Changing the Modeling Industry | Boudoir : Corrine

This vibrant, gorgeous woman and I connected on Instagram before this the pandemic began. When she arrived for hair and makeup in Tel Aviv, we were still getting used to masks and social distancing and figuring out what the new normal meant for us.

The session came at a perfect time for her.

She was making some big changes in her personal life and wanted to do a boudoir session as a pick me up and also to truly embrace her body, which is something she’s been working on for years.

Corrine has been modeling for several years and has become passionate about using her career to help inspire other women to love themselves. She said to me during her session, “When I decided to leave the modeling agency that was doing absolutely nothing for me due to my short height and curves, I never imagined I would have the guts to do a shoot like this and feel so comfortable…”

“Over the last two years people fed me stories about taking my voice, my face, and my story and making me sensational. Never did I ever imagine that once I left big dreams behind, that I’d be comfortable enough to do shoots like this. It’s not about wearing a little or wearing a lot. It’s about being true to who I am and doing exactly what no one else can promise me: to love and accept myself.”

I love what Corrine says here, “No one can give you self-worth and the pure confidence you gain when you really love who you are. When you birth a genuine representation from within, it’s your undeniable truth.”

“I’m 5’2,” got lots of brown booty, 37 beauty marks, and a field of dimples on ma thighs. And I am me.”

I am so grateful for this morning that Corrine and I shared together. To see a woman at the beginning of her journey, who is all about embracing what she’s got and wanting that for others, is just inspiring.

Keep being you, girl. xo

Hair and makeup by Rhonda Lev

Finally Free | Tel Aviv Boudoir : Nina

I’m back to blogging, and I’m excited about it! With everything that goes on behind the scenes of boudoir photography, it can be easy to let my blog go a little bit. Yet there is always something that reminds me of why I started boudoir in the first place which leads me to think about my blog. This is where we tell stories. Not only are photographs worth a thousand words, but our bodies tell our unique journey; from our wrinkles and cellulite to our baby blue eyes and sun-kissed freckles to our scars and burns. I love that this blog gives women a platform to share their stories. It might be that the words speak to you because you have gone through something similar. Or it could be that one of the photographs hits you emotionally and reminds you of something beautiful within yourself. Whatever it may be, I’m grateful for this space.

This boudoir session was really special. I walked into the Tel Aviv loft, shortly after my maternity leave ended, and a week after the entire country was flooded, to Nina. A strong and gorgeous force of nature, who was willing to push herself out of her comfort zone. She did this session to feel sensual and feminine and to celebrate her body. As she told me her concerns about how the photos would turn out, I nodded and understood, but I smiled to myself because I couldn’t wait to show her how beautiful she truly is.

Over makeup and hair and delicious snacks, Nina shared part of her journey with Rhonda and I…

“I grew up with parents that were always commenting on what I ate and what they ate and how we all looked. I always had a thin sister who was the ideal example of what women should look like and I always felt insecure next to her. This was exacerbated by my parents feedback. Now I finally feel beautiful and even though my body might never look like the body of a supermodel it is perfect and healthy, and I feel good in it. I wanted to celebrate that feeling that I’m so glad I finally feel it.”

“Through this boudoir session, I learned to trust the process and go with the flow. We were originally supposed to do the shoot a week earlier. But due to thunderstorms, it had to be postponed. I was upset because I had gotten ready for everything for this specific date. However, it was worthwhile to wait because we had a great day and great weather and everybody involved was calm and excited. Although I was feeling good about my body in general, these pictures taught me to love it more and just love myself for doing something really exciting and therapeutic.”

“I think this is a therapeutic experience. As somebody in the mental health field, self-care is extremely important. So why not pamper yourself in a way that boosts your confidence and makes you feel like a queen? All women deserve to feel sexy. And if they don’t, I certainly encourage them to explore ways that make them feel sexy and what better way than an empowering photoshoot? I believe that sexiness radiates from the inside, and as soon as you start posing for these photos you gain a sense of confidence that you never thought you had.”

“When I got my pictures for the first time, I was so nervous to look at them. What if they were all bad? Since Rebecca works with a non-digital camera, I couldn’t see any of the shots mid-shoot.”

“I was so thrilled with the results. Of course, I didn’t love every picture, but I knew that was due to some insecurities I still have. Rebecca is definitely an expert in every way and the pictures reflected that. I fell in love with so many of them and was so excited to show people. Even though I don’t have a partner, I still wanted to share them with my friends who also loved them and were so impressed by my ability to decide to do this.”

