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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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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.
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6 Tips For Images in a Kiddie Pool
I don’t have any hobbies. I swear I am working on it! In order to not feel resentment when I pick up my camera I made a vow in April to do creative photography experiences every month. I still need to work on April’s images so, this is out of order.
In the past I would do creative experiences to try out new poses and new wardrobe looks. Or to have marketing videos and images because not all clients are comfortable with their faces being on social media. This new monthly series is about the following things for me:
Getting out of my own way.
Pushing myself t o be creative with posing and outfits .
Having fun
Connecting with muses that bring joy into my life!
Collaboration with other photographers! I collaborated with another Black boudoir photographer in April.
With this shoot I learned a few things as well. What I like to call the do’s and don’s of shooting in a kiddie pool.
In the past I would do creative experiences to try out new poses and new wardrobe looks. Or to have marketing videos and images because not all clients are comfortable with their faces being on social media. This new monthly series is about the following things for me:
- Getting out of my own way.
- Pushing myself to be creative with posing and outfits .
- Having fun
- Connecting with muses that bring joy into my life!
- Collaboration with other photographers is a must. In April I do a collaborative boudoir experience with another Black boudoir photographer.
6 Tips On Photographing in a Kiddie Pool
Get a shop vac to empty the water out of the pool after use. That pool was heavy as hell with a few inches of water.
Have a heater or use the heat of the sun so your muse is not freezing.
Make sure your muse limits the products in their hair because it will make the water cloudy.
Have a box or chair for your muse to rest their feet on if they are tall.
Have more than one towel available because there will be water everywhere.
Try backdrops, I used a $1.25 table cloth from the used to be Dollar Store in the bottom of the pool.
I think the images came out pretty good. Next month I plan to do a series with some of the Black womxn I photographed this year. I am still working on the concept, but I know gold leaf will be involved.
You May Also Like
Charmina’s Boudoir Experience
Part 3: Boudoir Travels
Jacquay’s Boudoir Experience
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Travel Boudoir: Jamaica
I went to Jamaica to host a workshop for Black women and self-love. While there I had the opportunity to capture some beautiful boudoir images of Beautiful Black women with the luxe tulle robe. Let me tell you this robe has a mind of it’s own! Trying to stuff it in my suitcase was not fun at all. I tried rolling it into a ball. That was not the best move at all.
I finally decided to just stuff it in the top portion of my suitcase where you usally put the toiletries. I folded it as best I could and layed it flat then zippened it. It worked! So glad I decided to have it there because the images would not have been the same without it.
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Jamaica Retreat
WE WENT RAFTING! I went to Jamaica and ain’t get my groove back!
I was invited to Jamaica by Tinashe Musiyiwa of TinTrips to host a self-love workshop based on my Reinvention Workbook Journal. This was truly a first for me because all my workshops have been virtual since the pandemic started. To see my photo dumps reels click on the links:
I went to Jamaica and did so many things I have never done before! I went horseback riding and my thighs were not ready. We did this on land and in the ocean. The ocean ride was an experience because I was not on a saddle and my horse was done with everybody! The guide tried to get him to go right and he said naw fam I am going back to the beach. It was exhilarating because the horse is such a majestic animal and then you see all that floating shit.
I remember my barber once told me he did something similar on vacation. He said if you ever do it DO NOT BE THE LAST HORSE! On the walking trail, I was the last horse and there was manure everywhere! I made sure not to be last in the water because shit floats. Made sure you stick that little piece of advice in your back pocket for later. You’re welcome.
Yes I have on water shoes and yes I was scared! 
After the horses, we went on the 4 wheelers, something else I had not had the pleasure of doing before. Another word of advice, people who drive like assholes in their cars do the same on the 4 wheelers. The person behind me kept bumping me. She said, “This is how I drive at home. I stay on people bumpers!” I am a cautious and respectful driver so I kept a good distance. I did turn around and give her the evil eye. She just laughed. (insert eye roll)
I really love how my breast look here. You see the bumper chaser behind me! 
THIS IS THE PERPETRATOR! That is how they drive in St.Loius I guess lol The third part of our excursion was the zip line. It truly felt like the harness was assaulting my pelvis and vulva. I was so glad I didn’t end up wearing denim shorts. I would have had the worst wedgie in my life! Climbing the platform was scary. The platform was shaking and we had to walk single file up the steps.
Once I made it to the top the view was so beautiful. I saw the ocean, the trees, the white lady that was taking pictures and videos of us without permission. I watched about 8 people do it before it was my turn. I still was not ready! The instructor told me I had to sit, I refused. Why I have no idea, my brain went into protect mode maybe.
I did make it across and you girl did not scream! Not sure why this is a badge of honor for me, but I’m a take it. When I got to the 2nd to last zip line my voice got super high, probably from the adrenaline rush, and the guide imitated me. That was not my best moment. Other than almost losing my legs on the last one I had a good time!
To round out the entire day we got on a party boat. Now I have been to one of these in DR and it was lit! So I sorta knew what to expect. What I did not expect was for Mother Nature to play us and drop that temperature and the sun go behind the clouds.
We were supposed to go snorkeling and if you know anything about me, I am always cold. So, I declined, even though I really wanted to go. Peer pressure is a beast and the women I was with egged me on. So glad I did it, cold and all. I got to hold a sea urchin and sea slug and to see a small school of fish. It was worth it and the sun came back out when we got on the boat.
Now, this is when the party started. As I said before I have been on a party boat, and you had to walk to the bar to get drinks. On this boat, they brought the pitcher to us. Not only the pitcher but also shots. It was such a nice experience to sip on a drink and watch the waves.
They told him it was birthday and he was singing to me This is something I want every Black womxn to experience a few times in their life. I am currently working on building retreats for 2023 and beyond that take us all across the world. If are interested in being a part of this experience click here.
