Tell Us About You
I’m a 38-year-old mama of five (two younger children with my current husband). During 2020 my husband and I suffered multiple miscarriages that resulted in a ton of weight gain followed by a full-term pregnancy, emergency c-section, and health issues that caused a struggle to drop the weight. I am generally a very confident woman, but the last 2-3 years have been rough on my self-confidence. I needed to find a way to feel whole again, sexy, sensual. I wanted to connect with my husband in a way, too, where we weren’t someone’s parents. I figured a photo shoot would be empowering for both of us and add a spice of intimacy we’d not had in a long time.
Leading Up To Your Shoot
As we discussed the shoot, I felt one hundred percent comfortable reaching out to the team with any questions I had. We did a couples shoot so even when I felt like some of my questions were silly or weird, Ayla and the rest of the team never made it feel that way. They were always full of a ton of communication, information, and encouragement. I also appreciated how quickly they responded.
How Did We Do?
The whole experience was incredible! The great thing was that my husband actually felt relaxed and had fun, too, and the fact that the crew is so human makes it totally comfortable. I loved it! The only thing I can say I am hoping for is that there are more or different poses. It kind of felt like after all was said and done, the poses that were done were a sort of bare minimum rather than something we inspired in you guys. And that’s okay! I am in a bigger body right now and I know that creates limitations! By my next session I will be back down and I think it will allow more unique poses. Otherwise, unique or not…the experience was incredible and I don’t feel ashamed of my bigger body in any of those photos, which I was worried I would. I just felt beautiful and sexy.
Your Shoot!
After my hair and makeup was done, I looked into the mirror and genuinely didn’t realize I could look and feel that pretty anymore. Having gained so much weight I thought I would look terrible no matter what and that I would feel low key judged. Yet, the environment on the set is so welcoming and relaxed. It felt like I’d known them all for years and not once did I feel uncomfortable or like I shouldn’t be there. I felt like I still had a power of sensuality that I’d believed had gone missing. It was not only fun, but it built me up.
I was also worried about looking huge next to my thin, more fit husband. However, his excitement in joining me in photos and the fact he was completely at ease helped me relax. There was a lot of laughing and it was a different and thrilling experience for us to share. We still talk about it all the time and can’t wait to go again!
The Nitty Gritty!
My best advice? Get the lingerie consultation! I spent so much money trying to figure out what would look good on me and getting frustrated. The consultation was helpful because I figured out appropriate sizing and what made me feel the sexiest. Plus, it was a chance to meet staff and check out the location.
Also, follow the advice they send out in emails! There is a reason it is sent and it genuinely helps things run smoothly. This includes the pricing sheet. We went in knowing exactly what we planned to purchase and how much money we needed to have. It made our purchase so much easier.
We got the Black Label package. The 16×24 print is absolutely stunning! I got a little teary when I unwrapped it. And the 5×5 block of my husband now sits on my desk at work lol I love it so much! The photo book is incredible with thick, heavy pages and displays the photos vibrantly. But, even better, is getting the high resolution photos so you can relive the enjoyment and excitement of the shoot any time you want.
This company is literally top notch. From start to finish, it is the best experience that makes you fall in love with yourself and your other half (if doing a couples shoot). If you’re on the fence, take the leap! It’s completely worth it and Ayla Quellhorst makes the experience natural and enjoyable from beginning to end!
Review!
When I set out to do a couples shoot for our fifth wedding anniversary, I was nervous. After multiple miscarriages and then pregnancy, emergency csection, and health issues…I had spent a year feeling pretty down on myself. I had lost that confidence in myself and I couldn’t see the bigger girl I had become as sexy or beautiful despite what my husband said. Ayla and the rest of the team helped genuinely heal that part of me in so many ways. Through the care they took to make me comfortable. Tl the fact I couldn’t even recognize myself in a mirror lol But then to show me these amazing pictures where I could actually see my husband and me in a way that I wasn’t able to before. My size suddenly didn’t matter as much and I could still be a confident woman regardless. This is so much more than photography. It gave me back a sense of myself that started from the beginning of the process to the moment I unwrapped my photos. Thank you guys so much for being so incredible!
