Client Feature Friday: A Bucket List Item That Changed Her Life

Jezebel VonZephyr works with all kinds of women, from the suburbs of Seattle to all over the Pacific Northwest and beyond. We love connecting with each client, hearing her stories and capturing her unique spirit. We believe that every session is special in its own way, and we want to share that magic with the world. Every Friday we feature one of our clients and share a little about her. 

Today we feature a JVZ Brand Ambassador who hails from Everett, Washington. She’s done a few Jezebel sessions and loves sharing her story. She originally came to Jezebel VonZephyr to check something off of her bucket list but she found so much more! Let’s hear more from this lovely lady! 

Where are you from?  I currently live in Everett, Washington.

What is your theme song?  Music is the language of my soul…depending on what I am doing and how I am feeling- my music reflects that. There are songs that motivate me, that remind me how beautiful life is, that remind me to remember my true worth and potential, and that lift me up. Which means my theme song has altered or can change depending on where I am in my life. I have multiple playlists for various moods. Here are some of the songs on my empowerment playlist. 

• Let it Be – The Beatles
• Imagine – John Lennon 
• Heroes – David Bowie
• I am Woman – Helen Reddy
• Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield 
• So What? – Pink
• Perfect – Pink
• It’s My Life – Bon Jovi
• This Girl is On Fire – Alicia Keys
• Fight Song – Rachel Platten
• Stronger – Kelly Clarkson

What are three words you’d use to describe yourself?  I am passionate –  which can often be seen in my conversations with others. The things I am passionate and believe in cause me to get fiery – those who don’t know me can take it wrong.  I am ambitious and driven. I constantly set goals for myself and my business so I have something to strive toward. I am not comfortable with settling, and I’m always looking for an opportunity to do better.              

Is this your first Jezebel shoot? If not, how many have you had? This will be my fourth or fifth Jezebel shoot. My first shoot was at the Bothell studio, my second was at the Country House location, my third was a mini session at a retreat and my fourth was a Soul2Soul session (which I highly recommend to every woman) at the Bothell studio. This will be my first session at the Snohomish studio! I am really excited for it!!

Why did you decide to book a session with JVZ? I was diagnosed with uterine cancer and  created a “bucket list”. To  get that list accomplished I started researching and looking for local boudoir photographers online…I happened upon Jezebel VonZephyr.

One of the reasons I chose JVZ was that it was one of the few studios that had a female photographer, which made me feel a little more at ease since I had never done this type of shoot before. 

I booked subsequent sessions to embrace the evolving person I am; to celebrate my birthday and now as a Brand Ambassador.

How did you feel before your shoot? Before my first shoot I was petrified!  I couldn’t believe that I thought that having a boudoir session was something I could or even should be doing. I questioned and doubted myself, my abilities to pose and had seriously contemplated canceling my session right up to the time I entered the studio door. I am pretty sure those were the first words out of my mouth too. 

Every single day, I am truly grateful that I didn’t allow fear to hold me back from that first session. I have evolved, grown and fought  to make it through. It has been a long journey and every time I set foot into JVZ, I am reminded that I am WORTH it. 

How was your session? What was your favorite part? My intention with my first session was to check an item off my bucket list: to leave a glimpse of my body before cancer treatments completely changed how I looked, to celebrate how far I had already come, and possibly leave a few lovely images behind.          

My session became more than that. It (and every session that has followed) allowed me to see myself in a different light. Like most women, as a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, and businesswoman I often find myself feeling stuck in my roles of being everything to everyone. JVZ showed and allowed me to be my most authentic self – to catch a glimpse of who I am. The woman I often fail to see in my own mirror.

My favorite part? Well, it’s not every day you get to have your hair and make-up done and dress up for the camera. I really leave feeling empowered, beautiful and  comfortable in my own skin. The JVZ Team has always offered words of encouragement and plenty of laughs.

What was your favorite look from your session? Why? Each session has offered so many lovely looks and images.

I really loved almost every look from my first session. My favorite is probably the Superman t-shirt and boxers~everyone of those images fills me with delight. 

One of my ultimate favorite looks is extremely personal – from my fourth session. It is simply me; a red, hand knitted blanket I made; the first Buddhist prayer (Juzu) beads that I was given at 19 years old – when I received my gohonzon; my Sutra book and one of my favorite Buddha heads.

How are you feeling since your session? I have found each and every session to be one filled with personal growth. NO ONE ever walks into a photo session, feeling like they know exactly how to pose and what to do. Even having done it before there is still a little hesitation. I believe growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. I look forward to my next session..

Did you bring anything special with you to the studio? Why? I tried to bring something special with me to every session. This not only gives the JVZ a little more of a glimpse of who and what is important to me, it allows me to immortalize special items: my grandmother’s yarn artistry that she shared with me; my favorite t-shirt(s); my love of vintage items; books; my obsession with cardigans and hats.

How was your reveal? Every reveal has been as unique in both mood and feeling as the session. The JVZ team makes it personalized just for you. It’s not just about flipping through the photos. They set your images to music, I often find the songs are thoughtfully placed with looks. This allows you to see and “feel” your images in a unique way. 

Any advice for anyone thinking of booking a session with JVZ?  If anyone is thinking about it they should ask themselves “what is holding ME back?”

Is it finances? JVZ has payment options!

Time constraints? There are mini sessions to fit those who don’t want or feel they can do a longer session.

Nothing to wear? Your session doesn’t have to be filled with a large number or amount of lingerie. Also, there is a client closet that has a variety of pieces, accessories that can create a look or two for you. 

The Jezebel VonZephyr studio is a safe place to let loose, laugh, be creative with your outfits and allow them to help you bring out the sexy side that we as women often bury beneath all the other “roles” we take on.

Allow yourself to be reminded of the playful, powerful, worthy, sexy woman you are. Seriously, don’t hesitate!

Anything else you want to share about your session and/or experience?  The Jezebel VonZephyr team knows how personal your story is and will honor you where you are. They want to tailor your session specifically toward YOU and your unique personality.

Each woman has their own reason(s) for a session – no matter what your reason, you are not alone, or weird for wanting to do it.

A Jezebel session is about discovering and celebrating who you are, something none of us really do enough of. Treating yourself to such an empowering experience, with the images to remind you of how incredibly strong, beautiful and perfect you are right now (not 20 pounds from now) is the real treasure. Nobody can ever take that from you. And YOU won’t regret it. 

Are you ready to take a leap of faith and try something new? Do you want to see yourself as worthy, beautiful, unique and empowered? If this Belle’s story resonates with you then you should schedule a session with us! The Jezebel VonZephyr team is ready to meet you where you’re at and help you to see yourself in a new light. Growth happens when you give yourself the gift of stepping outside your comfort zone. Let Jezebel VonZephyr help you take that step. It might just change your life.