“I finally feel like I’m at a time in my life where I am really confident with who I am both inside and out, and I wanted to celebrate that. Thank you, Rebecca, for this experience! I want to do it again!”

Makeup and Hair by Rhonda Lev

A New Chapter in Life after Breast Cancer | Boudoir : Chaya

There are stories all around the world about women surviving breast cancer. While survival may not be rare, what is so incredibly unique about these experiences is the emotional journey that having a life-threatening illness tends to take you through. Chaya’s story intrigued me because, to me, it was clear that she took the opportunity to redefine herself as a woman and reawaken her sexuality. When the news came that she was cancer-free, she left her home in America and moved across the world to our little, beautiful state of Israel. Her shining confidence, her amazing dance classes, and her supportive, loving nature has illuminated the lives of so many.

“I want my boudoir photos to tell women that I survived, and you will too. I’m 46. I’m divorced. I’m out here living my best life. Whatever you need to survive, you will. Life is not over because you had a mishap.

I’m standing in my power today because I’m embracing who I am.”

“When I was healing from breast cancer, I didn’t have many things to look at. I saw a lot of really train-wrecked photos and sad faces. Hopefully someone will see these and say, OK she has scars, but she still smiles.”

“My boudoir experience was so amazing. I walked away feeling powerful. I have to say that Rebecca is really a queen. She speaks to you and your soul when she is taking your photos. This experience has added meaning to my womanhood. I learn something new about myself each day because I am in this stage of growth, but having a boudoir session really helped me embrace all of my flaws.”

Makeup by Tiferet Lehrman

Embracing Vulnerability through Boudoir | New York Boudoir : Ekka

For many years I struggled with my weight, but I still always loved my body. About 10 years ago, I had weight loss surgery, and I realized that while I didn't hate my old body, I loved my new one. Then, 5 months before my wedding in August of 2018, my weight loss surgery began to fail me, and I needed an immediate revision. Very quickly I saw my body returning to the way it once was, months before needing to fit into a wedding dress.

I was devastated.

With help and support of those around me I was able to have it fixed, and my weight went back down, but my body was still different. That was the moment that I realized I wanted to capture how I felt.

Through doing a boudoir session, I also wanted to give my biggest supporter, my husband, a token, a gift- beautiful pictures of the body he loves and the person he loves most. He loves every flaw and every part of me and has helped me love and embrace those parts of me too. What makes him happy makes me happy. We love my little tummy pouch that I will never loose, my stretch marks on my wide hips and thighs, my multiple laparoscopic scars on my tummy and my mushy arms.

As my session approached I hoped for a wonderful space where I could learn about myself and my confidence, and a take away of a really beautiful time in my life, both physically and spiritually…

My experience was beyond any expectation. As much as I told myself and others I wasn't nervous, I think I was on the inside. But at the same time I was so ready for this experience. I got to know Rebecca Sigala through a wonderful and close friend of mine whose endorsement of the experience and, moreover of Rebecca, put me at ease and even made me eager to have this experience.

I loved chatting with Rebecca and Marcus Santiago, the makeup artist and hair stylist, leading up to the shoot. It broke the ice and made us all feel like friends. By the end of that one hour we were all following each other on social media and looking forward to the boudoir session.

I felt confident and vulnerable at the same time. My confidence came out of knowing my body and not being ashamed to share my flaws with the camera and the woman behind it. My vulnerability came from not knowing how to act in front of the camera. Rebecca helped me overcome that vulnerability and guided me through the process to help create with her the best looking pictures of me.

Overall, I couldn't stop speaking about the experience with my close friends and family. Even telling people I did this no longer made me feel bashful. I was so excited waiting for my photos!

When Rebecca sent me the final gallery of images, I viewed them together with my husband, and he was blown away. I knew he would be. He loved the intimacy of the shots, the style of the photography, the color and the black and white, and he loved the little personal touches I added by making sure we featured parts of my body that I know he loves, and I love too. I was also happy to have been able to have the creative freedom to wear special items I knew he would love and would make this session really special.

I ended sharing a bunch of pictures with my closest friends. They loved them too! I was also super proud and honored each time Rebecca shared a picture from my session on social media!

I took from this experience a greater sense of confidence. I not only accept having to be in a vulnerable state, but I embrace it. It no longer makes me feel vulnerable. I guess my husband has also helped me with this. With him I have always felt like my best self; free, open, and confident. I never felt like I ever had to be ashamed or hide any part of me. Until my session with Rebecca, I didn’t feel that same way around others.

This session made me realize that it isn't about the others, it’s about me. I now have that confidence and comfort-ability to be really open and free.