Ash's battle to reclaim her power through Fantasy Photography
A fantasy photoshoot with Zest is a transformative experience that help women to change the way she feels about herself by changing the way she sees herself.
Here is Ash’s story and an insight to what she experienced during her photography experience, finding strength and empowerment through a difficult part of her life.
On January 5th, just one week after moving into my own first home, I was diagnosed with TNBC, Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
I became unable to work at all due to side effects from chemotherapy and having a lowered immune system, before the session my hair had already fallen out, and within the next few months I will be having a double mastectomy.
This photoshoot was important for me because it is the last time I will see myself before my body is surgically altered, and it was a fun moment where I got to look good and not feel like a cancer patient.
“When I look back at these pictures I want to remember what I overcame and who was there beside me as I fought.”
It was my good friend who put my name forward for this photoshoot. Tracy has been part of my life for nearly 7 years now and knows me well. after the events of this year i think she really wanted me to see myself how others see me, that’s this photoshoot would help to improve a bit of my self-confidence and have something beautiful to remember each day and inspire me to carry on.
Before the photoshoot I felt quite nervous, I have never had self-portraits taken before. I have always had very low self-esteem and poor feelings about my looks in general, and now was also unwell to top it off and not looking my best in my opinion.
It was quite exciting to have my makeup done and getting to basically play dress ups and feel like a kid again.
I had to have two different viewing sessions, the first session was quite confronting especially seeing the photos without the wig and I became overwhelmed by it all as it wasn't the ME I used to be.
The second viewing I came back with my partner who just loved every picture and wanted to buy everything, his reaction really helped me see that he saw me as beautiful no matter what, his reactions to the images helped to bring my guard down and helped me to see the pictures as they are and as he sees me, rather than how I saw myself.
“Through my experience with Zest Photography, I have gone from not wanting to have photos of myself at all, to now being able to see myself somewhat more positively and in a better light.”
We purchased a beautiful, framed wall piece that will be hung over the head of my bed.
I also choose the box set which has the more private photos in it is stored on the bedroom shelves nearby with other sentimental pieces like my favorite childhood toys and a photo book my mother put together for me just after my diagnosis.
While it is a hard time in my life, it has also been a time where I've learnt that it is okay to be vulnerable and ask for help.
It is good to get away from being "the sick person" and have some beautiful images to look back on for when you make it to the other side of your illness.
I would love to come back again and have another shoot when I am cancer free.
Thank you Ash!
If you are interested in booking a Zest Photography family, couple, modern glamour, boudoir or nude portrait photography experience, call 0862453150 , email us at info@zestphotography.com.au or click on the button below and complete an enquiry form.