Eat the damn cake!!!

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A frequently asked question we get is, “what do I need to do to get ready for my #SheerExperience?” So we put together a few of our favorite tips, and we hope this helps whether it’s a session with Sheer, or another boudoir photographer.

  1. Be Confident - Nerves are part of your experience, and are completely normal to have. But it’s time to love yourself more and finally be confident in who you are. We promise to work with you every step during your #SheerExperience. Our goal is for you to feel like a completely new woman after your session.

  2. Wear lose clothing to the studio - The last thing you want are any unwanted lines that your clothing may leave, or trying to take off a tight shirt after you’ve had hair and makeup done. We recommend you arrive in sweatpants, a loose shirt, and braless.

  3. Skip the tanning bed and spray tan - If you normally tan stick to your routine. If you don’t though, skip that temptation to start. Skin that’s not used to the tanning bed may appear blotchy after a visit or two due to uneven tanning. The last thing we want you to worry about is your skin.

  4. Bring lots of outfits choices - I mean, who doesn’t like to shop, I know I do. Bring at least one more outfit than your session allows. Bring at least that totally fits your style, and something outside of your comfort zone. After all, this is something that’s probably out of your comfort zone to begin with, so embrace it and have fun.

  5. Get your body ready - If you shave then shave, and f you wax then wax. The last thing you want to do is try something new and have it irritate your skin. Paint those finger and toenails, but avoid really bright colors. French tips and neutral solid color gel photographs best. Even clean nails are better than chippy nail polish

  6. Start stretching - A common theme I hear from clients the next day is “you were so right, I can’t believe my muscles are so sore”. As little as 5-10 minutes a day can make a huge difference, and your body will thank you for it.

  7. Eat smart and drink lots of water - Drinking lots of water and eating right will help give you a healthy glow and make you feel so much better. Be sure to eat breakfast the morning of your session. Eggs, toast, fruit, juices are all perfect choices. AVOID THOSE FASTFOOD DRIVE THROUGHS. With that being said, if you’re at a birthday party and there’s cake, EAT THE DAMN CAKE. It’s cake after all and who doesn’t love it.

Every mom deserves some ME time!

Miss R was the winner of our Mother's Day Momination!!! As a Mother's Day giveaway, Sheer Photography offered one LUCKY MOM a chance to win the full Sheer Experience. The Sheer Experience isn't just a one day kind of thing...about a month before your session we like to meet with you to talk about outfit ideas, look through Pinterest to see what type of images you are drawn to, answer questions and just talk about who you are and what you want to become during your shoot. We understand this isn't something you do everyday...it's okay to be nervous and ask questions. We are here to help you through the WHOLE process.

Finally, it's shoot day...nerves are high, excitement is bubbling, you enjoy being pampered by our hair and makeup team, we go through your outfits together and finalize a plan. You change into your first outfit and we get started!!! Hopefully you took some Advil before you came, cuz we are gonna make your back hurt. "Pop that booty out!!!" This is your time to get outta the house, feel sexy and not have a care in the world (except for being nervous as all hell).

A few weeks after your shoot, we invite you back to the studio for your Premier Ordering Appointment!! This is the moment you have been waiting for!!! So many women are more nervous to see their pictures than they were to take them. Most women can't believe the pictures are them. It's so great to see yourself the way everyone else sees you! 

Like most women, Miss R works full time and never takes any time to do things for herself. This was her chance to let go and be sexy! 

This is what she had to say about her Sheer Experience..."Having a boudoir session with Jen and Brian was one of the best experiences I've had! I have always loved boudoir photography but never thought I would do it.

Being a mother, wife, and working full time as a nurse I don't make enough time for myself. My Sheer session was the perfect opportunity for some "me" time! I was nervous but as soon as I had my consultation and we discussed what to expect, what to wear, photo ideas, and all of my questions were answered, I couldn't wait for my session!

The girls that did my hair and makeup were very sweet and did an excellent job, and during my session Jen and Brian made me feel completely comfortable and beautiful. They coached me on what to do, and I had so much fun the entire time! My photos were ready quickly and I LOVED every single image! 

Jen and Brian know what they're doing and do an amazing job at it! It's something I would absolutely love to do again, maybe even a couples session with my hubby! I highly recommend Sheer Photography!"

Hair by Bianca Heasley. Makeup by Jodi Ciminero. 

Hair by Bianca Heasley. Makeup by Jodi Ciminero. 

We loved having Miss R in the studio and showing her how beautiful she is!!! We hope to see you back for a couples session soon!!!  

Ready for some YOU time?!?! Fill out the contact form below or give us an call at 330.646.1554

#BodyLove 1.0

About 6 months ago, I was not feeling good about myself. I was heavier than I've ever been, I was stressed from trying to do it ALL, but I felt like I was failing at everything...failing as a wife, mother, friend, business owner...nothing seemed to be where I wanted it to be. And if you know me, then you know that I am a HUGE control freak. So, when nothing was going the way I wanted it to I put all the blame on myself and bottled it up. One thing I'm really good at is keeping all my emotions bottled inside until it explodes and Brian is always the one who has to deal with the "brunt of Jen". Sorry about that Mr. Dirksen ;) but he is always there to keep me together and put a smile on my face.

