Gretchen's Story - From Pain to Empowered
Gretchen has come from so much pain and now found her power. Her story is raw, vulnerable and real. You will read about her struggles and how this led her to rediscover herself, love herself and express all of this through a boudoir photography experience.
WE ALL HAVE A STORY. HERE IS MINE…
As a child I was always teased about my weight (even before it was a problem), my clothes, my lack of sporting ability, my hair, being over protected by my family- you name it, the kids teased me about it.
This all impacted my self concept, and being an emotional person, I self medicated by over eating and by my early teens I was overweight.
I was also working my butt off at school as that was something I could do well and achieve at and my family had extremely high expectations in that area which unfortunately added to my eating problems.
If I didn’t get A grades - I’d drown my sorrows in Nutella, cake, ice cream and bread.
Everyone complained about my weight. My parents would come and stop me eating in front of others making me extremely embarrassed.
After some significant body shaming events in early high school I developed anorexia. At my current adult height of 165cm, I weighed 40kg. Now my parents were on my back again. This time to start eating! I developed depression and am still living with this today.
I recovered from my anorexia by 18 years old but only maintained a healthy weight for a few years before moving on to a repeating cycle of dieting with varied levels of success and then rebound over eating.
I had 2 failed marriages, the second involving abuse. None of which was any good for my self worth. Despite having completed a PhD and being offered jobs at Harvard university and MIT, and knowing logically that this meant I was successful, it didn’t sink in.
In my eyes I was still fat, socially ignored and a failure with my marriage.
The only thing I knew I was doing well at was raising my two ADHD and autistic boys. The true loves of my life! Funny enough- if anyone criticized me on how well
I did that job I never let it affect me. I know I did the best by them I possibly could.
Then I had a gastric sleeve. I went from 98kg to 69kg. Great success. I met my current husband who is the love of my life and things started to change dramatically.
My story and my past inspired me to do a glamour photography shoot now…
WHY was a boudoir PHOTOSHOOT important to me?
These photos are my reminder to myself that I can be beautiful. That I am worthwhile and don’t need to hide. I have never felt better about myself in all areas of my life.
Before my boudoir photoshoot, I was very excited for the opportunity to have photos with Zest. It is not something I would have had the confidence to do at a younger age.
I have always had body image problems, right from pre teen years but I have finally reached a time in my life where I have grown into greater self acceptance. This has involved acceptance of not only my shape but my own self worth in all facets of my life.
This photo shoot was an opportunity for me to remind myself of the effort I have put into myself over my life - especially in more recent years.
During my photo session, I wasn’t really self conscious about my body funnily enough. I do still hate the extra skin I have from excess weight loss so I pointed out the problem stems and the lovely team members at Zest helped me work round them during the shoot.
By the end of the shoot I was in the zone! I felt 100% supported and not at all like I was an imposter. I even got all carried away and a little flirty and agreed to do some nude shots which I hadn’t intended to at all!
Seeing the final photos, I was in dis-belief that there were so many that took my breath away! If I do say so myself! The skill of the photographer in her taking of the photos, but even more so with her ability to gain my trust and improve my confidence was astounding.
These photos remind me of my self worth and that I am beautiful inside and out. When I’m feeling less than beautiful I go and look at them. Also when I am feeling down, especially of the ones with my beautiful puddy cat, Paris! He makes me smile.
The photos remind me that I am important. This was something I did for myself when I tend to spend my life looking after others.
Thinking of doing a shoot… Oh my gosh, just do it! The photos always come out so much better than you think they will. I look so much better in the photos than I do in real life!
- Gretchen
“Seeing the final photos, I was in dis-belief that there were so many that took my breath away!”
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.