I know I say this ALLLL THE TIME… but I really mean it with everything that I am, I LOVE my Vixens. They are all so completely wonderful and each one of them inspires me daily. I constantly have clients telling me how much I have changed their life because of their boudoir shoot, but what most of them don’t realize, is they all change my life too. I adore each one… their beautiful souls inspire me every day that I wake up. I absolutely love that God has given me this gift to be able to change women’s lives daily. It means more to me than anyone will ever know.

M is just another one of my beautiful clients that I love to pieces. She has been amazing from day one. I met her many years ago through work but it wasn’t until recently that we reconnected through The Boudoir Vixen. She has been so kind every step of the way, and I honestly do not feel worthy!! She has made me feel like a million bucks more than just once. I love people who have kind hearts, M is definitely one of those people. She exudes beauty from the inside out.

She came in recently for her boudoir shoot and we had an amazing time together creating a memory for her and her husband that I know they will cherish forever. I wanted to not only share a few of her photos, but also a little story she sent me about something she faced recently.  I hope it will inspire you as it has inspired me.

M, ah.. words could never express to you how grateful I am for everything you have ever said and done for me. I really appreciate it and will never ever forget your kind and beautiful heart. You inspire ME. : ) XO

“Dear Courtney, It has taken me a while to write to you about my experience at the Boudoir Vixen because there are so many things to say and it’s hard to actually find the words to convey how much fun I had. It’s actually even harder when trying to find the words to explain how much you have inspired me. I also want to thank you for taking the time to research the information on the “Protect the Skin You’re In” campaign. I love the way that picture came out, and I know it will serve as a constant reminder to protect my skin from the sun, which is something I never used to do. I briefly mentioned “my story” to you the day of my shoot, but I am not sure if I explained the entire story to you.

The first time I went to the Boudoir Vixen was on June 13, 2011. This was long before I booked a boudoir shoot with you, but I will never forget that day because of the call I received when I left your studio. The reason I went to your studio that day was because an old friend of mine had booked a boudoir shoot with you that day. I was bringing her something that she was planning to use as a prop in a few of her photos, and although I could have met her before the appointment time, I secretly wanted to check out your studio so I made arrangements to bring it to her there. I was at the studio for an hour as she was getting her hair and makeup done and that’s when I knew I would definitely be booking an appointment. Everyone was so kind, and the studio was filled with so much positive energy—something I love to be around so I had thought out my plans to eventually return—but the next time as a client. As I left your studio I was in such a good mood, but then I got a call from a nurse at my dermatologist’s office, which kind of put a damper of things. The nurse was calling to tell me the results of my biopsy from the mole the doctor removed the week before (I say mole because that is what the doctors call it, but it was more of a freckle). The nurse’s voice was shaking when she told me—maybe she was new to the job or something— but I could barely understand what she was saying. I somehow came to understand that I needed to come in to have something removed, but not really knowing what needed to be removed was what scared me. I guess calling back to find out exactly what was going on also scared me, so I just waited to find out when I went in for my appointment. Well, as it turned out, my biopsy had revealed a “significant number of abnormal cells in the epidermis that were lining up by normal tissue” (whatever that means is probably what you are thinking). It was essentially stage 0 skin cancer, but that was actually great news. It was caught so early that I am only left with a small scar on my arm. The survival rate for skin cancer caught early is about 99%, so the sooner you get checked out, the better. I am very fortunate to have noticed that my freckle was getting darker, and I wanted a photo to remind me to protect my skin from the sun even though I hate being pale.

Courtney, you really are a creative genius. I can’t believe how you were able to take my few thoughts for the picture and actually turn those thoughts into something so meaningful to me. I know a lot of times people are always asking you on your Facebook page what kind of lens you use, and now whenever I see that question, I always laugh a little because I know from experience it’s so much more than the type of lens you use: it’s you…the person who is looking through the lens. Everyone could have the same lens as you, but their pictures would still not look the same because your heart is what makes your photos so beautiful. The difference between you and other photographers is that you are inspired and you inspire others. I could end this by saying how beautiful you made me feel that day, but at this point it’s a given. Of course I felt beautiful, but you did so much more than that…. more than I could ever truly explain. Well, I will end by saying that I hope to be in your studio again one day. In the meantime, stay inspired : ) – M”

There is a campaign called “Protect the Skin You’re In”. M wanted a photo to sort of replicate this image for herself as a reminder to always protect her skin. I love it.