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It’s my birthday!
Every year on my birthday I do a self portrait series. Sometime I will share the images and other times it’s just for me. This year I decided to share my images because of a conversation I had with my sisters. We spoke about the way Black Womxn cannot have ownership over our bodies. I said people believe the fewer clothes you have on the less respect you should receive. If you are twerking in your videos you deserve to be degraded or called foul names.
My body is mine and twerking is an act of reclamation. If I am made in the image of the Creator then my body, our bodies are perfect. There is freedom and liberation in knowing this. Plus having that fuck it in your system when people have something to say. Enjoy this Golden Goddess self-portrait series.
If you are interested in having your own Golden Goddess Portrait Experience click here.
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The Gold Experience
Every month I try to do a creative experience that allows me to explore anything and everything. For July the theme was come as you are, and be adorned. I asked a few past clients if they would love to be apart of it. Of course they said yes! The premise was to come without make up and I would strategically place gold leaf on your body. The images would go with an audio answering one of three questions about your body.
Tracy is a past client that I am stuck with for life! She has an amazing spirit, that makes you want to give her a big hug immediately. Her cousin, who I also photographed, purchased her boudoir experience for her. The experience changed Tracy’s life in ways I could not imagine and I am blessed they both came into my life. When we do anything together we sound like middle school girls just giggling.
Here is what Tracy had to say about her first boudoir experience with me:
My experience and reasons for doing my first boudoir experience was to invite a new Tracy to emerge as someone who has been going through a lot of changes for the past 2 1/2 years I felt opening up myself to a new experience was needed and then meeting Olesha and the OHexperience provided me the opportunity to do those things as it opened me up as a woman and encouraged and motivated me to have self-love while allowing me to be free and to accept who I am, what I look like, where I’m going, and what my future holds.
My boudoir experiences have changed me in many ways it has afforded me again the opportunity to look at myself clear as a black woman, and try to love on myself. I am able to see my flaws and be OK in this skin. I have sinned, I have made mistakes I have cheated myself in many ways over the years and this experience has allowed me to no longer cheat myself and take the reins and do what’s best for Tracy. Self-acceptance and self-actualization are what I seek and the boudoir experiences are helping me to achieve that and more.
After viewing her images:
I am screaming as I’m viewing the edits!!! The one with my back and gold leaves has me looking down…my tattoo is that of a spider which is the vision I saw when my mom died! Olesha my eyes are so teary cause I see her and there’s so many thoughts. Self love, freedom, acceptance and knowing/feeling that she approves and is with me…I see me differently now suga…thank you
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Tracy’s Self-Discovery Experience
Tracy’s words spoke deeply to me: “I would do the experience over and over again, not just for the glam of it all, but more so for the life-changing experience of self-discovery.”
Why did you decide to do a boudoir experience at this time?
I decided to do a boudoir experience at this time because it is MY time for self-love, to self-motivate, and accept that I am not the person I was over 2 and half years ago when my life changed forever. In addition, my cousin met Olesha during a Galantine’s Day event and told me all about meeting you and the energy you brought to the event. It made we want to meet you to experience what you had to offer all women of color, shapes and sizes, and sexual preferences.
Why would you suggest every Black womxn do their own boudoir experience?
I suggest every Black womxn do their own boudoir experience just for the love of self. This encourages you to not be objectified by others, yet to become the object and affection of other’s desires! Black womxn are motioning their bodies in positions that come natural, we are exuding emotions that we don’t always bring forth in an environment that makes your feel comfortable and confident. Black womxn are allowed to be sensual and sexual all while laughing, living, and being supported by another beautiful Black womxn.
What was the best part of your boudoir experience?
The best part of my boudoir experience was the freedom to be me without being questioned and judged, to be silly and feeling special at the same time. Getting my face beat, putting on sexy clothes and not wanting it to end.
