4 Tips for Overcoming Body Shame from Arkansas Boudoir Photographer
Overcoming body shame is a deep seeded issue for many women. If it’s something you struggle with, you’re not alone. But with some mental reframing, you can change the way you see and think about yourself.
Today I’m sharing Morgan’s story (my associate) and how boudoir photos helped her overcome body shame and her negative body image. But that’s not all. I’m also sharing ways you can ditch body shaming for yourself!
First, let me introduce Morgan.
Morgan’s Body Shame Story and How It Changed
I met Morgan two years ago through our military spouses, and everything just clicked. We became instant friends. Now she’s my right-hand woman in the studio, and I’m so thankful she’s part of the team at Ashlee Baerga Photography.
Over the last two years, I’ve done two boudoir photoshoots with Morgan, and her confidence has drastically changed. She’s opened up, let herself be vulnerable during her boudoir shoots, and it carried over into her daily life. It’s been awesome to watch her heal her body insecurities and body shaming
Today she wears crop tops and doesn’t give a fuck! The growth and work she’s put into herself are awesome to see, and she exudes confidence!
Morgan's Testimonial
“Growing up in a severely body-negative home, I’ve always thought the worst about myself. I’ve tried a few different things to improve my self-confidence, but nothing ever worked. What I saw in the mirror wasn’t what everyone else saw. We are our own worst critics on a good day. And on a bad day, we are even worse to ourselves.”
“While in the studio with Ashlee, she pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me see what others see. I AM beautiful! As Ashlee’s studio associate, I’ve had the joy of seeing women fall in love with themselves for the first time in their entire lives. This time, the tables were turned. I was the woman in front of the camera and ditching the body shame that I’ve carried around for most of my life.” - Morgan
4 Tips to Overcome Body Shame
Tip One: Change Your Inner Dialogue
You wouldn’t judge your best friend if she suddenly gained 20 pounds, would you? I didn’t think so. We’re often the biggest advocates for those closest to us - but not ourselves.
To tackle your inner dialogue of body shaming, pay attention to your thoughts. Our thoughts are real, but they’re not always true.
So pay attention when you have a negative thought about yourself and challenge yourself to flip the narrative. Re-frame the negative thought into a positive one. If you need help with this idea, pretend you’re talking to your best friend. What would you say to her at that moment?
Tip Two: Stop The Comparison Trap
It’s easy to get caught up in the comparison trap with social media. But don’t let what you see fool you. Everything we see is curated, and most of it has been photoshopped or airbrushed.
Can you imagine how boring the world would be if we all looked the same and had the same body size? Beauty is in diversity, and I’m an advocate for loving yourself exactly as you are right now. My IG feed will show you REAL women, just like you, embracing themselves and stepping into their power!
So the next time you feel a twinge of jealousy when you see gorgeous photos of another woman, just know that YOU are beautiful too. Remind yourself that your worth isn’t determined solely by your appearance.
Tip Three: Shift Your Focus on Mental Health and Well-Being
Instead of obsessing over your physical appearance, prioritize your mental health and well-being. Do things that make you feel good, such as exercising, walking, sitting in nature, and, yes - hanging out with your best friends.
Mental health is just as important as physical health (if not more!) So make sure you’re fueling your body with the good stuff. Add more time for hanging out with friends into your calendar, take yourself on a date, and do things to spark joy for you!
Tip Four: Schedule Boudoir Photos
When you’re ready to really kick the negative body shaming to the curb, schedule boudoir photos. It’s not every day you get to be pampered with professional hair and makeup and have a personalized photoshoot designed around making you feel confident. And when you see yourself through my lens, you’ll understand why Morgan said this about her boudoir session with me.
“While in the studio with Ashlee, she pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me see what others see. I AM beautiful! As Ashlee’s studio assistant, I’ve had the joy of seeing women fall in love with themselves for the first time in their entire lives. This time, the tables were turned. I was the woman in front of the camera and ditching the body shame that I’ve carried around for most of my life.” - Morgan
