KC arrived at my Calgary studio nervously hopeful.
She was slender, the result of hard work paying off. She looked younger than her years, which she was quietly proud of. She wasn’t sure whether to credit genetics or her self-care, but she would happily take it.
She still carried body insecurities—sadly, most of the familiar ones. Having children, whom she totally adored and lived for, had reshaped her breasts. Most of her concerns centred there, despite everything her sister told her.
Katy had been at her most persuasive. She loved KC and truly wanted her sister to see the beauty she saw.
Katy had already been here for her own boudoir session. She shared the roller coaster of emotions she had experienced and explained that more than 5,300 women showed she was right. Her session had felt therapeutic, giving her a breakout moment she would always cherish.
Finally, KC agreed—on one condition. Katy had to come along for support.
Later, KC admitted her sister had been right. The boudoir experience was amazing. She found her power.
Yet the story I want to tell doesn’t start here, at her session; it starts days later, at her image selection.
Actually, that’s not completely right either. It starts after her selection. I’ll explain.
The Photograph That Took Her Breath Away
I begin every image selection with a short, theatre-style presentation of selected photographs. It takes each client back into the highlights of her session and rekindles some of that energy before we begin making choices.
KC went from stunned to thrilled. Just as Katy had promised, the photographs were far beyond her expectations.
I had created 140 images across three custom-designed settings. KC couldn’t believe there were only 14 she didn’t care for.
That left 126 favourites.
Yes, 126.
Katy just laughed. The same thing had happened to her.
One image took KC’s breath away. She kept asking me to bring it back onto the screen. She was enthralled by the woman she saw. For that moment, the photograph pushed her familiar insecurities aside.
When a client is considering wall art, I project the image at the largest size available. We then gradually reduce it until the scale feels right for her and the room where it will eventually be enjoyed.
I went down one size.
“Too small,” KC said immediately. “It has to be large!”
Some women begin by thinking about their available wall space and choosing a size that fits. KC responded to the photograph first. At that scale, it breathed fully—and it would still fit on nearly any wall in her home.
Katy sat smiling knowingly at her sister. She had predicted that one image would beg to become wall art, although even she had not anticipated its size or emotional power.
She loved the thought that KC would see this woman every day, drink in her strength and gradually become more like her.
When the Self-Doubt Returned, My Story Starts Here.
Then, unexpectedly, KC paused.
She hesitated as self-doubt flooded back in.
Did she need so many photographs of herself? Was she worth that kind of investment? What was she thinking?
KC, it turned out, had rarely spent much on herself. This felt extravagant. Beyond extravagant for her.
Katy recognized what was happening immediately. She had warned KC before they arrived that this moment might come: she would second-guess herself and have to decide whether she was willing to indulge herself—because she was worth it.
Katy took her sister’s hands, looked directly into her eyes and said, “You’re second-guessing yourself. Ask yourself, what would Derrick say?”
KC laughed and slowly shook her head as the tension and doubt left her body.
“He just took delivery of his red Lamborghini. He wouldn’t blink. He’d say I deserve this and should have it. He’d tell me to buy them all if they make me feel this good!”
KC was breaking through a barrier she had not clearly realized was there.
Her sense of personal value expanded. Her posture changed. The biggest smile swept across her face.
“I’ll take them all, in that book! And that one—that precious one—I still want it that big!”
Then she giggled, completely out of character.
Or perhaps it was the beginning of a new character.
Not every woman can order all the photographs she desires. But sadly, self-doubt, second-guessing and questioning whether you are worthy of the investment are very common.
Over my decades of photographing women, I have watched this emotional conflict surface many times. A woman may love her portraits and finally recognize her beauty, yet still hesitate when asked to place lasting value on herself. The photographs change how she sees her body. Choosing them can change the value she places on the woman living within it.
KC still pages through her book. She says the photographs have transformed how she sees her body, herself and her worth.
Each time she opens it—or passes that powerful portrait on her wall—she is reminded that choosing herself can be wonderfully indulgent and deeply empowering.
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About Mark Laurie
Mark Laurie is a Calgary-based photographic artist and the founder of Inner Spirit Photography, established in 1980. His work explores beauty, strength and individuality through intimate boudoir and nude portraits of women. Over a 48-year career, he has photographed more than 5,300 women and earned recognition across Canada and internationally.