3 months of this and I had to do something. I contacted my friend, Tiffany, who sells AdvoCare. I needed a change for myself, for Brian, for Keira (our daughter). I wasn't happy with my body and I felt like changing that would help everything else come together. And guess what?!?! It did...a little! It is amazing how one little change can help your whole life. Brian and I participated in the 24 day challenge and started eating better. We both lost a little weight, have so much energy, continue to try eating healthier and I have gained this whole new outlook on life. Not only do I see the beauty in myself more and more each day, but I also see the beauty in others so much more. It is so sad that we feel ashamed of our bodies...we need to embrace our bodies and compliment other women. Working with women has made me realize that no matter how beautiful everyone else thinks someone is, all they see when they look into the mirror are their own flaws. When did we start focusing so much on the bad rather than all the good in ourselves? When did it become wrong to say "I love my thighs", "I am proud that my stomach has stretched and shrank after having a baby", "I love my ass!"? I know if I tell someone else what I like about my body I start to feel vain and conceited. Brian takes FREAKING GORGEOUS pictures of me, but do I feel sexy everyday...no way! I still struggle with my body just like a lot of women do. But, I do feel pretty damn good though when I look at my boudoir pictures and see how fucking hot and sexy I can be.

Anyways, the point of hosting #BodyLove was to show women that no matter their age, shape or size, they should embrace their bodies and love where they are at this moment in their life. This wasn't about being sexy, it was a day about loving yourself and the journey your body has been through. 

These 9 women laughed with us, had fun with us, let their guard down for us and shared their stories with us. Thank you to all of these gorgeous ladies for taking part in #BodyLove!

These 9 women laughed with us, had fun with us, let their guard down for us and shared their stories with us. Thank you to all of these gorgeous ladies for taking part in #BodyLove!

A few of the ladies wanted to share their stories with you...

Miss T ~ I had such a good time and it definitely made me realize some things about myself. "Sexy" is definitely different for everyone. I am not comfortable with the "normal" idea of sexy. And that's fine. What works for me is confident, silly, tough. What I find most sexy about me is my tattoos. I have always looked at my tattoos as a way to cope with my body issues and until I get the tone/strong/ft body I'm working for, I'm gonna rock my tattooed mommy body!!! I'm coming to accept that even though I'm not happy with how it looks it also in a way shows strength because I made two beautiful boys in this body!

Miss C ~ I'm ashamed of my body, my stomach looks like a road map. Between surgeries and being pregnant it's been through hell. I never had one stretch mark till I got pregnant, not one!!! My arms and legs are gross and I may be the only fat woman in this world with small boobs!! In the last few months I've learned that I shouldn't care what others think. I'm not the normal woman, but I'm my own kind of beautiful. I get up everyday and now look at the mirror and try to see what others may see. I'm proud of myself for doing the BodyLove project!! I may have not have bared it all, but I bared more than I ever thought I could!!!

Miss M ~ I'm a stay at home mom and wife. My husband and I have 4 beautiful children together. 3 here on earth and our first born in heaven. Our angel would have been 4 this past May. Our second turned 3 in March and our twins turned a year in January. Thank you for letting me be involved in #bodylove with you guys. I really enjoyed myself and I can't want to come back again.

Miss A ~ I have had body image issues since I can remember. I lost a ton of weight prior to getting married and was finally happy in my own skin and felt great. Following my wedding, I got pregnant and I loved every minute of being pregnant. I wasn't worried about the weight gain because I knew I was creating another human and the weight would melt off as I breast fed my son.  Well, I breast fed my son for 14 months and didn't lose a pound! I was once again miserable with the way my body looked. Until one day, I was doing my hair at my bathroom mirror in my bra and panties. I looked up and for the first time in a long time actually saw myself in the mirror! After looking for a while and criticizing my body in my head I made myself STOP!! Since that day I have been working hard to find things I love about my body. I wanted to participate in the #BodyLove project because I knew it would help me in my journey to love my body.  I did it in hopes that by loving myself, I can teach my children to love themselves! Thank you Brian+Jen for all that you do to help build woman up! 

Miss J ~ #BodyLove is accepting the skin you’re in. It's easy to say and hard to actually accept. To me, my body has been through war and back. The everlasting war in every woman’s brain from the time of puberty. Looking back at all the pictures from High School I beg my body to go back to that size, yet when I was in High School that body wasn’t good enough. BodyLove makes me appreciate the body I have RIGHT this moment. This body has given birth two times, been through a surgery or two, and ate a crap load of chocolate and ice cream when I want it. As I grow I find myself actually appreciating what my body can do. I take the little steps instead of wishing for large leaps in making my body better. Sure, it might be chubby and I might have a few scars across my stomach but I am beautiful. How do I know that? My husband tells me every single day. Days like today when I get to appreciate my body for what it is and how it’s made help me get through the days where the magazines tell me I am not small enough. I am finally comfortable in the skin I am in.

Be on the look out for #BodyLove 2.0 Coming this Fall!!!

Ready to see yourself how everyone else sees you?!?!