doubt and anxiety buzzing about in the back of my mind, could I do this? Am I worth all the trouble? Do girls like me just go do these things? Actually yes, all people should do this.
Everyone is worth the feeling opening up a photo and being positively blown away at what you see. I was brought to tears, seeing our family photos and how beautifully they were captured. I adore them and I can not thank you both enough for them. Then I saw my individual photos. I was lost for words.
To trust and be open with all your vulnerabilities, to be seen and to be made to feel so comfortable and in such talented and care filled hands, the outcome shows all that.
You made me feel beautiful, soft yet powerful. You both helped me see what I often can’t. Again, I thank you.
Plus, everyone should walk around in a showgirl style feather headpiece at least once in their lives.
Heathers Before and After Boudoir Shoot…
MUAH: Lindy Charm School
PC: Amanda Hamilton Peppermint Photography
“That which God said to the rose, and caused it to laugh in full-blown beauty, He said to my heart, and made it a hundred times more beautiful.”
Rumi..
